Reviewed by John Cheek

In 1987 Steve Turner's book Hungry For Heaven: Rock 'n' Roll And The Search For Redemption was a powerful thesis, arguing that the best in post-war rock and pop was, underneath it all, a conscious and unconscious search for redemption in this life. In 1979, Richard Barnes' book Mods! became the definitive description of the Mod movement. In 2024, the story of Peter Meaden, King Mod is possibly the best music biography of a non-musician ever written. Meaden, as well as managing The Who, Jimmy James and The Vagabonds and The Steve Gibbons Band, was THE ace face and before his death in 1978 was one of several individuals upon whom the lead character of Jimmy was based for the 'Quadrophenia' album and later film. Turner, as well as being the best-selling biographer of The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Cash, U2 and many others, is also a Christian whose journalism (and poetry) will be familiar to some of those reading this. Here, he finally puts on record the life of someone who was a personal friend of his as well as one of the most important, if little known, cultural zeitgeitists of the 20th century.

Turner's taut prose is fast-paced, doesn't waste a word and shows a Mod-like attention to detail. Moreover, it reveals a stunning amount of research into the life of a man who had destroyed his papers, accounts and press-cuttings before his death. You find yourself thinking, "How did he find that out?" However, Turner had already spent many hours interviewing Peter Meaden and, over five decades, has gone on to interview just about everyone relevant to the story including all four original Who members. Along with a lavish layout, we have the author's own anecdotal memories, including taking his subject to watch Christian rock performer Larry Norman at a packed Royal Albert Hall and later, to see the Sex Pistols at London's 100 Club in September 1976. Fans of The Who will be interested in the details of the enigma of a man who really took them from being a directionless, R&B combo to the verge of greatness - only to be robbed of his charges, then to end up working for the group again near the end of his life. Along the way, we learn of how Meaden embraced hedonism, fashion and drug abuse to escape from traditional family life, expectations and career paths. Turner's style of writing is compelling and sustains the narrative over many pages, accompanied by rare photography, probably mostly never published before. As with his career opus, Hungry For Heaven, Turner's analysis reveals hidden, unconscious searches within music and those who make it and, in Meaden's case, it lays bare his need to be a part of the music business - and to 'lose' himself by dancing alone at The Scene Club. King Mod reveals a man - and a lifestyle - seeking meaning, purpose and truth by choosing to escape from domesticity, commitment and responsibility, with tragic consequences.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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