Author Archives: John S

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About John S

I'm blogging about the things I love: music, sport, culture, London, with some photos to illustrate aspects of our wonderful city. I’ve written a novel called “The Decision”, a futuristic political thriller, and first of a trilogy. I’m also the author of a book on music since the 1970s called “ I Was There - A Musical Journey” and a volume of poetry about youth, “Growin’ Up - Snapshots/ Fragments”. All available on Amazon and Kindle.

David Bowie, 1947-2016

Posted on January 11, 2016 by John S

Got your mother in a whirl… 7.10 this morning. I drag myself out of bed. I check my iPhone for messages. A Guardian news alert. “David Bowie has died, aged 69”. I’m kind of stunned. This can’t be. He’s just … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Sportsthoughts (143) – The Mighty Quins: Harlequins 29, Saracens 23!

Posted on January 10, 2016 by John S

Yesterday we watched what must have been the best game of rugby at the Stoop since when? Maybe when we beat Leicester 32-12 in January 2015? My friend Jon was suggesting the heroics against Stade Francais in 2008! After last … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Sportsthoughts (142) – Premier League at Half Time

Posted on December 31, 2015 by John S

19 games gone and 2015 almost at an end. A good time to review those predictions and speculate a little about the second half of the season. Well, in August I was finding it hard to see beyond Chelsea for … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

RIP Lemmy

Posted on December 29, 2015 by John S

Lemmy – Ian Kilmister – died yesterday. Although it was an aggressive cancer that got him in the end, he’d been unwell for a while. But this is a man who lived the rock’n’roll lifestyle and was wedded to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

2015 – A Year in Music

Posted on December 28, 2015 by John S

Today I finished the editing and indexing of my music book, “I Was There – A Musical Journey”. Next steps: finalise cover pictures and find a printer. Early not-for-sale edition to friends and family while I work out what to … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

lovelondonscenes – 106 – Christmas greetings!

Posted on December 24, 2015 by John S

The Christmas lights on Regent Street. Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A magnificent three: Star Wars, Jane Eyre, Hunger Games

Posted on December 23, 2015 by John S

In the the last few days I’ve been to two awesome films and a wonderful piece of theatre. A great cultural finish to 2015 – assuming there won’t be too much of that in the next few days! First up, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

My Top Ten – Albums of 2015

Posted on December 11, 2015 by John S

It’s that time of year when it has to be done – my top ten albums of 2015! I had more candidates this year than in previous ones, as I’ve spent a lot of time listening BBC 6 Music and … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Importance of the European Union

Posted on December 9, 2015 by John S

If you have an aversion for political commentary, look away! Not party political – I don’t do that because of my job. This was prompted by my experience these last two days. I’ve just been to Zagreb, in Croatia, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Random stuff | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Have You Heard? – (70) “Light on our Limbs” by Daisy Vaughan

Posted on December 3, 2015 by John S

So we had one beautiful album earlier this week with Astrid Williamson – this is even better! I first heard Daisy Vaughan on Marc Riley (BBC 6 Music) back in September. The track was “Earth, Let Me In”. I thought, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , | 2 Comments