Johnny Rogan
Encyclopedia
Johnny Rogan is an author of Irish
descent best known for his books about music and popular culture. He has written influential biographies of The Byrds
, The Smiths
and Van Morrison
. His writing is characterised by "an almost neurotic attention to detail", epic length and a sometimes hostile response from the subjects of his biographies. Following the publication of Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance in 1992, Morrissey
stated that he "hopes Rogan dies in a hotel fire."
American music . Rogan spent his early childhood in the Pimlico
area of London
. His parents emigrated to London from Waterford (Ireland
) in the 1930s. He is a cousin of the actor John Rogan
. Rogan's adolescence during the 'Swinging 60s' was vividly captured in the chapter 'The Ghost Of Electricity' from his book 'Timeless Flight Revisited'. There was no mention at all of his tragic family history which included his father (fatal heart attack, late 50s), brother (drowned), sister (fatal brain haemorrhage) and mother (emaciation), among other fatalities.
Rogan attended St Vincents, RC, and Pimlico School and spent the entire 70s as a student, obtaining his first degree in English Language & Literature at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, after which he completed an MA at Acadia University
in Canada
, specializing in Spenser
's The Faerie Queene
. This was followed by postgraduate study at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
.
His first book Timeless Flight, an acclaimed biography of The Byrds
was published when he was still a student at Oxford
's Lady Margaret Hall. This work has since been rewritten as the 700 page plus volume, 'Timeless Flight Revisited'. The work won considerable acclaim, including biography of the year in 'Record Collector', in which it was described as "One of the best biographies ever written...Expansive enough to rival War And Peace, Johnny Rogan’s definitive Byrds biography comes close to matching the emotional, if not geographical, range of Tolstoy’s epic novel. One of the achievements of Timeless Flight Revisited is the way in which it matches its narrative flair with the incisiveness of its critical comment... But it’s the narrative drive that makes the book so extraordinary. With its detailed research and fascinating interview material, Timeless Flight Revisited is a compelling portrait of collective turmoil, peopled by characters who win our sympathy at the same time as they earn our disbelief.” , Similar accolades were forthcoming from Billboard, Time Out and Q Magazine ("This is, at least, the best biography of a group ever written"). Unusually, the book has been revised extensively in every decade since its original appearance.
Rogan went on to write more than 20 other books, mainly in the field of music and popular culture. These included epic biographies of Neil Young
(Zero To Sixty) and Van Morrison
, plus work on John Lennon
, The Kinks
, Wham!
/George Michael
(Virgin Yearbook "Book of the Year"), Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and The Smiths
. Neil Young is quoted praising Rogan's work on the back of the biography along with a five-star review from Uncut and several other prominent music publications.
The best-selling Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance attracted considerable attention not least from Morrissey
who famously said: "Personally I hope Johnny Rogan ends his days very soon in an M3 pile-up." The comment was made prior to the book's publication and Morrissey claimed he had yet to see a copy of any of its contents. Morrissey later mentioned the book on the witness stand in his famous High Court dispute with former Smiths' drummer Mike Joyce and under cross examination testified that comparing some items of witness statements in relation to facts contained in the book that the 'book was correct'; he and Rogan also spoke about matters at the High Court during a recess. The Severed Alliance has remained in print without interruption since first publication in 1992 and frequently appears in listings of all time great music biographies. Rogan continues to write extensively about Morrissey, most recently with 2006's Morrissey: The Albums.
Rogan has written two major biographies of Van Morrison
and the acknowledgement page of VM: No Surrender states: "This book has probably had the longest gestation of any I have written." (20 years). However, this is likely to be eclipsed by Rogan's continuing work on the careers of the Byrds and Neil Young. Morrison on his part is quoted as saying: "Rogan's got something to hide. What's he hiding? I'd like to do a book on him." However, this quote emanates from an interview in 1984. No Surrender featured in The Sunday Times Top 10 books of the year and also featured for two consecutive years in hardback and paperback in Mojo's music books of the year. Among the many favourable press notices attached to the paperback edition was an extravagant review concluding: "Van Morrison: No Surrender is the best book about popular culture written about any Irishman living or dead, and it's certainly the best social history of Belfast in the mid-60s ever written."
Rogan has also written lengthy studies of football management and pop management (Starmakers & Svengalis), the latter of which was adapted for a BBC
series. He has also contributed to numerous television documentaries, DVDs and anthologies, including Oxford Originals a collection of writings from authors, including Rogan, who studied at Lady Margaret Hall.
Rogan is known for his eccentricity. While working on a book, he once spent one year in isolation without speaking to another human-being.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
descent best known for his books about music and popular culture. He has written influential biographies of The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
, The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
and Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
. His writing is characterised by "an almost neurotic attention to detail", epic length and a sometimes hostile response from the subjects of his biographies. Following the publication of Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance in 1992, Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
stated that he "hopes Rogan dies in a hotel fire."
