Berlin Bromley (book)
by Bertie Marshall (2006)
Started this rare book very early this morning, and I finished reading its 207 pages only a few minutes ago.
Theres a very good chance that you might not recognise the name 'Bertie Marshall' but take a look back at those cutting edge first sighting punk fan photographs of the much maligned 'Bromley Contingent' from 1976 and you'll see him posing hand on hip for all he's worth in amongst that notoriously pretentious group of fashion victims.
So if you have more than a passing interest in youth culture you really should make a point of reading this startlingly honest and very entertaining pill popping, line snorting, prostituting , punk rock memoir of a narcissistic gay teenager circa 75-77 (and ocassionally beyond), theres a treasure trove of insider information printed on these pages.
Bertie Marshall was right in there at the birth of a teenage revolution that still reverberates many years later in 2012, but due to some misguided lifestyle choices (and unlike his soon to become famous friends) he still managed to miss out on his big chance.
Its about time this book had a reprint and a relaunch.
Joe Donnelly Belfast 10.7.12.
Theres a very good chance that you might not recognise the name 'Bertie Marshall' but take a look back at those cutting edge first sighting punk fan photographs of the much maligned 'Bromley Contingent' from 1976 and you'll see him posing hand on hip for all he's worth in amongst that notoriously pretentious group of fashion victims.
So if you have more than a passing interest in youth culture you really should make a point of reading this startlingly honest and very entertaining pill popping, line snorting, prostituting , punk rock memoir of a narcissistic gay teenager circa 75-77 (and ocassionally beyond), theres a treasure trove of insider information printed on these pages.
Bertie Marshall was right in there at the birth of a teenage revolution that still reverberates many years later in 2012, but due to some misguided lifestyle choices (and unlike his soon to become famous friends) he still managed to miss out on his big chance.
Its about time this book had a reprint and a relaunch.
Joe Donnelly Belfast 10.7.12.