Show Notes
A veteran British broadcaster, music industry insider, and self-proclaimed "serial thrill-seeker", Steve Blacknell's life has zigzagged through some of pop culture's most iconic moments.
Born in Peckham in 1952 and raised in Dartford, Blacknell rose from humble beginnings—working as a hospital cleaner—to becoming a dynamic force in radio, television, and music PR. He worked at major record labels like Decca, Chrysalis, and Jive, where he notably signed A Flock of Seagulls.
In the early 1980s, he became a familiar face and voice on BBC Radio 1, BBC2’s Riverside, and later as a pioneering European video jockey on MTV USA’s London Calling, reaching an audience of over 20 million.
In 1985, he flew on Concorde with Phil Collins to cover both the UK and US sides of Live Aid, cementing his place in music history.
Blacknell also dated Kate Bush in the 1970s, and their romance has since become part of his rich tapestry of rock 'n' roll storytelling. In interviews and his writing, he speaks fondly of her artistry and the intimacy they once shared, offering rare insight into the reclusive star.
In 2025, he published his memoir Tales from the Bedroom Wall: The Life & Times of a Serial Thrill Seeker, which charts the highs of stardom and the lows of personal collapse.
To buy the book, go here; https://amzn.eu/d/gCDNm8K
For Steve, failure is not a shame—it's a vital part of learning. He believes falling down hard is often what creates the best stories, the most powerful comebacks, and the deepest empathy. His life is living proof of that philosophy.
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