Richard Balls
@musicbiographer.bsky.social
Music fan and author A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan, Be Stiff: The Stiff Records Story, and Sex & Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Life of Ian Dury. Norwich City fan.
When Judee Sill died on 23 November 1979, it was a tragic loss to music. Her self-titled debut album and its follow up Heart Food were heavenly, and validated David Geffen’s decision to make her his first signing to Asylum. Check out these beautiful records and tell your friends.
November 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
When Judee Sill died on 23 November 1979, it was a tragic loss to music. Her self-titled debut album and its follow up Heart Food were heavenly, and validated David Geffen’s decision to make her his first signing to Asylum. Check out these beautiful records and tell your friends.
Reposted by Richard Balls
Be Stiif: The Stiff Records Story is available now. Get your copy here!
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
November 13, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Be Stiif: The Stiff Records Story is available now. Get your copy here!
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan is available in paperback and would make an ideal gift for Christmas 🎅
You can buy a copy here
www.amazon.co.uk/Furious-Devo...
You can buy a copy here
www.amazon.co.uk/Furious-Devo...
November 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan is available in paperback and would make an ideal gift for Christmas 🎅
You can buy a copy here
www.amazon.co.uk/Furious-Devo...
You can buy a copy here
www.amazon.co.uk/Furious-Devo...
The club is rotten from top to bottom. Arrogant off the field and utterly lifeless on it.
The relationship with us - the fans - won’t be rebuilt while Webber remains in charge, and the squad won’t improve if Knapper continues to recruit.
We must keep up the pressure.
#ncfc
The relationship with us - the fans - won’t be rebuilt while Webber remains in charge, and the squad won’t improve if Knapper continues to recruit.
We must keep up the pressure.
#ncfc
November 23, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The club is rotten from top to bottom. Arrogant off the field and utterly lifeless on it.
The relationship with us - the fans - won’t be rebuilt while Webber remains in charge, and the squad won’t improve if Knapper continues to recruit.
We must keep up the pressure.
#ncfc
The relationship with us - the fans - won’t be rebuilt while Webber remains in charge, and the squad won’t improve if Knapper continues to recruit.
We must keep up the pressure.
#ncfc
Bruce Springsteen’s wrangle with Columbia over the release of Nebraska feels like a small hook in which to hang a two-hour film.
However, its power is that it focuses on his agonising struggles with depression before the megastardom that was to come. A triumph.
#springsteen
However, its power is that it focuses on his agonising struggles with depression before the megastardom that was to come. A triumph.
#springsteen
November 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Bruce Springsteen’s wrangle with Columbia over the release of Nebraska feels like a small hook in which to hang a two-hour film.
However, its power is that it focuses on his agonising struggles with depression before the megastardom that was to come. A triumph.
#springsteen
However, its power is that it focuses on his agonising struggles with depression before the megastardom that was to come. A triumph.
#springsteen
A date for the diary if you’re a Pogues fan. The Pogue Traders are at The Waterfront in Norwich on Saturday6 December and they’re a brilliant live band. A proper knees-up is in store.
Get your tickets here.
ueaticketbookings.co.uk/event/the-pogu…#norwichc#gigig
Get your tickets here.
ueaticketbookings.co.uk/event/the-pogu…#norwichc#gigig
November 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A date for the diary if you’re a Pogues fan. The Pogue Traders are at The Waterfront in Norwich on Saturday6 December and they’re a brilliant live band. A proper knees-up is in store.
Get your tickets here.
ueaticketbookings.co.uk/event/the-pogu…#norwichc#gigig
Get your tickets here.
ueaticketbookings.co.uk/event/the-pogu…#norwichc#gigig
Be Stiif: The Stiff Records Story is available now. Get your copy here!
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
November 13, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Be Stiif: The Stiff Records Story is available now. Get your copy here!
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
Amid the absolute chaos engulfing our club, the excellent and honest coverage from our local media has been constant. The club has lost touch with the fans, but they haven’t.
Cheers @chrisgoreham.bsky.social
@chrisreevo.bsky.social @jackreeves.bsky.social @bobrutler.bsky.social and the EDP!
#ncfc
Cheers @chrisgoreham.bsky.social
@chrisreevo.bsky.social @jackreeves.bsky.social @bobrutler.bsky.social and the EDP!
#ncfc
November 9, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Amid the absolute chaos engulfing our club, the excellent and honest coverage from our local media has been constant. The club has lost touch with the fans, but they haven’t.
