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Tim Lott

Tim Lott

Tim Lott was born in Southall, West London in 1956. After a career in journalism, his first book, The Scent of Dried Roses, a memoir, was published in 1996 and won the PEN/JR Ackerley Prize for Autobiography.  His first novel, White City Blue, (1999) a contemporary portrait of friendship and rivalry between a group of young single men, won the Whitbread First Novel Award. It was followed by Rumours of Hurricane (2002), a portrait of working class life in Britain in the 1980’s, which was shortlisted for the Whitbread Novel Award.  

The Love Secrets of Don Juan (2003) explored the emotional terrain of divorce in middle age, while The Seymour Tapes (2005) was an experimental novel dealing with modern surveillance and its impact on family life.  

His first Young Adult novel, Fearless, was published in 2007 by Walker Books. It is a mythic, political, dystopian fable a group of 1000 girls confined to an Institute in a time of terror.  Fearless was shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Book award and won a number of local and regional school awards.

His latest novel, Under the Same Stars (April 2012) tells the story of two estranged brothers travelling across America in search of the father who abandoned them 20 years previously.

Tim Lott appears on TV and Radio as a commentator and critic. His authored documentary, The New Middle Classes was broadcast on BBC Four. He writes for a wide range of national magazines and newspapers and is a prolific travel journalist.

He lives in Kensal Green, North West London, with his wife, Rachael, a lecturer in English. He has four daughters, ranging in age between 5 and 18 years.

His column on family matters appears weekly in the Guardian Family section.

Tim Lott's website

52 articles

List of articles in the library

By date | By artist | Most recently added

War: California Ballroom, Dunstable

Live Review by Tim Lott, Melody Maker, 19 June 1976

CLICK, WHIRR. This isn't a group, it's a living disco. The Jukebox is War. The dive is the California Ballroom, Dunstable. Burly evening-suited men flanking ...

Jess Roden: Who nose where the time goes

Interview by Tim Lott, Sounds, 20 November 1976

Twelve years of Jess Roden ...

Joni Mitchell: Hejira (Asylum K53053) *****

Review by Tim Lott, Sounds, 27 November 1976

The tip of the iceberg ...

The Carpenters: Palladium, London

Live Review by Tim Lott, Sounds, 4 December 1976

THE CARPENTERS: A PLAY IN TWO ACTS BY TIM LOTT ...

The Eagles: Eagles: Hotel California (Asylum K5 3051)*****

Review by Tim Lott, Sounds, 11 December 1976

Eagles: back in the fast lane ...

Steely Dan: The Strange World of Steely Dan

Interview by Tim Lott, Sounds, 25 December 1976

A lyrical exposée by TIM LOTT ...

David Bowie: Innovation to Innovation — David Bowie: Low (RCA Records RS 1108) *****

Review by Tim Lott, Sounds, 15 January 1977

Tim Lott plots the high contrast in the Thin One's new Low record. ...

Fleetwood Mac: Rumours (Warner 56344)****

Review by Tim Lott, Sounds, 12 February 1977

Hack backs Mac ...

ABBA: Don't step on my blue Swede shoes — ABBA: Odeon, Birmingham

Live Review by Tim Lott, Sounds, 19 February 1977

TIM LOTT (only previous contact with Scandinavian culture: a lunchtime viewing of Danish Dentist On The Job at the Greek Street Cinema Club, members only) ...

Be Bop Deluxe: Hammersmith Odeon, London

Live Review by Tim Lott, Sounds, 2 April 1977

Be Bop 'N Boredom ...

Fleetwood Mac: Lovesick Limeys + Amorous Americans = The Mac Factor

Report and Interview by Tim Lott, Sounds, 16 April 1977

But you don't want to read yet more about the romance and heartache that is Fleetwood Mac, do you? We thought not, so we asked ...

Dr. Feelgood: Doctor Feelgood: How's The New Boy Settling In, Chaps?

Report and Interview by Tim Lott, Sounds, 28 May 1977

Jolly well, it seems. It's smiles all round as DOCTOR FEELGOOD introduce new chap John Mayo to keen young cub reporter TIM LOTT (15). ...

Blondie, Television: Television/Blondie: Apollo, Glasgow

Live Review by Tim Lott, Sounds, 28 May 1977

Television revelation ...

The Vibrators: Winning Post, Twickenham

Live Review by Tim Lott, Sounds, 28 May 1977

OUT IN Twickenham, they haven't really made up their mind. ...

Heart: Little Queen (CBS import)***

Review by Tim Lott, Sounds, 4 June 1977

Heart heading for the MOR ...

Roogalator, the Yachts: Nashville, London

Live Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 10 September 1977

THIS LEAD singer, John Joe Janies Campbell, looks ridiculous. Not because he's got green pubes or anything, he just moves funny onstage and grins all ...

David Bowie, The Stranglers: David Bowie: 'Heroes' (RCA); The Stranglers: 'No More Heroes' (United Artists UP 36300)

Review by Tim Lott, Rosalind Russell, Record Mirror, 17 September 1977

He says there are... ...

Aswad, Chelsea, The Doctors of Madness, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Lew Lewis, Slaughter and the Dogs: Eddie & the Hot Rods, Lew Lewis, Chelsea, Aswad et al: Punk Festival, Chelmsford City Football Stadium

Live Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 24 September 1977

And we don't careThe message: punk's now a business ...

David Bowie, Eddie & The Hot Rods: The Thin White Duke Has Gone. Here's The New David Bowie

Report and Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 24 September 1977

THE TONE is final. This negative is as impenetrable as it is predictable. "No." ...

Ian Dury: New Boots And Panties (Stiff SEEZ4)

Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 1 October 1977

Dury's Verdict ...

