Pete Paphides is a successful music journalist who grew up in Acocks Green. Over the years Pete has written for music papers, Time Out and The Times. He has interviewed many well known musicians including Prince and ABBA and now he has written a memoir about his childhood growing up in and around Acocks Green intertwined with his fascination with pop music and musicians of the 1970s and 80s. Broken Greek came out in March and is now a best seller.

Many people who live in our area will remember Pete’s parents, Greek Cypriots – Victoria and Chris. They ran two popular chip shops in Acocks Green – The Great Western opposite the Police Station (now Big Johns) and the Kingfisher (now Lincoln Fish Bar) on Lincoln Road.  Pete went to Cottesbrooke Infants and Junior school and then on to Yardleys.

From Monday 4th May you can hear Pete reading from Broken Greek on Book of the Week on Radio 4 (9.45am). You will also be able to catch it on the BBC Sounds App.

In the book he talks a lot about little details of life growing up in suburban Birmingham, including school life, journeys on the no.11 bus and going to Preedys, Easy Listening and Woolworths to spend his pocket money on precious singles. He also reflects on being the child of immigrants and searching for his own identity through his love of British pop music.