Dear Mr Pop Star – Derek & Dave Philpott

‘Dear Mr Popstar’ features letters & responses from famous musicians and artists, revealing their own humorous sides within a unique dialogue

Introduction

‘Dear Mr Popstar’ features up to 100 of the best letters and responses from famous and legendary names spanning the whole pop and rock spectrum, all relishing their involvement and revealing their own humorous sides within a unique interactive dialogue compiled between music stars and their audience ever undertaken. 

Amongst the contributors are Dr. from Dr. and The Medics, Nik Kershaw, Judas Priest, Starship, Tears For Fears, The Eurythmics, China Crisis, Mental As Anything, Shakatak, Katrina and the Waves, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin, Matthew Wilder, Middle of the Road, T’Pau, The Knack, Del Amitri, and many more.

My Thoughts

Warning: Do not read whilst on  train or, for that matter, any other public transport – fellow passengers might think you’re slightly gaga – I was chuckling, even laughed out loud reading the first letter and response by none other than Doctor from Doctor and the Medics or should I say Duck Tour and the Mudlarks?!

I had the privilege of learning a bit about this ambitious, some would say daring and perhaps even crazy plan by father and son Philpott to confront famous musicians and artists with their lyrics by taking them literally. It makes for hilarious letters and responses, for bands I have to admit I did not know before and bands I couldn’t believe they engaged in such fantastic way.  

“I had considered the factor of exclusivity in as much as a Doctor is a Medic but a Medic may not necessarily be a Doctor in the same way that not all mechanics are called Mike, not all Hurricanes are called Johnny, no Comet has ever been called Bill and Dominoes don’t have names… I have yet to decide on the final name but am favouring Duck Tour and the Mudlarks.”

– signed ‘Love and Peace. Duck Tour’ aka Doctor from Doctor and The Medics

The letters themselves are brilliantly written and combine idiotic theories about the lyrics with insights into the home life of the Philpotts. Mrs Philpott, the “delicious Jean” according to Greedy Smith of ‘Mental as Anything’, regularly features in the letters as does the Philpotts’ tortoiseshell, Gladys. Said Gladys even receives a letter – from Steve Prudence of The Jags to be precise!

“Thank you for your letter and concern over the plight of China Crisis, and please let me attempt to put some of your ‘Ghosts’ to rest… Hold on, was that Japan or China Crisis? Oops, mustn’t stray, let’s get ‘right down to the tracks’ here.”

– Eddie Lundon, China Crisis

The book is a fantastic compilation of letters and responses – what makes it unique is who responds and in what way. The musicians and artists who participated not only were kind enough to reply but also made the effort to do so in an often humorous way which is simply wonderful. Read it – buy it as a gift for a loved one or yourself – I’m sure it will have a special place in your bookcase!  

About the Authors 

Derek and Dave Philpott are the noms de plume of two ordinary members of the public, working with help from a small family and, crucially, a worldwide social networking community. Neither they or anybody assisting with the creative aspects of this project had any connections with the music, entertainment, media or publishing industries whatsoever at the time of its commencement. Despite these humble origins, however, they now find themselves in the bizarre but enviable position whereby many pop stars and people within these circles are their friends “in real life’” (whatever that means!).

Many artists consider “getting a Dereking” a badge of honour, and, as one participant succinctly put it- ‘’This is an ingenious and extremely inventive concept. You have given us a platform to answer questions that have been asked of us for years by our fans and respond on a public platform of immense fun. You’ve created a weird and wonderful world loved and admired by 1,000s of people worldwide, and you have your own army of loyal fans. That pretty much makes you part of ‘us lot’ now!’’

Book Info

‘Dear Mr Popstar’ is available at Amazon: Getbook.at/DearMrPopstar

Pages	416
Publisher	Unbound (20 Sept. 2018)
ISBN (hardcover)	9781783525980
ASIN (ebook)	B07H2M5VRB