Never a Dull Moment

1971 - the Year That Rock Exploded

By: David Hepworth

Narrated by: David Hepworth

A rollicking look at 1971 - the busiest, most innovative and resonant year of the '70s, defined by the musical arrival of such stars as David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Joni Mitchell.

On New Year's Eve, 1970, Paul McCartney told his lawyers to issue the writ at the High Court in London, effectively ending The Beatles. You might say this was the last day of the pop era.

The following day, which was a Friday, was 1971. You might say this was the first day of the rock era. And within the remaining 364 days of this monumental year, the world would hear Don McLean's "American Pie", The Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar", The Who's "Baba O'Riley", Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven", Rod Stewart's "Maggie May", Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", and more.

David Hepworth, an ardent music fan and a well-regarded critic, was 21 in '71, the same age as many of the legendary artists who arrived on the scene. Taking us on a tour of the major moments, the events and songs of this remarkable year, he shows how musicians came together to form the perfect storm of rock and roll greatness, starting a musical era that would last longer than anyone predicted. Those who joined bands to escape things that lasted found themselves in a new age, its colossal start being part of the genre's staying power.

Never a Dull Moment is more than a love song to the music of 1971. It's also an homage to the things that inspired art and artists alike. From Soul Train to The Godfather, hot pants to table tennis, Hepworth explores both the music and its landscapes, culminating in an epic story of rock and roll's best year.

©2016 David Hepworth (P)2016 Recorded Books

Waiting for 1972

Perfectly read, delightfully written, I’m glad I was alive then. I’m sharing this with my daughters so they can be jealous of me.

A blast from the past

Very enjoyable for someone like me who was there in 1971. I especially like all the political and cultural context filled in. The author is a bit cynical, but then I suppose some of it is justified. But very enjoyable and interesting, and well read by the author.

Very Entertaining

I never ealized how much music there was in1971 . It was so much fun remembering all of the great music groups that were making great albums when I was a child. I reaaly enjoyed the great passion of great rock and roll that the author has in this book. At times hes hard to follow but I still enjoy all of the research he shares on the greatest year of music in American history

Surprisingly good

The cover makes it look like a hack job, but this is a thoughtful book filled with juicy facts and new revelations. You'll hear about the personal lives of rock stars as they struggle to make a homelife while catapulting to new levels of success in 1971. Hepworth doesn't rehash old tropes and established opinions. He challenges them. He has a gift of phrasing that makes every sentence a surprise and delight. He sees through the celebrity and shows rock stars for what they are.

I was born in 1971

So this is like a backstage pass to the soundtrack to my life. Thanks David.