I have written my first novel. After 49 years on this earth and 28 years in music/media, I have written a novel called 'Thin Pale Foursome'.
Read what other artists have said about the book:
Oh – My – God! I stayed in bed to finish your book. Why'd it have to be so good? I do other things, you know. Being an industry veteran, I've heard a few crazy stories about artists turning weird when opportunity comes knocking: demanding a penthouse suite after signing, crying on the set of a video shoot and refusing to continue because they don't like the clothes they picked out themselves. I shake my head and get frustrated that people can blow it like that. Being taken through the process and all those relationships seemed very real.
(Donna Rhoden, singer)
Wow, Lindsay, from the bottom of my heart: what an amazing book! I love Sean's character and I am not ashamed to declare my love for him. Why? He's a mover and a shaker, loyal, got music sense, has guts, knows his business and is true to his feelings. I love his humility and his strong ability to make things happen. Yes, I love him! You created your characters really well, loved the dialogue, interplay between A&R, heard the truth, you so enlightened me as to the business within the business.
(Rosemary Bain, singer)
10 out of 10 for your book! I thought it was excellent. Your book really opened my eyes to just how important management is. I really enjoyed it. Could be a wicked film too. Well done, you. I’m sooo impressed!
(Charlean Dance, singer)
Loved the story. Loved the endless phone calls (sounds like my working day) and the constant running around. I felt like I was in the book. Which for me is a sign of a good read, when the reader is catching their breath, getting weary, feeling sexy, getting excited alongside the main protagonists.
(Cat Ballou, writer)
I didn't know what to expect when I first purchased this novel, it could have been very good, very bad, or worse of all, very mediocre. However, I can say in all honesty that I loved this story for the plot, the style, and the humanity within. There was never a dry moment, never a point where I felt bored or in need of a break. I felt compelled to continue the journey along side the characters, and felt the elations and disappointments they felt along the way. Mr. Wesker has every reason to hold his head with pride for this beautiful piece of art. And I'm not easily impressed.
(Diana Hazziez, writer)
If you're an unsigned artist or manager and you REALLY want to know how the music industry works, go to http://www.lulu.com/lindsaywesker, where you can sample the novel and, if you like it, buy a copy.
Before I joined the music industry in 1981, I had aspirations to be a writer and an actor. I attended the Anna Scher Children’s Theatre (where I met Kathy Burke), The Mime Centre, and I was a member of the Royal Court Youth Theatre, where I had the privilege of being directed by Edward Bond in a Bond play. I also auditioned for numerous drama schools under a pseudonym; I wanted to get in without my father’s name, but I failed to get into any school. Guess I wasn’t good enough.
My first play was called ‘What’s So Good?’ and featured me and four friends. I hired out my local hall, Jacksons Lane Community Centre, and staged three nights. It was not great.
I then wrote a play for the students of The Mountview Theatre School called ‘Afterhours’, about a bar full of characters that live most of their life in their local tavern; the kind of place where everybody knows your name! The year is 1978. It pre-dated ‘Cheers’ by four years! I then wrote a strange two-part/two-hander called ‘Reclaimation’/’Tampon Tea’ about a married couple, both psychiatrists, who decide to treat each other. This ran for about two weeks at The Elephant Theatre in Elephant & Castle. A coach load of Japanese students arrived one day imagining it was one of my dad’s plays!
In 1980, I wrote two episodes of ‘Angels’ (a series about nurses) for BBC TV and, in 1981, I wrote a radio play for Capital Radio called 'The Grey Cloud Show' starring Anthony Scher and my mate Brian Bovell.
