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Be Stiff: The Stiff Records story
with Richard Balls
Presented by: Portsmouth BookFest| 0 | PORTSMOUTH: Central Library |
|---|---|
| P | Friday 6th March, 2026 |
| N | 7:00pm |
Event information
Punk exploded in Britain in 1976, changing music forever. As it marks its 50th anniversary, we are delighted to be joined by author Richard Balls who chronicled the story of Stiff Records, the London label that released the UK’s first punk record - The Damned’s incendiary debut New Rose. Come and hear about the maverick label and the leading role it played in the birth of punk.
Richard Balls is the acclaimed author of three books: 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. For 20 years he was a newspaper journalist and since then he has worked in communications. He lives in Norwich and is an avid record collector.
Venue information
PORTSMOUTH: Central Library| 0 | Guildhall Square Portsmouth Hampshire PO1 2DX |
|---|---|
| > | librariesandarchives.portsmouth.gov.uk |
| ! | 02392819311 |
| ` | Event is on the third floor - lift access |