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Access All Areas: A Backstage Pass Through 50 Years of Music and Culture tells the story of how a music-loving, budding journalist from a Chicago suburb became the defining music publicist of her generation. With an exclusive foreword from Elvis Costello, Barbara Charone’s debut memoir is a time capsule of the last fifty years, told through the lens of music, from the incredible woman who set the cultural agenda in her work with a myriad of stars including Keith Richards, Foo Fighters, REM, Rod Stewart and Madonna. 

Lee Brackstone, Publisher at White Rabbit, has acquired World rights from Cathryn Summerhayes at Curtis Brown for Access All Areas: A Backstage Pass Through 50 Years of Music and Culture by Barbara Charone to be published on 23rd June 2022. 

First as a journalist and then a publicist at Warner Brothers Records for nearly twenty years, Barbara Charone has experienced, first-hand, the changes in the cultural landscape. Access All Areas is a personal, insightful and humorous memoir packed with stories of being on the cultural frontline, from first writing press releases on a typewriter driven by TippEx, then as a press officer for heavy metal bands taking the bus up to Donington Festival with coffee, croissants and the much more popular sulfate. To taking on Madonna, an unknown girl from Detroit, and telling Smash Hits 'you don't have to run the piece if the single doesn't chart', and becoming a true pioneer in music, Charone continues to work with the biggest names in music, including Depeche Mode, Robert Plant, Foo Fighters and Mark Ronson at her agency MBCPR.

Barbara Charone said: “I’d often thought of writing this book especially after a few glasses of wine with friends but somehow never got round to it. By chance, Bobby Gillespie happened to read one of my old articles about the Stones during lockdown,and suggested I speak to Lee Brackstone. I can’t think of a better home for this than White Rabbit.”

Lee Brackstone said: “Whether you know it or not, Barbara Charone’s uncanny taste and understanding of the pop culture zeitgeist has been the invisible compass driving your gig-going and music-buying habits for the past forty years. A maverick PR with the magic touch, her magnificent memoir tells the story of a music-obsessed girl from Chicago who falls in love with British counter-culture, destined to re-shape it for multiple generations.”

Born in Chicago, Barbara moved to London after graduating from Northwestern University. The first half of her career was spent as a music journalist working for NMESoundsRolling StoneCrawdaddy and Cream before writing the authorised biography Keith Richards: Life As A Rolling Stone in 1979. 

In November 2000, after almost 20 years at Warner Brothers, Barbara co-founded leading independent music agency MBCPR with Moira Bellas where she still works now. Within six months it became one of the country’s top music PR firms. The current client roster includes: Madonna, Mark Ronson, Foo Fighters, Elvis Costello, Keith Richards, Rod Stewart, Kasabian, Metallica, Depeche Mode, Texas, Rag’n’Bone Man, St Vincent, Pearl Jam, Olly Murs, Ray Davies  and Rufus Wainwright. 

Barbara Charone is one of the most respected women working in the music business. In November 2001, Charone and her business partner, Moira Bellas, were honoured as Women of the Year by Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and The Brit Trust. Then, in both 2006 and 2009, Barbara won the coveted Music Week Press Award. 

Access All Areas: A Backstage Pass Through 50 Years of Music and Culture will be published by White Rabbit on 23rd June 2022 in hardback, ebook and audio. 

15 Jul 2025 | Press release

Co-op Live's Annual £1 Million Donation to Co-op Foundation Supporting Youth-Led Social Change

FungALL among first wave of projects backed by Young Gamechangers Fund empowering young leaders in Manchester and beyond  Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena, is marking its first year with a major milestone – the first in an annual donation...more

15 Jul 2025 | Press release

European artists unite in powerful campaign urging policymakers to 'Stay True To the [AI] Act'

  Today [15 JULY], over 30 prominent and up and coming artists from across the EU have launched a united video campaign urging EU policymakers to uphold the original intent of the EU AI Act and protect creators from the unchecked...more