Career
Rogan's first publications were in the late 70s with writings on West CoastWest Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
American music . Rogan spent his early childhood in the Pimlico
Pimlico
Pimlico is a small area of central London in the City of Westminster. Like Belgravia, to which it was built as a southern extension, Pimlico is known for its grand garden squares and impressive Regency architecture....
area of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. His parents emigrated to London from Waterford (Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
) in the 1930s. He is a cousin of the actor John Rogan
John Rogan (actor)
John Rogan is an Irish actor who has appeared in many films and TV programmes over the past thirty years. Rogan was born and educated in Waterford, Ireland and was best known as a stage actor in many productions ranging from Shakespearean plays to musicals and contemporary drama...
. Rogan's adolescence during the 'Swinging 60s' was vividly captured in the chapter 'The Ghost Of Electricity' from his book 'Timeless Flight Revisited'. There was no mention at all of his tragic family history which included his father (fatal heart attack, late 50s), brother (drowned), sister (fatal brain haemorrhage) and mother (emaciation), among other fatalities.
Rogan attended St Vincents, RC, and Pimlico School and spent the entire 70s as a student, obtaining his first degree in English Language & Literature at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, after which he completed an MA at Acadia University
Acadia University
Acadia University is a predominantly undergraduate university located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada with some graduate programs at the master's level and one at the doctoral level...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, specializing in Spenser
Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser was an English poet best known for The Faerie Queene, an epic poem and fantastical allegory celebrating the Tudor dynasty and Elizabeth I. He is recognised as one of the premier craftsmen of Modern English verse in its infancy, and one of the greatest poets in the English...
's The Faerie Queene
The Faerie Queene
The Faerie Queene is an incomplete English epic poem by Edmund Spenser. The first half was published in 1590, and a second installment was published in 1596. The Faerie Queene is notable for its form: it was the first work written in Spenserian stanza and is one of the longest poems in the English...
. This was followed by postgraduate study at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Lady Margaret Hall is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, located at the end of Norham Gardens in north Oxford. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £34m....
.
His first book Timeless Flight, an acclaimed biography of The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
was published when he was still a student at Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
's Lady Margaret Hall. This work has since been rewritten as the 700 page plus volume, 'Timeless Flight Revisited'. The work won considerable acclaim, including biography of the year in 'Record Collector', in which it was described as "One of the best biographies ever written...Expansive enough to rival War And Peace, Johnny Rogan’s definitive Byrds biography comes close to matching the emotional, if not geographical, range of Tolstoy’s epic novel. One of the achievements of Timeless Flight Revisited is the way in which it matches its narrative flair with the incisiveness of its critical comment... But it’s the narrative drive that makes the book so extraordinary. With its detailed research and fascinating interview material, Timeless Flight Revisited is a compelling portrait of collective turmoil, peopled by characters who win our sympathy at the same time as they earn our disbelief.” , Similar accolades were forthcoming from Billboard, Time Out and Q Magazine ("This is, at least, the best biography of a group ever written"). Unusually, the book has been revised extensively in every decade since its original appearance.
Rogan went on to write more than 20 other books, mainly in the field of music and popular culture. These included epic biographies of Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
(Zero To Sixty) and Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, plus work on John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
, Wham!
WHAM!
Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
/George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
(Virgin Yearbook "Book of the Year"), Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
. Neil Young is quoted praising Rogan's work on the back of the biography along with a five-star review from Uncut and several other prominent music publications.
The best-selling Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance attracted considerable attention not least from Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
who famously said: "Personally I hope Johnny Rogan ends his days very soon in an M3 pile-up." The comment was made prior to the book's publication and Morrissey claimed he had yet to see a copy of any of its contents. Morrissey later mentioned the book on the witness stand in his famous High Court dispute with former Smiths' drummer Mike Joyce and under cross examination testified that comparing some items of witness statements in relation to facts contained in the book that the 'book was correct'; he and Rogan also spoke about matters at the High Court during a recess. The Severed Alliance has remained in print without interruption since first publication in 1992 and frequently appears in listings of all time great music biographies. Rogan continues to write extensively about Morrissey, most recently with 2006's Morrissey: The Albums.
Rogan has written two major biographies of Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
and the acknowledgement page of VM: No Surrender states: "This book has probably had the longest gestation of any I have written." (20 years). However, this is likely to be eclipsed by Rogan's continuing work on the careers of the Byrds and Neil Young. Morrison on his part is quoted as saying: "Rogan's got something to hide. What's he hiding? I'd like to do a book on him." However, this quote emanates from an interview in 1984. No Surrender featured in The Sunday Times Top 10 books of the year and also featured for two consecutive years in hardback and paperback in Mojo's music books of the year. Among the many favourable press notices attached to the paperback edition was an extravagant review concluding: "Van Morrison: No Surrender is the best book about popular culture written about any Irishman living or dead, and it's certainly the best social history of Belfast in the mid-60s ever written."
Rogan has also written lengthy studies of football management and pop management (Starmakers & Svengalis), the latter of which was adapted for a BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
series. He has also contributed to numerous television documentaries, DVDs and anthologies, including Oxford Originals a collection of writings from authors, including Rogan, who studied at Lady Margaret Hall.
Rogan is known for his eccentricity. While working on a book, he once spent one year in isolation without speaking to another human-being.
Anthology Contributions
- The Bowie Companion
- The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
- The Mojo Collection
- Oxford Originals: An Anthology of Writing from Lady Margaret Hall, 1879–2001