What Kevin Armstrong learnt as the sideman for Bowie, McCartney, Morrissey, Sinead and Iggy Pop

Kevin Armstrong was the guitarist in the band David Bowie asked him to assemble for Live Aid and toured and recorded with him many times. Playing the guitar intro to Rebel Rebel in a stadium, he says, is “like lighting a match”. Start the Passenger with Iggy Pop and you’re greeted with “a great mass of love”. His memoir, Absolute Beginner, is “a window onto the high table of rock and roll” and full of insights into life in studios and on the road and the fathomless levels of diplomacy often required to collaborate. This entertaining pod expands upon …
… why he turned down the offer to join the Smiths.
… how Jim Osterberg transforms himself into Iggy Pop.
… the Sinead O’Connor’s tour manager’s trick to speed the band through security.
… the song Bowie dropped from the Live Aid set.
… why Michael Hutchence is “terrified of small crowds”.
… Bowie’s ex-Navy Seal minder and the old decoys-under-blankets ruse.
… why Morrissey is “thin-skinned”.
… and the eternal curse of “Imposter Syndrome”.

Order ‘Absolute Beginner’ here …
www.amazon.co.uk/Absolute-Beg...
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[@foxbasealpha]

Thank goodness Kevin helped to seal The Smiths’ legacy by turning down Moz.

[@markybudgen5889]

Thoroughly enjoyed this , I could listen to Kevin constantly. What great insight into the musicians he worked and works with. The Local Heroes albums are a must listen👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@WalkerHornung]

Wonderful job...great interview...I feel I should add...as someone who has been lucky to know him and perform with him...this guy is an absolute gent and talent...and selfless...lending both his EQ and his incredible guitar work....Go to LUST FOR LIFE tour this year...its off the chain and worth it

[@danieladams9950]

Brilliant interview. Mark and Kevin at top of their game.

[@markbuckley278]

What a wonderful interview. Concise questions and erudite answers. A lovely way to spend 30 minutes.

[@jonnyduk3968]

Really enjoyed listening to this. Great interview.

[@neilb224]

Lovely stuff. Well done boys 👍

[@macgregordespitethem]

I started fiddling with friends guitars (Normil Hawiians) early twenties....Kevin took me to a guitar shop in Croydon 1985....got a fender acoustic ...my first guitar....a few months later he asked me... how am I getting on with it ? I said I think I have a song...without a second of hesitatation,,,he said ok then lets record it....that was my first experience....he gave me (amongst other things ) a wee bit of confidence and got me going ? truth is if it wasnt for those two moments Id have never done anything ? thats true...a year later I was part of some Trojan Dub records done at Thameside studio...with Vivian Weathers ( the first three Linton Kwesi Johnson albums ) that Vivian...Lee Scratch Perry was in studio etc....I played lead and finger picking ? on that acoustic guitar....Vivian insisted etc...the records are What Is Man....and Hanging on twelve inch with Dub versions....I could say more....hes' a bonnie lad indeed ....x PS Aye playing on occasions with Normil Hawiians ...jayz we have a new one coming out on upset the rythm label....after thirty odd years....great channel this...anyway best to all x

[@paulabraham4179]

Amazing stuff! I had a mate called Wilf and think he played bass in Normal Hawiians?

[@michaelellison9547]

Believe me, the story he tells in the introduction to Absolute Beginners is worth the price of admission on its own.

[@professoryaffle]

Great interview. Fascinating stuff. What make is that amp in the background? I can’t make it out.

[@claymor8241]

A good listen, definitely piqued my interest in getting the book.

[@Mac-ku3xu]

So maybe he knows McCartney's big secret.

[@Smudgie]

"... and don't call someone you might want to work with a c***"

[@macgregordespitethem]

come on lad I know you dont mean it ?

[@macgregordespitethem]

Jimmy here x