Cheers @chrisgoreham.bsky.social
@chrisreevo.bsky.social @jackreeves.bsky.social @bobrutler.bsky.social and the EDP!
#ncfc
Cheers @chrisgoreham.bsky.social
@chrisreevo.bsky.social @jackreeves.bsky.social @bobrutler.bsky.social and the EDP!
#ncfc
Today is one of those very rare occasions when it would be in the club’s best interests to lose.
Knapper and Manning both need to go if we are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation. A draw or win will only prolong the inevitable.
Knapper Out. Manning Out.
#ncfc
Knapper and Manning both need to go if we are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation. A draw or win will only prolong the inevitable.
Knapper Out. Manning Out.
#ncfc
November 8, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Today is one of those very rare occasions when it would be in the club’s best interests to lose.
Knapper and Manning both need to go if we are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation. A draw or win will only prolong the inevitable.
Knapper Out. Manning Out.
#ncfc
Knapper and Manning both need to go if we are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation. A draw or win will only prolong the inevitable.
Knapper Out. Manning Out.
#ncfc
Gilson Lavis was one of the first drummers I became aware of and got to love as a young pop fan. Very sad to hear of his passing.
RIP Gilson Lavis, the legendary English drummer and portrait artist. Best known for his work with Squeeze and later Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, he also painted icons like Dylan, Hendrix, and Smokey Robinson. He was 74.
November 8, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Gilson Lavis was one of the first drummers I became aware of and got to love as a young pop fan. Very sad to hear of his passing.
Yesterday’s statement proved that the club no longer knows how to communicate with its most valuable asset of all - the fans.
How on earth did Knapper think it was a good idea to tell us how the timing of JHT’s sacking allowed us to get the best manager? 🤦♂️
#ncfc #Norwich
How on earth did Knapper think it was a good idea to tell us how the timing of JHT’s sacking allowed us to get the best manager? 🤦♂️
#ncfc #Norwich
November 8, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a Norwich so shot to pieces as this one.
No hunger to be first to the ball.
No belief that we can win games.
No mental resilience.
No fight.
This has to end here.
Knapper out, Manning out, Adams out.
#ncfc
No hunger to be first to the ball.
No belief that we can win games.
No mental resilience.
No fight.
This has to end here.
Knapper out, Manning out, Adams out.
#ncfc
November 5, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a Norwich so shot to pieces as this one.
No hunger to be first to the ball.
No belief that we can win games.
No mental resilience.
No fight.
This has to end here.
Knapper out, Manning out, Adams out.
#ncfc
No hunger to be first to the ball.
No belief that we can win games.
No mental resilience.
No fight.
This has to end here.
Knapper out, Manning out, Adams out.
#ncfc
Reposted by Richard Balls
@musicbiographer.bsky.social Coming up for auction in the Netherlands - Sparks' first appearance in Norwich in 1972!
November 3, 2025 at 6:32 PM
@musicbiographer.bsky.social Coming up for auction in the Netherlands - Sparks' first appearance in Norwich in 1972!
Reposted by Richard Balls
I have two - TWO - of these gorgeous original A4 meadow hare linoprints by my mum, Jo, to give away to a couple of lucky people here on Bluesky today.
Rules are simple: to be in with a chance to win, you just have to repost this piece I wrote about Jo and her art: www.tom-cox.com/the-magic-ro...
Rules are simple: to be in with a chance to win, you just have to repost this piece I wrote about Jo and her art: www.tom-cox.com/the-magic-ro...
November 5, 2025 at 12:39 PM
I have two - TWO - of these gorgeous original A4 meadow hare linoprints by my mum, Jo, to give away to a couple of lucky people here on Bluesky today.
Rules are simple: to be in with a chance to win, you just have to repost this piece I wrote about Jo and her art: www.tom-cox.com/the-magic-ro...
Rules are simple: to be in with a chance to win, you just have to repost this piece I wrote about Jo and her art: www.tom-cox.com/the-magic-ro...
November 2, 2025 at 3:06 PM
November 2, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Vinyl nerds tore themselves away from their turntables and headed to @theforumnorwich.bsky.social last night to watch The Vinyl Revival, a short documentary and a panel discussion afterwards. Enjoyable session and thanks to Norwich Book Festival for organising.
