Published: 3rd February 2021
Journalist, broadcaster, cultural commentator, club promoter, DJ and entrepreneur – Gary Crowley is one of those rare individuals who deserves the title “legend”.
For more than 40 years he has been immersed in music. From his teenage post punk fanzine days (while still at school in the late 1970, Gary founded the New Wave fanzine “The Modern World) to Britpop and beyond. His passion for music is only equalled by his enthusiasm when it comes to championing new bands.
As well as fronting TV programmes he has hosted iconic radio shows for Capital, GLR. Soho Radio and BBC Radio London.
We tracked him down to discover his Best Days Out…
I’m currently putting the final touches to a Gary Crowley Lost 80s 2 compilation 4 CD box set for those cool folk at Demon Records (released in June.
It features another personal selection of Rare, Diverse And Eclectic tracks from that golden period of pop – 1980-87.
Carluccios has always been a family favourite, even though the chain has sadly been drastically cut over the past few years.
My fondest memories are taking my daughter Mia there as a child and watching her tucking into her pasta whilst I also tried my hardest to stop her from causing havoc and turning the place upside down.
*The Beatles Statue, Liverpool
I’ve never not had an amazing time in Liverpool and I’ve been there many times over the years.
There’s so much to do up there (especially for a “Beatle Nut” like me) and I’ve always found Liverpudlians to be so warm, funny and lively.
2. Soho: Mia has been a fan of Soho ever since she 3/4 years of age. A treat for her was to sit outside Bar Italia in the sunshine and enjoy a Babyccino and ‘people-watch’. It was heaven for me too.
Nowadays as a teenager she still enjoys Soho’s diversity and colourfulness whilst a Falafel and Schnitzel at Maoz on Old Compton Street is her idea of bliss.
It’s a part of London that just keeps on giving to the whole family.
Primrose Hill is my personal favourite.
I have so many memories of the place stretching back most of my life. From playing weekly football there as a kid with my school to enjoying those sumptuous views of London’s skyline with girlfriends to taking my daughter to the children’s playground and watching her play.
It is such a magical place for me and has lost none of it’s uniqueness with the passing of time. Without being too morbid, I’d like my ashes scattered there one day!
Easy peasey! The bus wins every time for me.
Being sat on top of a London double decker bus (preferably at the front!) and I am instantly a kid again. Happy as Larry. I’ve always been a great ‘people-watcher’ and there’s no better place to do that on top of a London bus.