Old rockers return in second novel

Former Central ITV East Midlands reporter Dennis Coath is celebrating the success of his second novel in a trilogy about an ageing, fading rock band. The books have received praise from reviewers. BBC Films have called it a ‘dynamic project’ and BNN America says the stories, ‘have turned heads’.

Dennis covered many stories involving Peterborough United, Cambridge Colleges and a record pike catch near Ramsey.

His latest novel The Band That Time Forgave is the second instalment of the trilogy, following the fictional story of The Dogs, a geriatric rock band that unexpectedly becomes a global sensation decades after missing out on stardom. They go on to outsell The Beatles.

 The first book The Band That Time Forgot, was published in 2024, with the final episode The Band That Turned Back Time due to be released later this year.

Mr Coath says the idea was inspired in part by the enduring popularity of artists such as The Rolling Stones, Sir Paul McCartney, The Who and Sir Rod Stewart, all of whom Dennis saw performing in clubs in the 1960s. He has also interviewed people like Sir Rod, Elton John and Robbie Williams.

Away from fiction, he completed a master’s in history in his seventies and has completed a historical novel about 1066, that comes out next year. Mr Coath has co-authored books with England’s greatest cricketer Ian Botham and most capped footballer Peter Shilton, as well as Rats, Pies and Pigeon Poo, a guide for aspiring young journalists.

He founded The World’s Biggest Liar Competition, now an annual event in Cumbria. That’s the truth!