DAVID ST JOHN - AUTHOR

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David St John - Author

April 2021

I trust you are enjoying many of my web-pages (via Site map link above) containing a wealth of entertainment, 60s music, TV quizzing and much more. I have written thousands of words (for free!) across this website for many years as you can imagine, leading to publishing five books via Amazon, with another on the way. I thought it convenient to introduce this newest webpage so that it might help you to check any of them out. Thank you for your interest and if you do purchase a copy of any of these books then please leave a review on the same Amazon book page?

When you go to my 'Author page' on the Amazon website, you can see these books on one page, or just click on any of these links below each one. I have kept the pricing at the same rate, with a choice of purchasing an e-book as a digital download to your device eg phone, tablet, PC etc. Better still - why not buy a paperback which offers free postage! If you would like a personal signed copy then please e-mail me to arrange. Paperback versions reproduce images in b&w, whilst digital/e-books show any original colour photos where included.

My 2020 offering of 'Southern Roots - Part 1' is a basic autobiography that encompasses the 60s music scene of my hometown, as well as highlighting what life was like back in the 1950s when Rock'N'Roll changed many a young life. 'Baby Boomers' will revel in the nostalgia whilst younger people can get an idea of how good those 50s/60s days were - a taste of 'modern history'. Part 2 - the follow-up will be published in 2021 featuring in-depth information with rare photos of the Hampshire music makers of the late 50s onwards, so come on back to this page at a later stage.

Southern Roots - Part 1

A Rock'n'Roll Story 1958-1972

The first part of a life in show-business spanning over sixty years. From the days of Fifties Rock'n'Roll throught the Sixties and early Seventies as a singer with pop groups around the South of England. This book gives a personal insight into the ever-changing music scene of the Golden Years, with a taste of modern history centred on the author's home town of Southampton England. Hilarious stories will make you laugh in between reading about the first waves of pop groups that kick-started what lay ahead over the next few decades.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FBDYGX7

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The History of Henrys Record Shop Southampton 1956-1988

By John Clare/David St John

A fascinating look at the story of Henrys Record Shop Southampton from the Fifties to the Eighties. Fondly remembered as a local landmark by thousands of music lovers across those decades as they browsed the shelves that encompassed a wide range of tastes. This book tells of a young Welsh lad born in 1917, charting his life as a talented musician with dreams of owning his own record shop. This dream came true after a family move to Hampshire, leading to the opening of his store in 1956, with perfect timing as the new rock’n’roll craze was sweeping the country.

Henrys Records soon established itself as one of the finest outlets in the South, then elevated to its higher profile when a local fifteen year old ‘vinyl junkie’ landed his own dream job behind the counter. John Clare’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the music industry, along with his legendary personal customer service, boosted the takings to new levels by giving the customers exactly what they wanted.

The History of Henrys Records takes the reader behind the scenes of the music industry, with its highs and lows and inside looks of how it all worked back in the days when the charts dictated the ever changing tastes. This will be very nostalgic for the ‘baby boomers’, whilst younger readers will be able to see what later generations missed out on, although vinyl has made a comeback. John wrote down this basic story many years ago, merely for his own personal use until circumstances in recent times gave him the idea of getting it published via my Amazon author account. With over 100 rare photos that bring the story to life, this book represents another slice of modern history.

Some of the content appeared as a webpage dedicated to Henrys, in amongst a number of other pages that outlined much of the Sixties live music scene. Much of the information was copied across from a massive compilation written back in the early Eighties by John Clare and Terry Hounsome, named ‘Southern Roots’. Later this year (2021) sees the publication of edited material from that collection via David St John who also assisted in this book on Henrys Record Shop.

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A slice of modern history from the early days of Sixties pop music, when Hampshire groups and singers were starting out in the business. This long forgotten publication features a host of names from 1963/1964, featured in three issues of ‘The Southern Entertainer’ which were re-discovered in 2010. Overlooked until 2020, but now shared with a wider public after languishing on a webpage.

Packed with insights, record reviews, interviews as well as local cinema information and much more. A few artistes made it into the charts, whilst others simply enjoyed making music by entertaining audiences over the next few decades. Sadly losing a few on the way but keeping their memories alive as they made a mark on life.

A great offering of nostalgia for those who were there at the time, as well as a fascinating glimpse into what is what like for younger readers, many of whom are fascinated by the early days when the first round of Britpop ruled the world! It was ‘fab’…….

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QFDY8CF

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Yours Quizzically - Confessions of a TV Quiz Addict

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1973396750

David St John is a professional comedy entertainer, with a lifetime of appearing on stages across the UK and overseas, who decided to try his luck on a TV quiz show in 1982. Having won 'The Sale of the Century', he then followed up with some 34 appearances over the next thirty years, on many top-rated shows. In July 2014, David was validated by the Guinness Book of World Records, with the most TV quiz show appearances. This book offers an insight to how to apply, audition and take part in a show, along with detailed chapters on each of his individual programmes. Read about the celebrity presenters and fellow contestants, with the experience of being in a television studio, being watched by millions of viewers as David battles against the many odds. Enjoy the amusing stories, along with many jokes that relate to each show title, with contributions from some well-known names, including Gyles Brandreth, Daphne 'Egghead' Fowler and other 'Quizlings', including this well-known TV and radio quiz host who kindly sent this message

"Quiz shows and panel games are very popular in Britain and a book about their development and style, and those who present them, is what the public will enjoy reading."

Very best wishes.
NICHOLAS PARSONS December 2014

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The Life of 'Kiwi' Brian

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1677692731

The life story of an amazing man born in humble surroundings, who made his mark in casinos and nightclubs all over the world. Read about his good and bad luck through the roller coaster years that earned him millions, as well as mixing with many of the A-list celebrities. A good pal of fellow playboy Peter Stringfellow, plus matching his tally of sexual conquests, which were estimated at over 2,000! The book includes many rare unpublished photos of the famous names and places, with an insight into the gambling side of life. Brian Adamson (now 86) now living in retirement in Marbella, Spain, wanted to share his memories with the world, and who managed to visit much of it across the decades. His lifestyle may be 'frowned on' in these PC times, but this story must be viewed in context as it takes place from the 1930s. The Swinging Sixties is where it all kicks off, as Brian romped his way through many bedrooms, in between risking massive bets at the gaming tables. Southampton was the place that saw him take his first steps into the nightclub scene, leading to three decades of a show-business lifestyle that could even inspire a movie! The images are a mix of colour and B&W which accompany the story, thus enhancing the reader's enjoyment as they convey a taste of what Kiwi experienced in his star-studded life. See:

www.davidstjohn.co.uk/kiwi.html

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