Book Retrospective: I Swear I Was There by David Nolan
Written by David Nolan
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GQ describes it as ‘one of the greatest rock stories ever told’… Rocksound says it’s ‘a fascinating insight into a gig that really did change the world’… 

Peter Hook of Joy Division/New Order says: ‘it’s a f##king great book!’ I Swear I Was There sets out to solve one of rock music’s great mysteries: who saw the Sex Pistols at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester in 1976? But the story behind the book is as strange as the infamous gig itself. David Nolan explains.

I became an author by way of a complete fluke. In 2001 I was working as a producer at Granada TV when I heard a shout across the office: ‘Oi! Noly! Come ere!’ The head of sport Don Jones invited me into his office. There were several people there. ‘Tell them that story about the programme you’re making,’ Don commanded.

I told them I was making a documentary about the notorious gig that the Sex Pistols played in Manchester on June 4th 1976 – the one that everyone claims to have been at. I had photos that no one had ever seen before and had secured interviews with Glen Matlock of the Pistols, Tony Wilson, Buzzcocks, Slaughter and the Dogs, Joy Division’s Peter Hook… you name it. My dream project.

‘Interesting,’ the people said. It turned out they were from a publishing company. They whispered for a few moments then said to me: ‘Could you write a book to go with it? It would have to be ready in time for the programme’s transmission.’

‘Of course,’ I said. Three minutes later I had a book deal.

Then I realised the programme was going out in nine weeks and I hadn’t finished it. Plus, I’d never written a book before.

‘No problem,’ I added.

By working all day on the documentary and writing the book at night, I somehow managed to get both done in time. A miracle.

The programme was very well received but the book only got one review: Record Collector magazine said it was ‘tedious beyond belief.’

Oh well.

Five years later the book was re-released with a new cover. It got five- star reviews in every music magazine in the land.

Just shows you – never listen to critics.

I’ve written a dozen music books since then, but I Swear I was There will always be my favourite. It’s been referenced in countless other music books and biographies since then. It’s the underdog that’s now a staple in every music fan’s library.

It should be in yours too.

David Nolan author I Swear I Was There.

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