Billy Bragg - A People's History

Billy Bragg, Richard Houghton

$90

Address book

Forthcoming
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English

Miscellaneous
01 February 2026

Music: styles & genres; Individual composers & musicians, bands & groups; Popular culture

Billy Bragg A People's History is an oral history of the British singer-songwriter and political activist. It's the story of the Bard of Barking in the words of over 700 people who have been moved by his music, either seeing Billy in concert, on a demonstration or on TV. Whether singing about love in 'A New England', domestic violence in 'Levi Stubbs Tears' or political activism in 'There is Power in a Union', Billy Bragg has been inspiring fans through his music and sparking political debate with his opinions for more than 40 years. With over 400 images including memorabilia & photographs from Billy's personal archive and contributions from the man himself, Billy Bragg A People's History spans Billy's career in music, from his days with the punk-inspired Riff Raff through to the present day. The book includes anecdotes from fans, friends and collaborators of seeing Billy in concert or encountering him as an activist, as well as Billy's reflections on his long career. Contributors include Juliet Wills (Billy's manager & partner), environmentalist Chris Packham, childhood friend & sometime road manager Wiggy, actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, Cara Tivey, Dave Woodhead, Grant Showbiz, Neil Spencer, Martin Goldschmidt (Cooking Vinyl), Sid Griffin (Long Ryders), Nora Guthrie and Jamie Webster and an introduction by stand up comedian Phill 'Porky the Poet' Jupitus.

AUTHOR: Whether singing about love in 'A New England', domestic violence in 'Levi Stubbs Tears' or political activism in 'There is Power in a Union', Billy Bragg has been inspiring fans through his music and sparking political debate with his opinions for more than 40 years. The Guardian has described his songs as 'the perfect Venn diagram between the political and the personal', he's had a No.1 single, shaken hands with the Queen and appeared at Wembley Stadium. Billy Bragg is from Barking, Essex.

430 colour and b/w images

By: Billy Bragg
Edited by: Richard Houghton
Imprint: Miscellaneous
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 40mm
Weight: 1.700kg
ISBN: 9781915858368
ISBN 10: 1915858364
Pages: 592
Publication Date: 01 February 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Address book
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Billy Bragg was born in 1957 in Barking, Essex in the UK. He is known around the world for his political protest songs and his community activism. He has enjoyed a No. 1 hit single, had a street named after him, been the subject of a South Bank Show, appeared onstage at Wembley Stadium, curated Left Field at Glastonbury, shared spotted dick with a cabinet minister in the House of Commons cafeteria, been mentioned in Bob Dylan's memoir and shaken hands with the late Queen Elizabeth II. Billy is the author of The Progressive Patriot and A Lover Sings: Selected Lyrics. Richard Houghton lives in Manchester, UK and is the author/editor of more than 20 books on music. He has been a Billy Bragg fan for 40 years.

Reviews for Billy Bragg - A People's History

As a piece of historiography, the inclusion of direct contributions from Bragg himself, his family, friends, managers, and music industry figures, gives a true flavour of the times -- ""Americana.co.uk"" This is a book which'll have an appeal to everyone with an interest in progressive causes and social justice, as well as the views of fans -- ""Ramizine.co.uk""