#vinyl #records #norwich
#vinyl #records #norwich
October 31, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Vinyl nerds tore themselves away from their turntables and headed to @theforumnorwich.bsky.social last night to watch The Vinyl Revival, a short documentary and a panel discussion afterwards. Enjoyable session and thanks to Norwich Book Festival for organising.
#vinyl #records #norwich
#vinyl #records #norwich
The highlight of the Mark Attanasio Canary Call on @bbcnorfolk.bsky.social
on Wednesday was the opening question from Bridget James, who nailed it with a devastating assessment of where the club is. She consistently pinpoints the club’s failings and is a formidable fan voice.
#ncfc
on Wednesday was the opening question from Bridget James, who nailed it with a devastating assessment of where the club is. She consistently pinpoints the club’s failings and is a formidable fan voice.
#ncfc
October 31, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The highlight of the Mark Attanasio Canary Call on @bbcnorfolk.bsky.social
on Wednesday was the opening question from Bridget James, who nailed it with a devastating assessment of where the club is. She consistently pinpoints the club’s failings and is a formidable fan voice.
#ncfc
on Wednesday was the opening question from Bridget James, who nailed it with a devastating assessment of where the club is. She consistently pinpoints the club’s failings and is a formidable fan voice.
#ncfc
Big respect to Mark Attanasio for doing Canary Call.
One of my bugbears about his predecessors was their lack of engagement with the local media and preference for interviews with national paywalled press.
The club is in crisis but at least he is leading from the front.
#ncfc
One of my bugbears about his predecessors was their lack of engagement with the local media and preference for interviews with national paywalled press.
The club is in crisis but at least he is leading from the front.
#ncfc
October 31, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Big respect to Mark Attanasio for doing Canary Call.
One of my bugbears about his predecessors was their lack of engagement with the local media and preference for interviews with national paywalled press.
The club is in crisis but at least he is leading from the front.
#ncfc
One of my bugbears about his predecessors was their lack of engagement with the local media and preference for interviews with national paywalled press.
The club is in crisis but at least he is leading from the front.
#ncfc
I can’t help thinking the club has scored a massive own goal over Attanasio’s Canary Call in allowing fans and media to think he was coming in response to the current crisis, only to say he was coming anyway and has full confidence in all concerned. So utterly out of touch with the fanbase.
#ncfc
#ncfc
October 28, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I can’t help thinking the club has scored a massive own goal over Attanasio’s Canary Call in allowing fans and media to think he was coming in response to the current crisis, only to say he was coming anyway and has full confidence in all concerned. So utterly out of touch with the fanbase.
#ncfc
#ncfc
Watching The Blue Nile performing Body And Soul in 1996, part of 40 Hidden Music Treasures at the BBC Vol 1. Pure bliss.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
October 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Watching The Blue Nile performing Body And Soul in 1996, part of 40 Hidden Music Treasures at the BBC Vol 1. Pure bliss.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
What a fine President of Ireland Michael D.Higgins has been, a wonderful ambassador for the country and a passionate champion of its culture.
Here he is with Shane MacGowan after presenting him with his National Concert Hall Lifetime Achievement Award at his 60th birthday celebrations.
#Ireland
Here he is with Shane MacGowan after presenting him with his National Concert Hall Lifetime Achievement Award at his 60th birthday celebrations.
#Ireland
October 26, 2025 at 8:27 PM
What a fine President of Ireland Michael D.Higgins has been, a wonderful ambassador for the country and a passionate champion of its culture.
Here he is with Shane MacGowan after presenting him with his National Concert Hall Lifetime Achievement Award at his 60th birthday celebrations.
#Ireland
Here he is with Shane MacGowan after presenting him with his National Concert Hall Lifetime Achievement Award at his 60th birthday celebrations.
#Ireland
I cannot recommend this highly enough. Extraordinary performances and fascinating stories about the artists and history of the songs (btw this is Vol 2).
The Jam tearing it up with Eton Rifles on the Manchester show Something Else just one of many highlights.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
The Jam tearing it up with Eton Rifles on the Manchester show Something Else just one of many highlights.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Two - 40 Hidden Music Treasures at the BBC, Volume 2
Another deep dive into the BBC’s music archives to uncover 40 rarely seen performances.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I cannot recommend this highly enough. Extraordinary performances and fascinating stories about the artists and history of the songs (btw this is Vol 2).
The Jam tearing it up with Eton Rifles on the Manchester show Something Else just one of many highlights.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
The Jam tearing it up with Eton Rifles on the Manchester show Something Else just one of many highlights.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...