Kris Needs

We knew we were in for an amazing ride because that’s just what Kris Needs has had so far in his incredible life as a music lover, author, musician, DJ and all-round good guy. So, just in case you’re feeling a bit foggy on the details; Mr Needs first foray into the music business was as president of Mott the Hoople’s Fan Club, he contributed and then became editor of the seminal Zigzag magazine interviewing a coterie of music icons including The Clash (with whom he held a long-time friendship), The Pistols, Bob Marley, Keith Richards, Johnny Thunders, The Ramones, Souxsie and the Banshees…the list is long and phenomenal!

From there Kris wrote for the NME and Sounds, released a single featuring half of The Clash, co-ran the legendary Bat Cave Club before moving to New York to write for Creem magazine. He returned to the UK in 1990, writing for NME, Mixmag, Echoes, DJ and Muzik, releasing incendiary music as Secret Knowledge and Delta Lady, as well as touring the world with Primal Scream and Prodigy and forming a disco group with Irvine Welsh. If that wasn’t enough to kill him, he has authored numerous books including biographies of Primal Scream (‘The Scream’ currently being rewritten for an updated edition), The Clash, Keith Richards, and New York Dolls. His autobiography ‘Needs Must’ is essential reading for its incredible depth and honesty; it is a moving portrayal of a man who has lived the life and come through the other side.

Kris still contributes insightful articles to a host of monthly and online magazines including Classic Rock, Record Collector, Shindig and Vive le Rock, still DJ’s and lives in Cornwall with his beloved rabbits. He has recently reformed Secret Knowledge with Wonder and will be honouring Chinwag with a world exclusive preview of the new version of their classic ‘Sugar Daddy’.