15 Jul 2025 | Press release

StrmMusic Joins Forces With Breaking Sound, Kicks Off US and Live Music Expansion

  StrmMusic, the music career accelerator, is now the official distribution partner of Breaking Sound, the live showcase organization dedicated to highlighting emerging artists in premium venues. To kick off the partnership, the two organizations are announcing a showcase at LA's Peppermint...more

15 Jul 2025 | Press release

Fatboy Slim book launch - It Ain't Over... 'Til the Fatboy Sings

FATBOY SLIM IN CONVERSATION WITH PRESENTER GUY LLOYD  AT THEATRE ROYAL IN BRIGHTON  TUESDAY 14TH OCTOBER TICKETS HERE   Join legendary DJ, producer and Brighton icon Norman Cook - AKA Fatboy Slim - for an intimate evening celebrating the publication of his debut book,...more

15 Jul 2025 | Press release

Hull sets out ambitious 5-year music plan to build, support and promote a successful, sustainable music industry

Bid for UNESCO City of Music status for 2027 Newly appointed Hull Music Board     Hull sets its sights on the coveted, globally renowned UNESCO City of Music status, to join UK cities Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast and London, as it sets out an...more

15 Jul 2025 | Press release

Iconic Brighton Venue Transformed Into Quarters

Electronic event specialists AMAAD will completely rebuild the space, formerly known as The Arch, to create a dynamic cultural space. Quarters will be inclusive and affordable, delivering high-quality electronic and live music, adding to the rich tapestry of Brighton’s club...more

14 Jul 2025 | Press release

ClicknClear Wins 2025 WIPO Global Award

Honoured by the UN’s Intellectual Property Agency for Innovation with Global Impact   ClicknClear, a UK-based copyright technology platform, has been named one of ten global winners of the 2025 WIPO Global Awards, a prestigious initiative of the World Intellectual Property Organization...more

14 Jul 2025 | Press release

NTIA Says Ban on Upward-Only Rent Review a Clear Signal of Government's Intent to Back Local Business and Night Time Economy

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed the Government’s Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, describing the decision to ban upward-only rent review (UORR) clauses as a landmark win for independent businesses and a clear direction of intent to support...more

14 Jul 2025 | Press release

NTIA to give Evidence in Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry on Modernising Protections in place for Built Heritage

House of Commons - Culture, Media and Sport Committee  Protecting built heritage inquiry: MPs hear from historic places of worship and creative industries – Tuesday 15 July at 10am   Evidence session   Protecting built heritage Tuesday 15 July, 10am, Committee Room 16, Palace of Westminster  Watch live...more

13 Jul 2025 | Press release

Official Charts presents honorary award for album featuring tracks by stars including Bob Geldof, U2, Brian May, Sting and Madonna

Album released featuring pop and rock’s greatest hits   PURCHASE TICKETS HERE FOR JUST FOR ONE DAY - THE LIVE AID MUSICAL  Bob Geldof accepted a special honorary award from Official Charts on the release of an album featuring 8 UK Number 1...more

11 Jul 2025 | Press release

Angry Mob Music Continues Marching Forward with New Brand Identity

 New Identity Re-Introduces Angry Mob Music as Modern, Key Player in the Independent Publishing Community   Angry Mob Music Group, an independent music publisher boldly serving songwriters, composers, artists, and creatives, has announced the launch of their new brand identity. Angry Mob's revitalized...more

11 Jul 2025 | Press release

OneRepublic sign new global recordings partnership with BMG

The deal marks the group's first new label home in nearly two decades   Grammy nominated and multi-Platinum selling band OneRepublic have signed a new global recordings partnership with BMG to release their upcoming seventh studio album. The first single, "Beautiful Colors",...more

11 Jul 2025 | Press release

Comment from the Musicians' Union on the government's approach to cutting disability benefits

