Author talk: Jon Savage on The Secret Public

In conversation the Guardian’s arts editor, Alex Needham, Jon will describe 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. He will examine the fortitude and resilience of the gay community through key figures in popular music and culture, reflecting on the freedom found in divergence from the norm. As we celebrate Pride Month, The Secret Public provides a rallying cry,  reminding us of the need to be vigilant against those seeking to roll back the rights of marginalised groups.

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

Alex Needham is arts editor of the Guardian. He has been a journalist since 1995, when he started his career at Smash Hits magazine. He went on to work for the Face as features editor, and NME as deputy editor. He has written for a number of other publications including Butt magazine, the New York Times, Fantastic Man and W.