Neil Daniels: Well, he’s got such an entertaining and interesting story to tell that I wanted to be involved. So yeah, it’s because of my book that we got together. He had trouble finding a publisher and with all the gigs he plays and promotion for his new album Demon Deceiver; he found it hard to find to time to get 100,000 words together about his life. Through my friend John Tucker (who co-wrote the excellent Biff Byford book) I got in contact with Judas Priest biography and publisher Matthias Mader at Iron Pages and he said he was interested. A few months later, the contracts were signed between the three of us.
Al told me a lot of stories which I didn’t know, partly because most people have forgotten (and he has a good memory) and also because he wanted to save them for his own book. It’s called Dawn Of The Metal Gods and it’ll make a great companion piece to my own book Defenders Of The Faith. I really hope Priest fans give this book a chance because it’s a fun book to read and (hopefully) they’ll find it really informative. It’ll certainly fill in some gaps in their knowledge of Priest’s history, it did mine.
When will the book be published, and how was the experience working with Atkins?
Al is a great guy, friendly and down to earth like most musicians from the Midlands. He was quick to answer my many emails and pull some stories together when I need to add more substance to the chapters. The book will be published by Iron Pages in the autumn. You should be able to buy copies from my website, Al’s site and Iron Pages as well as sites like Amazon.
You’ve also written for many different magazines. Who have been your favorite interview subjects, and why?
Doro is very friendly and fun to speak to; I’ve interviewed her about three times now. I interviewed Dio about three weeks ago and he was great; very sharp and knowledgeable. Don Dokken, K.K. Downing, Biff Byford, Nikki Sixx and Rudolf Schenker of the Scorpions were all great. It’s the musicians who have been at it for years and have nothing to hide that make the best interviews. I interviewed the late Kevin DuBrow for my Priest book and he was an interviewers dream; funny, enthusiastic and polite.
What was your worst interview experience?
Truthfully, I’ve never really had any bad interviews. I guess that is rare. Most of them are done by phone because I live in the North West of England and not London. I didn’t have much of a rapport with Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks when I interviewed him backstage at the Manchester Academy one time. It wasn’t a bad interview by any means just quick and not very interesting.
Who would like to interview, but haven’t yet?
Roger Taylor because he is one of rock’s best drummers and an underrated musician. Meat Loaf, Ozzy and Lemmy although I’ve heard they can be quite temperamental in interviews. I’d also like to interview Tony Iommi and Bruce Dickinson. I’d even like to interview A-listers like Billy Joel and Tina Turner.
You have interviews with fellow writers on your web site. Who are some music writers you enjoy reading?
Martin Popoff is a great writer as is Dave Ling; his diary is usually always entertaining. I think the fanzines provide some of the best written reviews. The reviews by Fireworks scribes Dave Cockett and Phil Ashcroft are always very knowledgeable and well-written. I like reviews that have a bit of humour and enthusiasm; Geoff Barton and Malcolm Dome are all top writers as well. There more scholarly approach taken by the likes of Charles Shaar Murray and Alan Clayson is certainly some to aspire to.
How did you get started in music writing?
Well, I first started writing for e-zines like musicOMH, Unbarred and BBC News Online in Manchester and from there I steadily picked up credentials. I soon started contributing to Record Collector and Powerplay and the revered bi-monthly magazine Fireworks. I still write for those magazines as well as Rock Sound and Get Ready To Rock. Nothing beats getting free CD’s, DVD’s, gig tickets and the odd rock bio.
In terms of the books, well, I had an idea that was commercial and pitched it to a few publishers. Omnibus Press were keen for my Judas Priest idea and a few months later the contracts were signed. It’s progressed from there really.
What are some of the best CDs you’ve heard recently?
Brother Firetribe’s albums Break Out and Heart Full Of Fire are outstanding examples of melodic rock. There’s an AOR band called Work Of Art who are certainly worth checking out. The new Def Leppard and Whitesnake albums are excellent. I’m also impressed by Circle II Circle and Jon Olivia Pain’s new albums.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Please check out my website www.neildaniels.com. In July, I’m going to set up a shop on my site so you can buy my (signed) books directly from me. Also, I’ve just begun a personal project, which you’ve mentioned in a previous question: it’s basically a series of interviews I’ve conducted with various writers. So far you can read interviews with Gavin Baddeley, Joel McIver, Ian Christe, Rich Wilson and Ben Myers.I also have a book out on Robert Plant called Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page & The Solo Years. It is out now and published by IMP. All details on my books can be located at my website. Finally, if you’re a Priest fan please buy my book with Al Atkins Dawn Of The Metal Gods: My Life In Judas Priest & Heavy Metal.
