23 Sep 2023
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Posted in book By Bill Kopp On September 23, 2023

Update: What’s the Big Idea

UPDATE: I’m revising this page whenever there’s new news. — bk

I began work on my third music-related book a few months ago. I’ll be delivering the finished manuscript for What’s The Big Idea: Great Concept Albums to my publisher (HoZac Books) next spring, and the book is scheduled for publication in 2024.

Work is progressing nicely, and while I’m keeping the specific subjects under wraps until each is in the bag (so to speak), at this stage I can reveal some of what readers will find within the book. Each chapter focuses upon one artist and conceptual/thematically-unified album, and is based on interviews with relevant parties.

  • Apples in Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time, 2010 (interview: Robert Schneider)
  • Camper Van Beethoven – New Roman Times, 2004 (interview: David Lowery)
  • Captain Sensible – The Universe of Geoffrey Brown, 1993 (interviews: Captain Sensible, Martin Newell)
  • Chad and Jeremy – Of Cabbages and Kings, 1967 (interview: Jeremy Clyde)
  • The Church – The Hypnogogue, 2023 (interview: Steve Kilbey)
  • The Coolies – Doug, 1988 (interview: Rob Gal)
  • Drive-By Truckers – Southern Rock Opera, 2001 (interview: Patterson Hood)
  • Gentle Giant – Three Friends, 1972 (interview: Derek Shulman)
  • Grobschnitt – Rockpommel’s Land, 1977 (interview: Eroc)
  • Hawkwind – The Machine Stops, 2016 (interview: Dave Brock, Kris Tait)
  • The Hold Steady – Separation Sunday, 2005 (interview: Craig Finn)
  • Klaatu – Hope, 1977 (interview: Terry Draper)
  • Patrick Moraz – The Story of I, 1976 (interview: Patrick Moraz)
  • Nektar – Journey to the Centre of the Eye, 1971 (interview: Derek “Mo” Moore)
  • William Shatner — Ponder the Mystery, 2013 (interview: William Shatner)
  • Al Stewart – Past, Present and Future, 1973 (interview: Al Stewart)
  • The Turtles – The Turtles Present The Battle of the Bands, 1968 (interview: Mark Volman)
  • Utopia — Deface the Music, 1980 (interviews: Todd Rundgren, Kasim Sulton, Willie Wilcox)
  • Rick Wakeman – The Six Wives of King Henry VIII , 1973 (interview: Rick Wakeman)
  • Jeff Wayne – The War of the Worlds, 1978 (interview: Jeff Wayne)
  • Frank Zappa – Joe’s Garage, 1987 (interview: Ike Willis)

There’s much more to come, but those are the ones I can announce right now. Keep up with news on What’s the Big Idea by checking in here at Musoscribe.

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About the Author

Bill Kopp

With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.