Ned's Atomic Dustbin singer Jonn Penney to talk about his life at Wolverhampton Literary Festival
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin frontman Jonn Penney has been thinking about writing his autobiography for a while. He’s 50, he’s got a couple of kids – and he wants to write down his stories before he forgets them.
The only trouble is he doesn’t know where to start.
So he’s planning a special appearance at Wolverhampton Literature Festival on January 27 at the city’s Slade Rooms from 8.45pm.
He’ll be featuring with Ned’s guitarist Ratt – playing songs, telling stories and answering questions.
Jonn explains: “The thing is, I’m too damn lazy to do it myself. I’m also frightened at the prospect of writing enough words to make a book. And also, as has been said, I’m very much a reactionary person and I need a nudge. I sat down and started writing this book and I couldn’t remember. So we thought we’d do something where people can prompt me – where the fans can ask questions and job my memory – then I’ll be able to do it.
“Once the fans get me started, they transport me back to my flat in Lye where I’m hungover and it’s early in the morning and I’ve just written a few lyrics. I’m a waffler, so I just need encouragement to get me going. I want to knock those stories into a book that my kids might want to read.”
Jonn isn’t planning to challenge best-selling authors when his book finally comes out. “I’m not stupid enough to think there’s a massive market out there for the memoirs of a singer from a lesser known indie band from England. But it’s worth having it down somewhere. It won’t be long before I’ve forgot the stuff.”
Though Jonn’s has played a huge number of gigs during his career, headlining festival stages, playing sell out gigs at Wolves Civic Hall and featuring on Top of the Pops, appearing at a literature festival is something new.
