Mark Blake is the author of Pigs Might Fly: The Inside Story Of Pink Floyd. He is a former Assistant Editor of Q, the UK's biggest selling music mag, currently Editor-in-Chief of Q and Mojo's special edition titles, and has edited two definitive music books, Dylan: Visions, Portraits And Back Pages and Punk: The Whole Story. Mark occasionally sounds off on BBC Radio 2, 6 Music and other radio stations, whenever they let him.

Author Mark Blake

Mark saw his first concert, Pink Floyd at London's Earls Court, in August 1980. Nine years later, he began writing about music for something approaching a living. His work has been published in numerous magazines including MOJO, Q, Kerrang!, Blender, Arena, Music Week, and others which closed and may still owe him money. He has interviewed many famous rock bands, and even more less famous ones; a procedure often fraught with difficulty. Paul McCartney misheard and called him Mike throughout their conversation, Kurt Cobain kept getting interrupted by his girlfriend Courtney, and Bono phoned too early and got him out of the shower. In more convivial circumstances, Mark has shared peppermint tea with Dave Grohl, strong continental lager with Roger Waters, beans on toast with Ozzy Osbourne and a urinal with Robert Plant. He also once helped Kate Bush up a flight of stairs.

Mark has an enduring fascination with most rock music, preferably anything involving guitars. He never tires of Led Zeppelin's Custard Pie, The Rolling Stones' Bitch, Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak and, after too much red wine, anything recorded by AC/DC (only up until 1981, of course). Mark is 6ft tall and weighs in at 182lbs. He lives in London and tries to lead a quiet life with his wife and young son.