Hello, good afternoon and welcome to not so much a blog, more a catalogue of my journalistic wares. I'm not the Ian Penman formerly of the NME and to avoid confusion my national magazine journalism is published under my 'Ian Ravendale' byline. More on this in 'About'.

I'm a very experienced freelance journalist and broadcaster who has worked in print, radio, television, corporate, advertising, Public Relations and media training. I've also lectured  in all of it up to Masters degree level and to middle and senior business management.

If it's happened or happening in the North East I'll either know about it or will know someone who does. My specialism is music and I've worked for many of the UK's major pop, rock and indie monthlies as well as writing sleeve notes and artist biographies-see under 'Music.' I also write articles and features for travel, true crime, nostalgia and general interest  publications. 

My work has recently appeared in;  Abba-A Celebration, American Songwriter, The Beat, The Beatles-The Early Years, The Beatles-The Later Years, Best Of British, Blues Matters, Classic Pop, Classic Rock (magazine and web-site),  Classic Rock presents AOR, The Crack, Cycling World, Fireworks, George Michael-A Celebration, Iron Fist, Elton John Special Edition,  Living Spain, Long Live Vinyl, Master Detective, Paul McCartney Special Edition, NARC, Pet Shop Boys Special Edition, R&R Life, Record Collector, Sunderland Post, True Crime, Vintage Rock, Vinyl Guru, Vive Le Rock!, Whitesnake Fan Pack and The Word. 

I can write in a variety of styles across different areas of expertise. As the North East's longest established music journalist I've written hundreds of articles, reviews  and columns for national and local papers. and produced or researched many dozens of music-based TV and radio programmes and sell-through DVD's. I have a very wide knowledge of many different styles of music and the skills and expertise of an investigative print, television and radio journalist and programme maker who always delivers.


For listings of the work I've had published recently please click on the tabs below the header. There are several complete articles in the 'Nostalgia', 'Crime' and 'Film/Comics/TV' sections.

Over the last 30+ years I've conducted many  music-related radio interviews. Some have been used in music biographies or on the Rock's Backpages site, as have some of my late 70's/early 80's music journalism for Sounds and Pop Star Weekly. My radio interviews with major and lesser known artists are available for contemporary articles, broadcast or book research. Mosey on over to 'Interviews'.

Very knowledgeable about the island of Lanzarote I've been visiting this most atmospheric Canary Island for 20 years. I have many contacts and have written extensively about the island for travel magazines and university research papers. See 'Academic Research' and 'Travel'.

Unlike with 'Crime' the section marked 'Drama' is me actually writing  it, not writing about it. I've written several dramas and included here is an extract from Death Of  A Pirate, my Arts Council supported TV screenplay based around 1960's pirate radio.  I was invited to try out as a Coronation Street storyliner and one of my scripts is included here.

Take time to investigate the 'Ian Ravendale Rock Journalist' Archive section. This has some of my journalism work from the late 70's and early 80's and contains reviews of and  articles about many bands from this very vibrant period. 

'Contemporary Live Music'  reprints expanded versions some of the  live music reviews I've had published over the last couple of years. Click on 'Artist Index' on the right hand side of the page to get to specific articles or reviews.

Contact; ian.penman1@btinternet.com

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North East based national music journalist Ian Ravendale has worked in radio, television, print, promotions, public relations and rock music marketing as a rock journalist, producer, director and researcher for many years. Ian Ravendale Sunderland music journalist Ian Ravendale Tyne and Wear music journalist northern music journalist Ian Ravendale long established music journalist Ian Ravendale Well known music journalist Ian Ravendale veteran music journalist Ian Ravendale Quick witted music journalist Ian Ravendale Knowledgeable music journalist Ian Ravendale freelance music journalist Ian Ravendale long-established music journalist Ian Ravendale

North East based national music journalist Ian Ravendale has worked in radio, television, print, promotions, public relations and rock music marketing as a rock journalist, producer, director and researcher for many years. Ian Ravendale Sunderland music journalist Ian Ravendale Tyne and Wear music journalist northern music journalist Ian Ravendale long established music journalist Ian Ravendale Well known music journalist Ian Ravendale veteran music journalist Ian Ravendale Quick witted music journalist Ian Ravendale Knowledgeable music journalist Ian Ravendale freelance music journalist Ian Ravendale long-established music journalist Ian Ravendale