Another of the people I met at Anna Scher’s was the novelist Stephanie Calman who, at the time, was writing for Black Echoes newspaper. I will forever be indebted to her. When she decided to leave, she recommended me for her job. I worked at Black Echoes between 1981-83, initially as an in-house journalist, but I was later promoted to Deputy Editor in 1982. My duties included reviewing records, concerts and clubs, photographing and interviewing acts and DJs, and collating news. I got the chance to interview James Brown, Luther Vandross, George Clinton, Gil Scott-Heron, Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock, Ashford & Simpson, Madonna and Frankie Beverly, amongst many others! I also took my Canon Sureshot around the UK's clubs, taking snaps of young DJs such as Trevor Nelson and Tim Westwood. I also remember visiting The Blue Note Club in Derby with Paul Murphy and some amazing jazz dancers, who later formed themselves into a group called The Pasadenas. Whilst at Echoes, I contributed to ‘The Illustrated Encyclopaedia Of Black Music’, published by Salamander Books Ltd in 1982. I also remember the day I met up with Simon Fuller (then a music publisher) and he asked me who was "hot". I told him about a band called Direct Drive, signed to Charlie Gillet's Oval Records, featuring Paul '19' Hardcastle. The rest - as they say - is history.
In 1983, I got my first job in a record company, working as A&R Manager/
Dance Music Promotions Manager at WEA Records. My duties included project co-ordination, signing records/acts, co-ordination of club/radio promotion plus marketing of records/acts. I got the chance to work with Stan Campbell (singer on The Specials’ ‘Free Nelson Mandela’), and execs such as Rob Dickens, Paul Conroy, Max Hole, Phil Straight, John Hollingsworth, Moira Bellas, Barbara Charone and Bill Drummond. The best thing I did while I was there was licence a track called ‘Mysterious’ by Twilight 22.
In 1984, I wrote three plays that were performed at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs by the Black Theatre Co-Operative: ‘Money To Live’, ‘Basin’ and ‘God’s Second In The Command’.
In 1984, I was hired by A&M Records as an A&R Manager/Dance Music Promotions Manager. My duties included signing records/acts, project co-ordination, product management, creating radio edits, co-ordination of club/radio promotion, plus marketing of records/acts. The office contained such legendary execs as Brian Shepherd, Chris Briggs, Tony Burfield and David Rose. I signed Any Day Now, featuring ex-Direct Drive member Derek Green and David Hubbard, and we made some great music with producer Mark Berry. I also signed ex-Light Of The World member Nat Augustin, and we went to Philadelphia to work with producer Dexter Wansel, but it was a disappointing experience. I also signed Dorothy Galdez, and made a good record with her that was a club hit in Europe and America. She later changed her name to Baby D. I also created the radio edit of Atlantic Starr’s ‘Secret Lovers’, which reached No. 10 in the pop charts.
In 1986, Methuen London Ltd. published my play ‘Money To Live’. Later that year, I began DJ-ing on pirate radio station Kiss FM.
In 1987, I worked at Music Power Records, the record shop that doubled as Kiss FM's mailing address. One of our regular customers was a very bright and very funny girl called Gina Yashere. I was immediately struck by her wit, timing and delivery. "You should become a stand-up comedian," I said to her. She looked at me like I was mad!
In 1988, I joined the Kiss FM office. My work included raising money to fund the campaign for legalisation and writing the application form to apply for licence. In order to raise money, we created a magazine called free!, which I edited. It later became known as Touch. We also founded a record label called Kiss Records and released some amazing compilation albums. If you ever see a vinyl album entitled 'Boogie Tunes': snap it up!
As Head Of Music at the legal Kiss 100 FM, by first job was to stage the launch day concert in Highbury Fields, which featured LL Cool J, Ten City, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Aswad, The Chimes, Loose Ends, Caron Wheeler, Diana Brown & Barrie K. Sharpe, The Pasadenas and Beats International. My day-to-day duties as Head Of Music included creating a daytime music policy, creating a library, and appointing and managing a librarian (Alex Jones-Donnelly, formerly Editor Of Music Policy at Radio One). I also turned one of our production staff into a broadcaster (former Radio One presenter Sarah HB), and one of my interns is now a successful TV presenter (June Sarpong).
I was also a broadcaster on Kiss FM in various time slots. During 1994, I broadcasted five days a week, Monday-Friday 04:00-07:00. (04:00-06:00 was 100% talk and phone-in.)
