Title: Dear Mr Pop Star
Author: Derek and Dave Philpott
Publisher: Unbound
Publication Date: 20th September 2018
Format: eARC
This book was received from the publisher in return for an honest review
About the book:
For nearly 10 years, ‘Team Philpott’, as their followers fondly refer to them, have been on a quite bonkers crusade, writing good old-fashioned letters to pop and rock stars (sometimes even sent to their home addresses with prior consent!), either picking up on genuine ambiguities within their lyrics or often deliberately misunderstanding them for comedic effect.
‘Dear Mr. Popstar’’ proudly features nearly 100 of the best letters and responses from famous and legendary names spanning the whole pop and rock spectrum, all relishing their involvement and revealing their own, in many cases, hitherto unknown humorous sides within what could well be the most interactive dialogue compiled between music stars and their audience ever undertaken. Of course, it is not always possible to reach certain targets, hence many unanswered observations are also included, as they were considered too amusing not to be.
What I Thought:
Dear Mr Pop Star is a move away from my normal realm of YA and crime, but a most enjoyable one. While I tend to stick rather firmly within the fiction genres I have been known to enjoy to odd collection of related anecdotes – Simon Mayo’s Confessions and Jen Campbell’s Weird Things People Say In Bookshops being two examples that spring to mind.
Dear Mr Pop Star was an equally entertaining collection missives from the Philpotts musing on many a song lyric or meaning behind a song, and responses from the artists ranging from utterly bemused to genuinely hilarious. I loved the layout of the book, the stylisation of the letters from the Philipotts and the replies from many a band member. I also really appreciated the inclusion of the postcards, letters written by the Philpotts which never received a response.
Would I Recommend?
Dear Mr Pop Star is a wonderful collection of missives and responses, a great book to dip in and out of with something sure to make you smile every time. Best suited to those with an apreciation of slightly older music, some of the artists and songs were unfamilar to me, but I will thank my parents for my musical education which enabled me to enjoy the vast majority of the letters!
Connect with Derek and Dave
Want to buy it?
As always if you’ve read the book let me know what you thought! If you’ve not read it yet will my review convince you to pick it up?
Sarah Withers Blogs 
Derek Philpott
Sarah!!. Even though our blog tour is GIGANTIC and one of the largest that anyone has achieved (so they say, whoever ‘they’ are!), we were still very careful as to who we invited and in your splendid case, as with so many others, our discretion has been vindicated. We adore that
a) despite your tender years you recognised so many old school artists because you have cool parents.
b) you will never listen to these songs in the same fashion ever. again.
c) you recognise it for what it is – a big dipper!!!
d) you appreciate the work that went into the presentation!
Thank you for embracing our mad little world, a decade in the creation.
It’s been a joy communicating with you in the weeks and weeks leading to this wonderful piece and you have been supportive, helpful and enthusiastic, throughout.
Best and Highest, Dave and Dad Philpott
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