I Was There: Alan Edwards in conversation with Jon Savage

Join the godfather of modern music PR Alan Edwards in conversation with award-winning music author Jon Savage for an evening discussing Alan Edwards’ memoir, detailing his work with everyone from Bowie to Blondie; the Rolling Stones to the Spice Girls; Prince to Amy Winehouse.

Published by Simon & Schuster on 6 June 2024 ‘I Was There‘ traces Edwards’ career from the thriving punk scene of ’70s London, which inspired him to set up his own PR company, through his work with acts such as Blondie and the Rolling Stones, his collaboration with David Bowie over nearly four decades, his move into the pop world with the Spice Girls, and beyond.

In an intimate conversation with journalist and writer Jon Savage in the John Rylands’ Historic Reading Room expect to find out more about all the entertaining tales of rock-star antics one might expect, but also dive further into Edwards’ fascinating observations about the brilliant artists he has worked with, and what makes them tick.

This event will give guests a unique opportunity to explore the rise of PR as a major force in British society from one of the trailblazers in the industry. Even as Edwards’ career takes off and allows him to play a crucial background role in the lives and careers of some of the world’s biggest stars, he retains a powerful sense of being an outsider – never forgetting how lucky he is to look back on decades of music and culture and say, ‘I was there’.

The event is presented by Creative Manchester in partnership with the John Rylands Research Institute and Library.

Creative Manchester is an interdisciplinary research platform based at The University of Manchester. The platform champions research in creativity and creative practice, bringing together research communities with external stakeholders to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities. Please visit the website for more information about Creative Manchester.

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Alan Edwards is the Founder of public relations agency The Outside Organisation and an instinctive storyteller. The company has represented an eclectic range of clients, including some of the biggest music stars on the planet, corporations and brands, government, royalty, celebrities, charities, events and sports legends.

During an illustrious 45-year career, Alan has worked with an incredible number of high-profile artists, bands and companies; David Bowie (for nearly four decades), The Who, Victoria and David Beckham, the NFL, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin, Amy Winehouse, Shakira, P Diddy, Britney Spears, Naomi Campbell, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Michael Jackson, WME, Channel 5, Red Bull, Iron Maiden, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sir Paul McCartney, entertainment company AEG, Sony and EMI record labels, the Big Brother TV franchise, One Love Manchester and, of course, The Spice Girls.

Alan was the third recipient of the huge honour of being inducted into PR Week’s Hall of Fame in 2017, and is also probably the only PR in the world who has been an “exhibit” twice at the coveted Victoria and Albert Museum. In April 2015, through a unique 3-week long live event, (“Always Print The Myth: PR in the Modern Age”), Alan reflected on the evolving role of PR within fashion, culture, media, entertainment, sports and politics across the past 40 years. And as contributor to Pink Floyd’s “Their Mortal Remains” in 2017.

Alan is also a regular contributor to TV and Radio. He fronted the BBC’s “Music Moguls” programme in 2016 – examining how PR and music are intertwined -and in 2018 did a second BBC series, “Hip Hype and Hustle”.

From his early days representing punk bands in the 70s to working with global superstars, brands and businesses today, Alan and Outside have always lived by an ethos of telling compelling stories for clients in an honest and creative way.

As of March 2024, Alan has been named by PR Week the No 1 in Entertainment PR for an unprecedented tenth year in a row.

Jon Savage is an award winning author and film writer. His books include 'England's Dreaming: Sex Pistols and Punk Rock', 'Teenage - The Creation of Youth 1875-1945', '1966: The Year The Decade Exploded' and 'This Searing Light: The Oral History of Joy Division'. Films include the BAFTA winning 'The Brian Epstein Story', ‘Teenage' and 'Joy Division'. He has worked across the media for the last 45 years. He was appointed Professor of Popular Culture at The University of Manchester in 2020. His new book 'The Secret Public: How LGBTQ Performers Shaped Popular Culture (1955 - 1979)' is published in June 2024 by Faber & Faber.   

Event Venue

John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, United Kingdom