"Starlust" by Fred Vermorel

[Adam Blake]

First published in 1985 and out of print for many years, this is one of the most extraordinary books about Pop ever produced. Recently reprinted by Faber, I am not sure why Fred's wife Judy's name has been removed from the credits. It consists mainly of letters written by fans to each other and to their pop heroes, documenting the obsessiveness of true Pop devotion. In some cases the actual handwritten letters are reproduced. My favourite so far is the girl who says that if the nuclear alarm was sounded her first thought would be: "Is Boy George alright?"
Many of the letters are deeply pornographic - I was concerned that anyone might be reading over my shoulder on the tube! The Barry Manilow fans in particular have absolutely filthy minds.

Anyone else read it?

[AndyM]

A very great book! Bought it in the 80s and have loved it ever since.

The gay fantasy about Bruce Foxton in the school toilets struck a chord!! And the Bowie fan who goes all sci-fi, starting their love letter to Dave with "I am a rat in a cybermetic sewer" (was that fan really Gary Numan??).

Aside from such eye-opening pleasures, it's a book that reminds us that pop's deepest attachments & impacts often have almost nothing to do with what we might consider 'quality' or 'cool' in music.

[Adam Blake]

I remember thinking Bruce Foxton was the most unattractive man in showbusiness.

[AndyM]

A little harsh! Do you not remember The Glitter Band ?

[Adam Blake]

I do indeed - and also Geordie, surely the ugliest band of all time. I meant at the time of writing. In the mid-80s Foxton was being launched on a disastrously ill-advised solo career. My sister was writing for Record Mirror at the time and was commissioned to write a puff piece on him. I am afraid we said cruel things about the publicity photographs...

[Jamie Renton]

The Barry Manilow fans in particular have absolutely filthy minds. Anyone else read it?

I haven't, but remember reading a review at the time of its publication (probably in the NME) which noted that one fan fantasised about having "nasal sex" with Barry Manilow.

Is this true and if so (and without going into too much explicit detail) do they explain what it would entail? Aplogies for lowering the tone, but this frankly disturbing concept (and whatever it entails, I think it's likely to be disturbing) has played on my mind for some decades now.

[AndyM]

Don't know where my copy is. Adam's is closer to hand, I guess.

But come on, man, you know the size of the Manilow hooter, and you have a vivid imagination.........

[Jamie Renton]

But come on, man, you know the size of the Manilow hooter, and you have a vivid imagination.........

Yes...but, I mean...it can't...they wouldn't...not even just to think about...surely not...

[Adam Blake]

There is so much sex of all kinds it's hard to remember a specifically nasal fixation (or perhaps my internal censor kicked in at the point for my own safety) but certainly if I, um, come across it, I will be happy to reproduce it here.

[NormanD]

It's well known, when he was a club pianist, he'd sneeze you off for a dollar.

[AndyM]

It's well known, when he was a club pianist, he'd sneeze you off for a dollar.

Ho ho! And given that he started playing back-up piano for Bette Midler in gay bath-houses, the picture gets steadily more complex!

[Hugh Weldon]

Not out of print actually, Adam.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Starlust-Secret ... 837&sr=1-1

I remember in their Pistols book they quoted lots of fan letters, and I was quite surprised to discover that the Pistols had fans in a very similar way to the way the Bay City Rollers had fans. In fact some may have graduated from one set of ugly boys in funny clothes to the other.

I once cut a pic of Bruce Foxton out of a music paper and took it to the hairdressers because I admired his haircut and wanted one like it. They did quite a good job too. I never wrote to him, much less fantasised about him though.

[Adam Blake]

I said it WAS out of print, but has recently been reprinted.