Graham Parker was once a petrol pump attendant in Camberley where he lived.

In 1975 Graham made some demos at the 'Hope and Anchor' studios in Islington. The studio was being run by Dave Robinson who used the basement of his pub as a regular gig for rock acts. 'The Hope' was to become the centre of what we now know as pub rock.

Robinson, impressed by the quality of Graham's songs got his friend, D.J. Charlie Gillett, to play one of the demos on his Sunday morning show. By Monday evening Graham was on the way to his first record contract.

Using some highly respected musicians for his band, now known as 'The Rumour', Graham made his first album 'Howling Wind'. Early reviews quoted him as being a new Dylan or Van Morrison. Though there was a definate trace of influence by others it was soon apparent to critics and audiences alike that Graham Parker and the Rumour were far more than copyists and were creating new musical areas of their own.

By 1977 Graham had had released three top twenty LP's and a top thorty single 'Hold Back The Night'. In Britain and America his live performances were always sold out and Rolling Stone voted him as best new artist of the year.

In 1978 Graham toured Japan, New Zealand and Australia breaking box office records. On his return to England Graham was asked to be a guest by Bob Dylan at his Blackbush show. 200,000 people attended.

1979 saw the release of 'Squeezing Out Sparks' an album produced by Jack Nitzsche who had previously worked with Neil Young and was Phil Spector's arranger during his most successful years. 'Sparks' was to become 'Best album of 1979' in countless papers in Britain and America and finally took Graham to the wider audience he had long deserved in the USA.

The spring of 1980 will see the release of a new Graham Parker album and a new Graham Parker book.

The album is produced by Jimmy Iovine who has recently found success with Tom Petty and previously worked with Bruce Springsteen.

The book, 'The Great Trouser Mystery' is a fictional story of a future world where music is a medically prescribed therapy. The imaginary world of 'The Large Squad' is brightly illustrated by Willy Smax.

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Further Rumours about Graham Parker from Nigel Dick
01-289-6221