Brian Southall began writing about pop music in the 1960s on a local newspaper before graduating to the likes of Melody Maker and Disc. He then pursued a 30-year career in the record business working for A&M, Tamla Motown, EMI and Warner Music. His first book - the official history of Abbey Road Studios - was published in 1982 and since then he has written many other music books including Northern Songs - the story of the Beatles music publishing; If You Don't Know Me By Now - the authorized story of Simply Red; and The Rise & Fall of EMI.