  Naomi Pohl, MU General Secretary, said: "I would urge the government to rethink its approach to cutting disability benefits.  "Our latest Musicians' Census showed disabled musicians already face serious financial challenges, including a pay gap of 13 per cent, and many unable...more

11 Jul 2025 | Press release

Reservoir extends deal with Grammy-winning songwriter-producer Khris Riddick-Tynes

  Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a new global publishing deal with Grammy Award-winning songwriter-producer Khris Riddick-Tynes, who has been represented by the Company since 2020. Under the extended partnership, Reservoir will continue to...more

11 Jul 2025 | Press release

Bronski Beat receive PRS For Music Heritage Award, presented by Tom Rasmussen, at site of historic debut performance

  Award formally recognises the lasting impact of the seminal 80s band and the venue where they began their careers, The Bell in London's King's Cross (presently Big Chill) UK star Tom Rasmussen to deliver commemorative performance and unveil a plaque during...more

11 Jul 2025 | Press release

River House Artists and Sony Music Publishing Sign Rising Singer-Songwriter Kenny Whitmire

  River House Artists, in partnership with Sony Music Publishing Nashville, announced today the signing of breakthrough country singer-songwriter Kenny Whitmire to a global publishing agreement. Kenny Whitmire moved to Nashville in 2022 to pursue a career in songwriting and quickly began...more

11 Jul 2025 | Press release

TikTok launches #THISISFOR campaign to celebrate the new album from global K-Pop sensations TWICE

TikTok has partnered with TWICE on an immersive in-app experience featuring exclusive content Fans can engage with the #THISISFOR campaign to unlock a profile frame, collect digital stickers, and access exclusive merch and rewards TikTok is excited to unveil #THISISFOR, a...more

10 Jul 2025 | Press release

UK music tech sector faces critical

MTUK's first-ever state of the nation report on the UK music tech sector urges the Government to ensure music tech remains a cornerstone of the UK's creative economy   A comprehensive new report from Music Technology UK (MTUK), the UK trade association dedicated to...more

10 Jul 2025 | Press release

Northampton's Billy Lockett signs gargantuan publishing deal with independent Notting Hill Music

  Critically acclaimed British singer-songwriter Billy Lockett has inked an immense global publishing deal with Notting Hill Music, one of the UK's most respected independent music publishers. The deal marks a pivotal moment in Lockett's flourishing career, following a breakout few years that have seen him...more

10 Jul 2025 | Press release

Concord Music Publishing Signs Global Deal with Grammy-Nominated Producer Duo Tropkillaz

Marking Concord’s First Signing Out of Brazil    Concord Music Publishing is thrilled to announce the signing of Tropkillaz, the dynamic GRAMMY-nominated Brazilian production duo of Zegon and Laudz, to a global publishing agreement covering all new copyrights. This landmark deal, orchestrated...more

10 Jul 2025 | Press release

Symphonic Distribution Partners with Third Chair to Monitor Music on Social Media for Proper Sync Usage, Maximizing Revenue

  Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, has partnered with Third Chair (previously Watchdog) to utilize their IP enforcement services to monitor social media music usages and protect all of the music under Symphonic's...more

10 Jul 2025 | Press release

FUGA Partners With Arketyp Group, the New Venture From YEAR0001 Co-Founder Oskar Ekman

Deal expands FUGA’s footprint in the Nordic region and follows new signings from Arketyp Group and YEAR0001Downtown-owned, B2B distributor FUGA has today announced a new global partnership with Arketyp Group, the newly launched independent label group founded by Swedish music...more

09 Jul 2025 | Press release

Levellr Unveils AI Tool to Decode Real-Time Fan Sentiment on Discord

New feature gives artists, labels, and brands instant insight into what fans really think, feel, and care about View demo dashboard here Levellr, the fan community platform powering next-gen artist-to-fan connections, has launched a cutting-edge AI social listening tool designed to unlock...more

