Received very sad news today that my previous guest, Gary Raymond had passed away. Just over a year ago I was joined in the studio by Gary, he came in to talk about his book BLAG, STEAL & BORROW which has gone on to be a massive success (and still available at all good book shops). He was a larger than life character and the interview was great fun. We kept in contact after the show on Twitter with Gary often retweeting and vice versa. I purchased the book after meeting Gary. He was meant to be in the studio last month but unfortunately wasn’t well enough. I have read so many wonderful words about Gary on Facebook and Twitter, a true music legend, loved and appreciated by many. x

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Joined in the studio by Gary Raymond to talk about his autobiography, BLAG, STEAL & BORROW. Gary gave us a little taster of what’s in the book and for those considering a music career or for those already trying to make it, this book will show you the funny, harsh and crazy side of the industry.

https://www.mrgaryraymond.com/index.php#blag

INTERVIEW

THE BOOK

Gary Victor Raymond was born in 1960 in East London before the family upped sticks and moved to The Cockney Del Sol seaside town of Southend-On-Sea. The pie & mash loving son of a professional drummer and publican, he had a colourful upbringing that included living in a zoo, working in a dolphinarium, listening to glam rock and watching Bruce Lee movies – sadly having no hand-eye coordination meant that he was never able to follow in his father’s footsteps and take to the stage. But it was when he started working in the music industry that he made his mark, taking 3 unsigned lads from Essex into the top 20, making music chart history, winning a gold disc and having them forever immortalised in The Guinness Book of Records. These days the father of four, having survived cancer surgery, prefers to sit in front of the television with a cup of tea cheering on his beloved Tottenham Hotspur or watching The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones and any movie about East End gangsters, leaving behind him those days in the music industry. Gary has had a number of poems published and his thoughtful poem ‘The Thrill of the Kill’ was used in an anti-hunting campaign.

REVIEWS

– Alex Fearn, Diamond Days

– Paul Baker

– Neil Jones, Arts Editor, Essex Standard

– Kurt Prinz, Goldmine Magazine