101 Albums You Must Hear Before I Die

Great music is about so much more than just the end product. Very often the stories behind the songs and their creators can be as scintillating as the music itself.

This book is about more than just 101 slabs of music you are being advised to listen to. It's about the also-rans and stars that burned out too fast.

As a music journalist for many years, the author managed to meet many of his idols - and they provided interesting insights as well as moments of humour.

In the first of two volumes, we look at the timeless stories the musicians were telling, and just why they deserve to live forever.