Broadcaster and music historian Spencer Leigh is celebrating his 80th birthday with a special book release called 80@80.
This memoir takes readers on a nostalgic journey through his extensive archives and personal diaries, featuring 80 chapters that explore his life and deep passion for pop music.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the book, Spencer shared, “As I approached my 80th birthday, I wanted to create something that revisited my past interviews while also sharing parts of my own story.”
Spencer’s broadcasting career began in the early 1970s at BBC Radio Merseyside, where he became known for hosting On The Beat, a long-running music program that saw him interview thousands of musicians over the years.
“There are some truly unusual interviews in the book,” he noted. “One with Billy Bob Thornton stands out as particularly odd, so I included it while weaving in my life’s story along the way.”
In addition to his book, Spencer has written a magazine commemorating what would have been Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday, now available at newsagents.
With decades of interviews and research under his belt, Spencer has amassed an extensive archive of materials. He is now in the process of donating these valuable records to Liverpool Central Library.
“I’m currently organizing my files—today, I’m working on The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper,” he said. “I’m compiling all the press cuttings and materials into a structured collection. Soon, the entire file, containing around 200 pieces, will be available at the Liverpool Central Archives.”
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