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interested in its present than its history.
There are books on Black Lives Matter and
contemporary issues, but not so much on
traditional soul.’
It was a mammoth research task to bring
this book together. We learn the personal
stories of the well known and the ordinary
characters who made up the city. In the
opening chapter we meet Roosevelt Jamison
who ran the lnterstate Blood Bank, and
clearly see the level of segregation that
existed in Memphis. In those days blood was
donated along racial lines.
Much of the fact finding was done in
America, reminding Stuart of how little
can actually be found online. The idea
that everything cannot be googled is eye
opening for a generation growing up to ask
the internet. ‘I spent weeks poring over old
newspapers and found out about people
I would never have found anywhere else.
Google is ok, but you need to be able to dig
much deeper.’
He continues, ‘my partner thinks that I am
never happier than when I am surrounded by
books. She thinks I am socially dysfunctional
and that I like being immersed in a bubble
and I do think there is some truth in that.
I love research because I can go into a library
and sit for hours on end and be perfectly
happy. She is a social butterfly and I am the
opposite.’
So ironically for someone so outgoing and
funny, working alone suits Stuart down to the
ground, and at home surrounded by work,
books and his extensive record collection
is a pretty good place to be. ‘I love it round
here,’ he says. ‘Dennistoun has the highest
concentration of contemporary artists in
Europe – I like to joke with the neighbours
that it is humiliating going to pick up our
milk as I am the only one who has not been
nominated for the Turner Prize!’
Competition!
We have two signed
paperback copies of
Memphis 68 to give away.
Visit westendermagazine.com
and click on competitions by
the 30th of June 2018.
Compared to the West End it has an
industrial history rather than a university one.
‘When I first came here twenty years ago
the area was in decline but it has become
useful for young couples, students, lecturers
who want a bigger house but cannot afford
West End prices. It’s a great place to live,’ he
laughs.
‘There is a perception of me that is just
a mask,’ he concludes. ‘I walk my boy to
school each morning and speak to everyone.
Everyone knows me. But I am happy alone.’
He goes back to music to explain it. ‘There
are three great records written by Smokey
Robinson: Tears of a Clown, The Tracks of my
Tears and The Love I Saw In You Was Just A
Mirage. All three songs are about disguise.
People having inner and outer personalities.’
So where does this leave our beloved
Off the Ball? If it was a choice between
continuing with the radio show or writing
books Stuart is very clear. ‘If someone put
a gun to my head and said it’s writing or the
radio, I would without doubt write another
book. Sorry Tam!’
Memphis 68: The Tragedy of Southern
Soul is out now published by Polygon
(£9.99 Paperback only).
£3
Memphis 68
OFF
*
RRP £9.99
*Exclusive offer for WESTENDER readers
at Waterstones 351-355 Byres Road
branch only, by 30th June 2018.