During this time, I also created The International Dance Awards, a charity awards ceremony and concert for Kiss, Disco Mix Club and The Dance Aid Trust. The first IDA took place on January 19, 1994 at Labatt's Apollo and featured Dina Carroll, M People, The Prodigy, Gabrielle, Ce Ce Peniston, Apache Indian, Juliet Roberts, The Shamen + D:Ream.
In 1992, Music Box/Granada Television wanted a contemporary replacement for ‘The Hitman And Her’, so I created a TV programme for them called 'B.P.M.' I almost got the chance to present it, but my mate Dave Dorrell got the gig.
In 1993, I compiled the No. 1 compilation 'The Sound Of Kiss 100 FM' for Polygram TV.
In 1995, I was Principal Co-ordinator of The 2nd International Dance Awards (sponsored by Levi’s). The event took place on January 22 and featured Eternal, Aswad, Michelle Gayle, C + C Music Factory, Sounds Of Blackness, Juliet Roberts, Carleen Anderson + Reel 2 Real. Later that year, I compiled 'Club Classics 95' Volumes One and Two for Connoisseur Collection. I also compiled 'Classic 80's Groove Mastercuts Volume 2' for Beechwood Music. In the same year, I presented shows on Jazz FM 102.2 (now known as Smooth FM), including deputising for Greg Edwards on his legendary ‘Soul Spectrum’ show.
Later that year, I became A&R and Project Manager for Japanese label Avex UK. My duties included A&R/product management & marketing of existing roster, new compilation concepts, artist/corporate press, radio/club promotions and signing new acts. I signed Elisha La Verne, but was prevented from being her A&R man (but that’s another story!) I also project-managed a three-piece girl group called TSD, featuring ex-Steps member Claire Richards. I also licensed a wicked album by a Swedish rap act called Goldmine.
In 1995, I worked for GWR, Mentorn Films and Choice FM on a licence application for 'Yorkshire' ILR station. It failed. In 1996, I worked for Mentorn Films and Choice FM on a licence application for 'East Of England' and 'Solent' ILR stations. They both failed. No wonder local radio is so dull!
Between 1996 and 1997, I presented the weekly 'GLR Soul Show' on BBC Greater London Radio (GLR 94.9). At the same time, I interviewed artists for BBC World Service, and also conceived, compiled and wrote sleeve notes for 'Every Shade Of Groove' for Debutante/Polygram Records.
In 1997, I became Senior Marketing Manager at Australian label Mushroom Records, working with Korda Marshall, Karen Christie and all the gang! I was specifically employed to be completely responsible for one particular artist. My duties included all aspects of A&R, marketing, supervision of all aspects of promotion and PR, supervision of photographs and videos, plus supervision of live band and live appearances.
Later that year, I became Senior Marketing Manager at Sarm Management/ZTT Records. I was employed by Sarm Management to manage record producers, mixers, engineers, and editors. I was also employed by ZTT Records to fulfil A&R and marketing duties. Another disappointing experience.
On May 17, 1999, I joined MTV Networks Europe. I was initially employed by MTV to create R&B and hip hop TV station MTV Base but, as time has passed, I have acquired more responsibilities. Having been asked to create a TV station for 10-15 year-old girls, I created MTV Hits. Since then, I have created MTV Dance. I sit on the playlist committee that decides all 9 MTVNE playlists. I physically programme both MTV Base and VH1 Classic 24 hours of every day. I also create shows, strands and theme weeks/weekends.
You can also hear my weekly radio 'The A-Z Of Colourful Music' every Saturday at 1.00pm GMT on www.iamcolourful.com and on DAB all across London
Here is an LBC Radio interview that I did with Adrian Allen (copy and paste on to your browser): http://www.esnips.com/doc/388c278d-dbef-4577-9676-d5377209b438/LBC-Interview
This is me reading the first three pages of my novel (copy and paste on to your browser):
http://www.esnips.com/doc/e9efafb4-f2ba-4a16-b90c-02fa7110afa7/First-Draft
Online Now!
...enjoy your day
Hope you had a great Halloween!!! Hugs xxxxxxxxxx