09 Jul 2025 | Press release

The UK's Official biggest songs and albums on vinyl of 2025 so far revealed

Sam Fender scoops the biggest vinyl album of 2025 so far Oasis secure best-selling vinyl single of the year so far with 'Whatever' anniversary reissue   Sam Fender's People Watching claims the best-selling vinyl album of 2025 so far! Congratulations are in order for  Sam...more

09 Jul 2025 | Press release

Rebecca Lucy Taylor a.k.a Self Esteem to curate at this year's Southbank Centre's London Literature Festival

The festival also features Adam Buxton, Alexis Wright, Bora Chung, Charlie Macksey, Chris Kraus, Claire-Louise Bennett, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Funmi Fetto, Jackie Kay, Jimi Famurewa, Kelly Frost, Lisa Smith, Malala Yousafzai, Michael Rosen, Nikita Gill, Neoprene Genie, Nesrine Malik, Olga Ravn, Pankaj Mishra,...more

09 Jul 2025 | Press release

'Don't Look Back In Anger' takes title of most played Oasis song of 21st Century

‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ has been revealed as Oasis’s most played track on UK radio and TV in the 21st century, according to new data from music licensing company PPL. Following the band’s euphoric live return to universally glowing...more

09 Jul 2025 | Press release

Tom Walker signs global publishing deal with BMG

  Platinum-selling British singer-songwriter Tom Walker has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with BMG. The deal brings together Walker’s deeply personal songwriting and unmistakable voice with BMG’s industry-leading publishing capabilities.  Known for his breakthrough hits “Leave a Light On” and “Just You and...more

09 Jul 2025 | Press release

Statement on UK Government Decision to ban Employer NDAs

A statement from Gaby Cartwright, Head of Partnerships, LIVE in response to the UK Government's decision to make amendments to The Employment Rights Bill that will ban employers from using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that silence workplace harassment and abuse. Changes set to be introduced to...more

08 Jul 2025 | Press release

BBC Radio 2 listeners to vote for Your Ultimate 80s Duet

  The 1980s saw some of the world's best loved popstars unite to create some of the most magical and much-loved duets ever made. Today (7th July), Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast show and BBC Sounds announced voting has opened for Your...more

08 Jul 2025 | Press release

AIF calls for Competition and Markets Authority to investigate Live Nation

Live Nation could be held responsible for engaging in anti-competitive behaviour, according to AIF analysis.   The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has called for an investigation into Live Nation from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority. The trade body recently provided evidence...more

15 Jul 2025

  • Industry calls for streaming sites to tag music created by AI-generated acts (see News)

14 Jul 2025

  • “Content is king” say analysts - so why is Spotify worth more than the entire music rights industry? (see Comment)

11 Jul 2025

  • Where’s the next wave of working-class rock stars? (see Features)

  • Populists vs. tech titans: The battle over AI and the future of music (see Comment)

10 Jul 2025

  • Can TikTok revive classic songs? A statistical analysis (see Analysis)

09 Jul 2025

  • UMG’s Michael Nash: ‘AI can be instrumental to the future of music’ (see Digital)

08 Jul 2025

  • In the post-music streaming era, do artists and labels give too much away? (see Comment)

07 Jul 2025

  • Songwriters ‘missing millions in royalties from more than 100,000 UK gigs’ (see News)

  • Merck Mercuriadis plots comeback with Hipgnosis remix (see Business)

04 Jul 2025

  • V&A East Storehouse to open the David Bowie Centre (see News)

  • ESCA calls on the EU to block Universal Music’s deal to buy Downtown (see News)

  • Virgin Music CEOs push back against critics of Downtown Music deal (see News)

03 Jul 2025

  • Record labels are running on empty (see Opinion)

  • AI music is going viral, but it’s not what fans want (see Comment)

02 Jul 2025

  • The Velvet Sundown may be the first breakout AI band from Suno (see Digital)

  • Amid cuts, WMG to "continue to supercharge our capabilities in long-term artist, songwriter, and catalog development" (see Business)