I Just Can’t Stop It: My Life in the Beat
The autobiogrpaphy of Ranking Roger, co-written with Daniel Rachel, will be published by Omnibus in spring 2019
Summer smashes
In the year of the 40th anniversary of Rock Against Racism, join Daniel at a clutch talks, events, and festivals as well as his regular slot as guest contributor on BBC 5 LIve 'The Record [...]
Rock Against Racism 40th Anniversary
Carnival Against the Nazis To celebrate the 1978 Rock Against Racism Carnival Against the Nazis, the Migration Museum is hosting an exhibition of memorabillia until September 2018. In April, Daniel chaired an in-conversation with original [...]
David Bowie book
When Ziggy Played the Marquee features the photography of Terry o'Neil with text by Daniel Rachel. When Ziggy played The Marquee Club in Soho, London, in October 1973, most of those invited to the small venue [...]
Steve Lamacq Show BBC 6 Music
Daniel talks to Steve about his Good Day Bad Records sharing stories about his first single 'Too Much Too Young' by the Specials and a one-to-one performance with Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08xkzft Interview at [...]
Modcast special
In conversation with Annajoy David, Eddie Pillar and Dean Rudland
Rough Trade podcast
In conversation and playing the records of the Specials, Kate Tempest, the Style Council, and the Selecter.
Guardian review
'This definitive books suggests that now might be the time to learn from the story it tells.' John Harris reviews the paperback of edition of Walls Come Tumbling Down by Daniel Rachel.
NME podcast with Billy Bragg
Listen to author Daniel Rachel and Billy Bragg discuss new Rock Against Racism book ‘Walls Come Tumbling Down’ ByDamian Jones Apr 28, 2017 A podcast featuring Billy Bragg and award winning author Daniel Rachel has been posted online. [...]
Guardian feature/ Penderyn Book of the Year
British 70s protest-music chronicle wins music book of the year Daniel Rachel’s Walls Come Tumbling Down, an exhaustive account of the Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge movements, takes the Penderyn music book [...]
Penderyn Book Music Prize 2017 – acceptance speech
Walls Come Tumbling Down: the music and politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge has won the Penderyn Music Book Prize 2017. 'The Mercury Prize of Books' - NME 'I am so [...]
Penderyn Book Music Prize 2017 winner
Walls Come Tumbling Down: the music and politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge has won the Penderyn Music Book Prize 2017. 'The Mercury Prize of Books' - NME 'I am so thrilled [...]
BBC Radio 5 – The Up All Night Record Club
Daniel will be the guest contributor on the first of a new BBC Radio 5 Live series 'The Up All Night Recortd Club' Episode 1: The Beatles 'Revolver' The Human League 'Dare' Both albums, upon [...]
Friends of the Earth – best protest song?
Friends of the Earth invited prominant people to contribute to question, 'Which is the best protest song?' 10 January 2017 Which is the best protest song? They can stir our hearts, emotions and actions. [...]
25 Song Video Playlist with exclusive book extracts
Bob Marley – I Shot the Sherriff DAVID HINDS Clapton was hailed as a god because of the Yardbirds and then Cream, but I thought ‘I Shot The Sheriff’ was utter rubbish. It was nowhere on [...]
Ocean Colour Scene tour programme
Ocean Colour Scene's Moseley Shoals 20th anniversary tour programme features words from Daniel. taken from the deluxe re-issue.
BBC 6 Music interview with Shaun Keaveny
Daniel talks to Shaun about socialism, anti-fascism and the Specials chasing racists out of the dance hall. Listen again. Interview at 2hrs
Two short films: the records and the story behind the book
In conversation with Jean from Picador about the events that contribute to Walls Come Tumbling Down. Daniel talks through the music behind Walls Come Tumbling Down Check out some of Daniel's recommendations on a special playlist [...]
Tracey Thorn feature in New Statesman
Read Tracey Thorn's article 'What has happened to Political Pop' about Red Wedge and clearing up after Billy Bragg, in the New Statesman.
Daniel reading an extract from Walls Come Tumbling Down
Extract from the opening pages about Eric Clapton's racist rant at the Birmingham Odeon in August 1976
MOJO triple page feature
Mojo Magazine 3 page extract from Walls Come Tumbling Down about the 2 Tone, 1979 featuring the Specials, the Selecter and Madness.
Recent events and images
People's History Museum with Billy Bragg: 'An amazing oral history of a time when pop culture fought against the forces of darkness. Well worth reading not just by those who were there, but also by [...]
Guardian Book of the Week
This is a triumphant oral history of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge, a timely account of 1970s-80s musicians who fought against bigotry and Thatcherism John Harris review of Walls Come Tumbling Down...'triumphant...definitive book...the [...]
Fred Perry subculture exclusive playlist and feature
11 track playlist especially chosen for Fred Perry by Daniel coupled with and an exclusive interview at Fred Perry subculture
Birmingham Literary Festival
Film from the Walls Come Tumbling Down in conversation at the Birmingham Literary Festival Studio Theatre (l-r) Richard Coles, Ruth Gregory, Ranking Roger, Daniel Rachel.