AN author and music historian who has penned a book about Britain's impact on music through the centuries said she feels 'honoured' to be heading for Greenock.
Elizabeth Sharkey will be speaking about 'Why Britain Rocked – How Rock Became Roll and Took Over The World' at the Beacon Arts Centre on Friday, October 4.
In the book, Elizabeth examines what makes British music so 'perpetually creative and irresistible' in a deep dive from the Celts right up to present day.
The writer, who has also worked as an actor and voiceover artist, said she's very excited to be heading to Inverclyde for the first time.
Elizabeth said she wants to meet Inverclyde musicians who can tell her about the DNA of their own music.
She added: "I've been longing to go to the western shore for such a long time.
"I've spent so many years researching why Britain has created such great music, so I'm really excited to get out and see what's happening at roots level across the country.
"I hope people will get a fresh understanding of just how powerful Scotland's musicality has been over the centuries.
"It's been at the heart of the music that's driving through British pop."
Elizabeth said she grew up listening to Scottish artists like Aztec Camera, Cocteau Twins, and Fairport Convention.
She hopes that on her tour of the UK, she will find out more about regional differences in traditional and folk music which will inform her next book - Why The Regions Rock.
Elizabeth came up with the idea for Why Britain Rocked when she went to see Arctic Monkeys at a music festival in Salzburg back in 2006.
She said: "I realised that all of the headline acts at the festival were from the British Isles.
"I tried to talk to some of the fans there, to try to find out why they had travelled from all over the world to see bands from Britain.
"I started to wonder what it is in the soil and the air that has made British music so successful.
"I had to find the answer and that's when I started digging.
"My zealous obsession with music makes me so driven to investigate, and I just can't help myself."
Elizabeth admits that when she decided to research the story of why Britain rocked, she didn't know where to start.
She started in Aberdeen and made her way down to the Lowlands.
Elizabeth spoke to Simon Nicol of Fairport Convention, Chris Difford of Squeeze, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, and singer songwriter Tom Robinson to get their views on what makes British music so great, and did a lot of 'rooting around' in history books.
She said she's looking forward to speaking to Inverclyde music fans about the process of bringing the book together, and everything she found out along the way.
Elizabeth added: "It's been an incredible experience.
"I didn't know at the start where it would take me but it's taken me to places beyond my imagination.
"I've uncovered a story that was waiting to be told."
The show starts at 7.30pm.
To book visit www.beaconartscentre.co.uk/events/elizabeth-sharkey-why-britain-rocked-how-rock-became-roll-and-took-over-the-world
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