"CRAFTING BESTSELLERS - THE WRITING JOURNEY OF AUTHOR DENNIS COATH": DE MODE OF LITERATURE

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE APR V2 2024 VOL VII. ISSUE XLVI | LITERATURE

Article Published on: 18TH JULY 2024 | www.demodemagazine.com

"THE BAND THAT TIME FORGOT" - BY AUTHOR DENNIS COATH

THE BAND THAT TIME FORGOT

In the tumultuous landscape of 1960s rock and roll, where dreams were as grandiose as the riffs echoing through smoky clubs, one band from Derby dared to dream bigger than most. The Dogs, with their infectious energy and rebellious spirit, were poised on the brink of stardom. Their anthem, ‘Treat Me Like a Dog’, was slated to catapult them to the summits of musical glory, or so they believed.

Led by the charismatic duo of Lenny ‘Poddy' Peabody and James ‘Smudger' Smith, The Dogs exuded a raw talent and an unyielding passion for their craft. Yet, fate had a different chord progression in store for them. A chance encounter with another rising sensation, The Beatles, would forever alter their trajectory. While The Beatles ascended to the zenith of the charts, The Dogs found themselves relegated to the shadows of obscurity.

Decades slipped by like fading vinyl records, each member of The Dogs navigating their own winding path through life. Poddy found himself corralling pests instead of crowds, Smudger drifted into the kaleidoscopic world of California’s music scene, Streaky swapped drumsticks for financial ledgers, and Biffo found solace in the annals of history.

But just when it seemed the final curtain had fallen on their rock and roll dreams, destiny orchestrated a reunion that would defy expectations and redefine the very essence of ‘pensioner power’. As the band reconvened for one last recording, they unleashed a modern sound that reverberated with the echoes of their youthful rebellion.

Discover the tumultuous journey of The Dogs, a 1960s rock band from Derby, as they confront illness, contracts, and unexpected alliances on their path to redemption. Despite the challenges, their influence extends beyond music, culminating in the election of the first woman president of the United States. Join us in exploring their captivating saga of resilience and camaraderie amidst the trappings of fame, sex, drugs, and rock and roll—a testament to a generation's unwavering spirit.

BOOK REVIEW

The story of these aging rockers is so compelling, I finished it within twenty-four hours. My grin is only just subsiding. The abiding message is that talent always wins through, even though you may have to wait a lifetime. Dennis Coath has written a story that will resonate with baby boomers who grew up during the golden age of rock. If there are any film producers out there looking for the next feel-good movie, then my advice is to option this book straight away. Like the Band that Time Forgot, you'll make a mint. It offers hope to all of us who dream of sex, Horlicks, and rock n' roll until we kark it.

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JOURNEY OF THE AUTHOR DENNIS COATH

DENNIS COATH

Dennis Coath's career has been a journey of evolution and adaptation, transitioning from journalism to literature with remarkable success. Starting his professional life crafting concise reports for television, Coath's move to authorship was a significant leap for the young journalist. His early literary ventures saw him collaborate with sporting giants Ian Botham and Peter Shilton, a challenging yet formative experience that laid the groundwork for his subsequent solo endeavors.

In 2005, Coath took his first solo step into the literary world with "Treat Me Like a Dog," a precursor to his magnum opus, "The Band That Time Forgot." Despite being 71 at the time, Coath continued to defy expectations by pursuing a master's degree in history at The University of Bristol. His published thesis, delving into the intriguing story of medieval King Egbert's quest for English kingship under the tutelage of Emperor Charlemagne, showcased his academic rigor and narrative skill.

Following his academic pursuits, Coath turned his attention back to journalism with his vividly titled guide, "Rats, Pies, and Pigeon Poo." Illustrated with amusing anecdotes from his four-decade career, the book served as a comprehensive resource for aspiring journalists and sports reporters, further solidifying Coath's reputation as a versatile storyteller.

However, it is with "The Band That Time Forgot" that Coath truly captured the imagination of readers. This novel chronicles the epic journey of a rock band destined for greatness, only to fall from grace before staging a remarkable comeback in their later years. Launching the phenomenon of "pensioner power," the band defies age and expectations, outselling even The Beatles and playing a pivotal role in electing the first woman president of the United States. Featuring six original songs penned by Coath himself, the novel is a testament to the enduring power of music and the indomitable spirit of human resilience. In "The Band That Time Forgave," Coath follows The Dogs' quest for European conquest, offering readers adventure, camaraderie, and the timeless charm of rock and roll.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OF AUTHOR DENNIS COATH WITH DE MODE

Q: What inspired you to write 'The Band That Time Forgot,' and how did you come up with the unique premise of the story?

A. At 76, I feel more creative than ever, having just completed a Master's in history. I acted on a rumor, there was another group in 1962 that expected to be bigger than the Beatles but didn't make it. After an old age reunion, they outsell the fab four and get the first woman president of the USA elected!

Q: The novel spans several decades and explores themes of friendship, fame, and the passage of time. What message or themes do you hope readers take away from the book?

A. There are several key messages. Anything is possible. Never give up. Money isn't everything. Fame can be a burden. But above all, it is anti-ageist, anti-sexist, and fun.

Q: Can you tell us about your background as a former sports editor, presenter, and reporter with ITV? How has your career in journalism influenced your writing?

A. I write in a frantic hurry as I was used to doing live reports on TV in circumstances where you have minutes to write a script or simply have to ad-lib. My world travels with ITV have inspired my work now. In one year I reported from Vietnam twice, South Africa, New Zealand, and several European countries.

Q: 'The Band That Time Forgot' touches on the music industry, fame, and the impact of the Beatles. What kind of research did you undertake to accurately portray this era in music history?

A. As a teenager I used to see bands like the Beatles, Rolling Stones and the Who in London clubs like The Marquee. I remember seeing Jimi Hendrix before he became famous. As a journalist, I have covered gigs and conducted interviews with people like Chuck Berry, Rod Stewart, and Free. This is a 'real' experience!

Q: The characters in your novel, particularly Poddy, Smudger, Streaky, and Biffo, have distinct personalities and experiences. Are they based on real people or inspired by anyone in particular?

A. Yes. Usually, they are an amalgam of two or three people. Smudger was inspired by a hippy figure I met in Portugal who was strumming on the seafront. Biffo is a mixture of a couple of miserable curmudgeons I worked with.

Q: As someone who has interviewed iconic figures like Muhammad Ali and Ayrton Senna, how have these experiences shaped your storytelling & character development?

A. Meeting people who are larger than life is awesome. I have interviewed Muhammad Ali twice. What a presence. Senna was very elusive, but I eventually got an interview. What I tried to do was get into their minds to find out what made them tick.

Q: The Dogs' journey from obscurity to fame is a central theme of the book. What inspired you to explore this narrative arc, and what challenges did you face in bringing it to life?

A. Firstly, to make a fantasy believable. Serious musicians improve with age. I have recently seen The Who and The Stones and in their late seventies and early eighties, they are better than ever! In 1962 the Dogs are expected to better the Beatles. In their seventies and eighties, they re-form, launched 'pensioner power', and outsell the Beatles.