Steve Blacknell — enigmatic TV host, radio presenter, and music industry insider — has lived a life full of extraordinary highs and lows. In his new memoir, Tales From The Bedroom Wall – The Life & Times of a Serial Thrill Seeker, he shares candid stories of fame, near-death experiences, and personal battles. Steve recently sat down with Music Crowns to talk about the book, his colourful past, and what keeps him pushing boundaries at 72. 
Music Crowns: What made now the right time to tell your story?
Steve Blacknell: I started the book about 18 years ago in the back of cabs a bit worse for wear! I dawned on me that there just might be a story in there and when I met my publishers Old Treacle it all fell into place.
Music Crowns: From Concorde with Phil Collins to dating Kate Bush – what’s the moment that still feels unreal?
Steve Blacknell: To be honest there are two … Standing on stage at the Radio City Gig in NYC introducing the band I’d signed to Jive – A Flock Of Seagulls to a sell-out crowd.
Also meeting my heroes of heroes, The Incredible String Band and actually living with them!
Music Crowns: How did your obsession with music as a teen shape everything that followed
Steve Blacknell: It was pure unadulterated hero worship … id stare at those figures on my bedroom wall … Amen Corner / The Who / The Stones .. little knowing I’d one day meet them all – let alone my great mate Bill Wyman would end up doing the foreword to the book!
Music Crowns: What do people misunderstand most about fame and success?
Steve Blacknell: Well, I’ve never really had game as you know it. I’ve never been mobbed in the street to my recollection.
It’s weird to have B minus fame where to some you are a hero and to most you are another brick in the tender wall of life (whatever that means.)
Music Crowns: You write openly about addiction and bulimia – why was it important to include that?
Steve Blacknell: It’s vital because i had anorexic bulimia and it’s not generally known as a man’s disease. I could ramble on here, but men don’t generally pop into a pub and say “Ello Mick .. blimey your fingernails are getting long .” It’s more like “Bloody West Ham …” etc . Men don’t often show their feelings like women. So, it’s tough enough being a bloke if you are a sufferer – let alone letting out personal issues. They suffer in silence. They shouldn’t. Talk to someone.
Music Crowns: What was the biggest high… and the lowest low?
Steve Blacknell: Biggest high!!!! – it’d be the two i said before and biggest low? Well that came in Hollywood Blvd one day when I had 42 dollars in the bank and had just got a 40 dollar parking fine . I felt like that was the end of it all .
Music Crowns: Who surprised you most out of all the stars you met?
Steve Blacknell: Leslie Nielson who I’d have thought might have been a serious actor underneath but i had a gig as his gay assistant in the promo for “Naked Gun 33/3” and he was a total nut. He had a fart thing in one hand and would let it off during scenes at will. Wonderful
Music Crowns: What’s your proudest achievement – career or personal?
Steve Blacknell: It’d have to be getting The Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award I was Prince Phillips corporate speaking partner a few times and was sooooo proud to get it. My parents too were glowing that day.
Music Crowns: Are you still chasing thrills at 72?
Steve Blacknell: Cor Blimey yes Guvnor!!! I feel I’m only starting out (again). Lots of rumours about movie interest for the book itself. I can’t act so I couldn’t play me. If only Clark Gable was alive!
Music Crowns: What do you hope readers take away from Tales from the Bedroom Wall?
Steve Blacknell: That you don’t have to be famous to be a total idiot like what I’ve been – but again I’m lucky to have had the fun and adventures that I have . I suppose the message is.
…. never EVER sit on the fence – that’s boring.
Fall off it and break a leg but at least you’re trying to accomplish something. To date I have had 45 broken legs.
Music Crowns: Thanks Steve!
Steve Blacknell’s memoir, ‘Tales From The Bedroom Wall – The Life & Times of a Serial Thrill Seeker’ is available now from Amazon.
https://www.steveblacknell.com