X-Ray Spex: Vortex, London

Live Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 1 October 1977

Tell Laura I love her ...

David Bowie: 'Heroes' (RCA PL 12622)

Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 8 October 1977

Bowie and blind faith ...

Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Nick Lowe, Wreckless Eric: Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Wreckless Eric — Bunch Of Stiffs Tour: Town Hall, High Wycombe

Live Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 8 October 1977

A stiff undertaking ...

Jonathan Richman: If I Were A Richman...

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 8 October 1977

Does Jonathan still love the modern world? TIM LOTT finds out — or does he? ...

ABBA: Case No 584938657 (B) The Imperial State of Newave vs Ulvaeus

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 15 October 1977

Presided by Judge JoepublicCounsel for the Prosecution: Anne R. Quay, QCCounsel for the Defence: Joecon Sumer THE ABBA TAPES Transcription by TIM LOTT ...

Iggy Pop: Unpredictable Iggy

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 15 October 1977

TIM LOTT meets Iggy Pop/The Ig/James Newell Osterburg/Idiot/Genius the man of many tangents ...

Amanda Lear: Blood Sex and Lears

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 29 October 1977

IN 1973 I fell in love. She was a photograph, a blue-black animal with a panther on a leash. She was with another, a man ...

Dr. Feelgood, Wilko Johnson: Wilko Johnson: Would You Go And See The Relentless Kings Of Terror?

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 29 October 1977

WILKO JOHNSON wouldn't. But TIM LOTT we're not sure about ...

XTC: An Everyday Story Of Country Punks

Report and Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 29 October 1977

TIM LOTT visits them at The Manor ...

Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe: Dave Edmunds: Roundhouse, London

Live Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 5 November 1977

SOME PEOPLE said it was too loud, but I wanted it louder, LOUDER, LOUDER. This is rock 'n' roll fury. ...

The Clash: Head On Clash

Report by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 12 November 1977

TIM LOTT battles with Joe Strummer's boys and comes out dazed. ...

The Motors, Wishbone Ash: Souped-Up Motors

Report by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 12 November 1977

TIM LOTT takes off with THE MOTORS ...

Cheap Trick, The Motors: The Spectrum, Philadelphia PA

Live Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 16 November 1977

WASN'T IT W.C .Fields who had on his tombstone — "Things could be worse. I could be in Philadelphia." ...

Dr. Feelgood: CBGB's, New York NY

Live Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 26 November 1977

GET THIS straight before we go one word further. This review is not going to be interesting. There is so little to be said about ...

Talking Heads: David Byrne: Talking Off The Top Of His Head

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 11 February 1978

I HAVE THIS talking head in front of me. In his talking mouth he is spooning scrambled eggs and bacon. So much for input. The ...

Kraftwerk: The Man Machine (Capitol EST 11728(1)

Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 6 May 1978

KRAFTY KRAUTS REALLY WERK! ...

Blue Öyster Cult: Apollo, Glasgow

Live Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 13 May 1978

Smokey Blue ...

Ronnie Biggs, Sex Pistols: The Sex Pistols: Biggsy

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 15 July 1978

Ronald Biggs, one of the Great Train Robbers, speaks to TIM LOTT from Rio. Biggs under his new guise as punk poet talks about his ...

Kraftwerk: You're never alone with a clone

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 29 July 1978

Tim Lott observes the kraft of Kraftwerk ...

Kate Bush: Tête a Kate

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 7 October 1978

The rock and roll business usually brings up its fair share of prima donnas, ready to grab what they can and cast off their friends ...

Cerrone: The Product

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 21 October 1978

TIM LOTT examines the French disco machinery of Cerrone ...

John Cooper Clarke: Disguise In Love (CBS 83132)

Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 28 October 1978

Disguise in sane ...

X-Ray Spex: Maturity Is Next: X-Ray Spex: Germ Free Adolescents (EMI)

Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 18 November 1978

SOUNDS FOR sophisticated head-bangers, noises for Nembuthal nights. X-Ray Spex carry the standard of 1977 (which reads fun) on the flagpole of 1979 (constructed from ...

Boney M: Babylon on a Thin Wire

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 16 December 1978

TIM LOTT meets the lead voice of Boney M, Liz Mitchell ...

Queen: The Crowning of Queen

Report and Interview by Tim Lott, Daily Mail, Spring 1978

FREDDIE MERCURY appears on stage like a writhing python, stalking the boards in the black leotard he normally wears. Looking rather like an Edwardian one-piece ...

Jean Michel Jarre: A Jarre With Bottle

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 3 March 1979

OR YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A LOUT TO HAVE CLOUT ...

David Bowie: Lodger (RCA)

Review by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 5 May 1979

THE ARTFUL LODGER: TIM LOTT exclusively reviews the new David Bowie album, Lodger ...

The B-52s: I Belong to Dada

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 14 July 1979

TIM LOTT flies with the B-52s ...

Boney Mutiny

Interview by Tim Lott, Smash Hits, 18 October 1979

Seems life isn't so sunny after all for a brown girl in the ring, Liz Mitchell explains to Tim Lott. ...

Shalamar, The Whispers: Sex and the Solar People

Report and Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 1 March 1980

TIM LOTT goes to LA to watch the glitter and tinsel of the biggest thing happening in black music at the moment ...

The Beat: The Mad Hatters

Interview by Tim Lott, Record Mirror, 15 March 1980

They don't all wear hats and they're not all mad but The Beat definitely admit to being reds. ...

Flexipop!'s shameless pop legacy

Retrospective by Tim Lott, The Guardian, 4 February 2010

Trashy, silly and unashamedly puerile, Flexipop! only lasted two years. But, says novelist Tim Lott, who started the magazine, its revolutionary spirit can still be ...

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