"We were the best worst band. We died but we died in style." Speedy Keen
Thunderclap Newman stunned the music world in the summer of 1969 with the success of their wonderfully odd debut single 'Something In The Air', which ousted none other than the Beatles from the top of the charts. They followed up with an LP described by Nik Cohn as "one of the finest, most truly bizarre albums of the era" before disintegrating just a few months after its release. This is the story of one of the most unlikely combos in popular music history, and of the four disparate characters who formed its core: Pete Townshend, principal songwriter and guitarist for The Who; his best friend and driver, the singer/songwriter/drummer John 'Speedy' Keen; a fifteen-year-old wunderkind guitarist named Jimmy McCulloch; and finally, an enigmatic telephone engineer who also happened to be a brilliant improvisational jazz pianist: Andy 'Thunderclap' Newman. Rife with both triumph and tragedy, the story intersects with seismic cultural events such as the Apollo 11 moon landing and the massive Woodstock Music and Arts festival, and with legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Thunders, Motorhead, Paul McCartney and The Who. Drawing from exhaustive research and more than fifty interviews with those who were there, Hollywood Dream: The Thunderclap Newman Story provides a detailed, exacting look at the fascinating story of a band who everyone has forgotten but everyone knows.
"I will turn to Wilkerson's book again and again to be reminded of my three dear friends who comprised the band Thunderclap Newman. It's carefully and devotedly researched with lots of input from all kinds of other friends of mine who shared their journey, and that itself builds a unique picture of the kind of Boiler Room world that musicians thrived in during the mid to late '60s. When the Beatles were hauling Mellotrons into the studio Andy Newman was hauling his massive Contrabass Saxophone along with his Kazoo." - Pete Townshend
"Thunderclap Newman were among the most intriguing one-album bands of all time, both for their nearly unclassifiable twist on late-'60s/early-'70s British rock and one of the most improbable mix of musical backgrounds and personalities ever assembled. Hollywood Dream reveals much of the mystery behind the trio's brief but fascinating journey, with an impressive blend of exhaustive first-hand research and deftly entertaining writing and storytelling." Richie Unterberger, author of Won't Get Fooled Again: The Who from Lifehouse to Quadrophenia
Industry Reviews
"Finger-lickin', motherfuckin' good." - Jimi Hendrix, on Speedy Keen's demos.
"Out of the jumble of elements and oddities, against all logic, Thunderclap Newman created one of the finest, most truly bizarre albums of the era, Hollywood Dream; made NumberOne with their first single, 'Something In The Air'; were immediately pushed out on the road, with ornate fanfares; failed to sell another record; finally fell apart, and disbanded. From nowhere to everywhere and back to nowhere again..." - Nik Cohn, Rolling Stone.
"I love it all. Recording it is one of my favorite experiences. People that know and love that record are very special people in my eyes." - Pete Townshend
"We were the best worst band. We died but we died in style: Andy in his policeman's helmet, handing out paper hats and balloons and worshipping Bix Beiderbecke; beautiful Jimmy, playing his beautiful guitar up in heaven; and me, scarface rock & roller just trying to get across some honesty." - Speedy Keen
