Cover art for The Secret Public
Published
Faber Music, September 2025
ISBN
9780571358397
Format
Softcover, 784 pages
Dimensions
19.8cm × 12.9cm

The Secret Public A Queer History of Pop

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Due September 16, 2025.
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A GUARDIAN AND EVENING STANDARD BOOK OF THE YEAR

'Fascinating.' NEIL TENNANT

'The missing story of the heart of pop.' JOHNNY MARR

'Superb.' Alexis Petridis

'Dazzling.' GUARDIAN

'So much spine, spunk and guts.' NEW STATESMAN

'Utterly engrossing.' THE WIRE

'Erudite.' OBSERVER

An electrifying look at key moments in music and entertainment history between 1955 and 1979, which helped move gay culture from the margins to the mainstream and changed the face of pop forever - from the ambiguous sexuality of stars such as Little Richard in the 1950s through to David Bowie, glam rock and Sylvester's 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)'.

The Secret Public is a searching examination of the fortitude and resilience of the gay community through the lens of popular music and culture; it reflects on the freedom found in divergence from the norm and reminds us of the need to be vigilant against those seeking to roll back the rights of marginalised groups.

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