Andy Hughes has been a professional freelance music journalist for over forty years.
He has written for over one hundred national and international magazines and newspapers, including Record Mirror, Melody Maker, NME, and Creem (USA).

During his career he has travelled extensively (both nationally and internationally), to interview artists and review concerts and festivals, covering almost every genre of popular music. He has interviewed a wide variety of famous musicians.

Today Andy Hughes continues to travel extensively to interview musicians and review concerts and festivals. He continues to still interview musicians and write for a range of music media and websites.

Andy is an experienced Guest Speaker who loves to share his wide-ranging knowledge of popular music. He has delivered a wide range of lectures about Icons of Popular Music.

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ICONS OF POPULAR MUSIC:

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AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN FOCUS:

ELVIS PRESLEY: THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL (PART ONE)
An exploration of the childhood and early career of Elvis Presley, with music journalist Andy Hughes. Discover Elvis’s early days in Tupelo, his breakthrough in Memphis, and his explosive impact on popular music. Relive those hits from ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ to ‘Hound Dog’!

ELVIS PRESLEY: THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL (PART TWO)
A continuation of the life, career and music of Elvis Presley from Andy Hughes. Find out about Elvis’s army life, his film career, the Las Vegas years, and his tragic demise, and the continuing impact and legacy of ‘THE King’ today. Revisit hits such as ‘Love Me Tender’ and ‘American Trilogy’.

MOTOWN - AMERICA'S ICONIC RECORD LABEL
Motown Records: the most famous American record label! How did the dream of one songwriter to create the most influential record label in the world succeed? Find out from music journalist Andy Hughes, about Motown’s stars and the hits that continue to fill dance floors today. Re-discover artists such as Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, and The Temptations.

BOB MARLEY - THE CARIBBEAN'S MUSIC ICON
The life, career and impact of Reggae legend Bob Marley is discussed by music journalist Andy Hughes. Discover Marley’s early life and the development of his music. Andy talks in detail about Marley’s eventful journey from the streets of Trenchtown, Jamaica to worldwide fame. Enjoy following in the footsteps of this Caribbean icon!

REGGAE - THE CARIBBEAN SOUND THAT INFLUENCED POPULAR MUSIC
Reggae, the iconic music of the Caribbean, is popular around the world. Join music journalist Andy Hughes, for a fascinating and detailed journey through the history of reggae. Learn about its earliest beginnings in Jamaica, the roots of Ska and the rise of reggae from London mod clubs, through to Madness and UB40 today.

BRITISH FOCUS:

THE BEATLES - THE GROUP THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (PART ONE)
This talk from music journalist Andy Hughes, explores the Beatles’ early days, their musical influences and the Hamburg years. How did four lads from Liverpool manage to revolutionise popular music? Immerse yourself in their hits, from ‘Please Please Me’ to ‘Twist and Shout’.

THE BEATLES - THE GROUP THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (PART TWO)
A continuation of the exploration of the life and themes of the Beatles, from Andy Hughes. Hear about their decision to stop touring and retreat to the studio, their acrimonious break-up, and what came next. Discover their continuing impact on popular music. Relive their music, from ‘All You Need Is Love’ to ‘Get Back’!

(Please Note – the two parts of the Beatles talks can be offered as one condensed fifty-minute talk if schedules require.)

CILLA BLACK - LIVERPOOL'S QUEEN OF ENTERTAINMENT
THE life and themes of Liverpool singer 'Our Cilla' is recalled by music journalist Andy Hughes. Learn about her phenomenal rise from office worker and cloakroom attendant, to chart topper and television superstar.

LIVERPOOL'S MUSIC ICONS - MERSEYBEAT IN THE 1960'S
Music journalist Andy Hughes takes you back to the golden days of Liverpool music: the Merseybeat. Liverpool was the home of music legends such as Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Searchers and Billy Fury. Come and relive their music: from ‘Needles and Pins ‘to ‘I Like It’!! Nostalgia guaranteed

THE BEE GEES – THE ICONS OF DISCO
Music journalist Andy Hughes explores the life and times of the Bee Gees; the music phenomenon who are the only group to have Top Ten singles in the UK charts in the 60s,70s,80s, and 90s. Explore their early childhood in the UK, their life in Australia, their partnership with Robert Stigwood and their world-conquering disco success. Re-live their music, from ‘Gotta Get A Message To You’ through to ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and ‘Grease’.

EUROPEAN FOCUS:

ABBA - THE EUROPEAN ICONS OF POPULAR MUSIC - PART ONE
Abba is the most successful European pop group. Music journalist Andy Hughes explores Abba’s origins and their rise to global fame. This first talk covers their early days, early music, Eurovision and what happened next. Relive those hits- from ‘Waterloo’ to ‘S O S’!

ABBA - THE EUROPEAN ICONS OF POPULAR MUSIC - PART TWO
Andy Hughes continues the fascinating story of Abba, from 1977 through to the present day. Find out about their hits, stage shows and films. Will their virtual concerts ensure that their global fame continues? Enjoy their music: from ‘Voulez Vous’ through to ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’.

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TALKS IN PREPARATION:

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TINA TURNER
An exploration of the life and career of ‘The Queen of Rock and Roll’, from music journalist Andy Hughes. From Tina’s deprived childhood, her years with Ike Turner and her rise to worldwide superstardom. An inspiring and uplifting story with wonderful songs from ‘Nutbush City Limits’ to ‘Simply The Best’.

QUEEN
The biggest selling group in the history of the British Album Charts, Queen remain legends of pop music. This talk from music journalist Andy Hughes is an in-depth look at the group’s formation and early days. Discover their rise to world-wide superstardom, including their triumph at Live Aid. Find out what made Queen so successful, and why they remain a major influence on pop music today.

DAVID BOWIE
David Bowie’s career transcended simple pop stardom and raised him to the level of a cultural icon. This talk from music journalist Andy Hughes looks at the life, music, films, and stage career of one of pop’s most enduring and influential figures. From ‘Space Oddity’ to ‘Blackstar’, Bowie remains one of the most fascinating pop stars ever.

POP MUSIC, RADIO, AND TELEVISION
This talk from music journalist Andy Hughes explores the lasting link between pop music and the media of radio and television. From the days of the first groundbreaking television shows, pirate radio in the 1960’s, and through to the heyday of Radio One, and the influences music and the media have had on each other. A fascinating talk with lots of in-depth analysis, as well as plenty of classic radio and TV memories.

I am also working on four ‘Decades’ talks, which will explore music and popular culture in the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 1980s.

Please note, I am delighted to consider any suggestions you may wish to make, regarding subjects that may be specifically suited to your guests.

More than fifty Talks delivered under the umbrella topic 'Icons Of Popular Music' for P & O, and Fred Olsen ships.

PAST CRUISE ENRICHMENT ASSIGNMENTS FOR P&O
P&O BRITANNIA – B121N – 19 September 2021 – 6 nights.
P&O BRITANNIA – B206 – 11 March 2022 – 14 nights.
P&O AURORA – R205 – 24 May 2022 – 16 nights.
P&O AZURA – A219 – 15 September 2022 – 14 nights.
P&O BRITANNIA – B225( Transatlantic) – 21 October 2022 – 14 nights.
P&O ARCADIA – J306 – 6 June 2023 – 16 nights.
P&O ARVIA – K324 – 24 November 2023 – 14 nights.
P & O ARVIA- K406( Transatlantic)-15 March 2024- 12 nights

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.