Guido is saddened to hear that Guru Josh (Paul Walden) died in Ibiza on Monday. Back sometime in the ’89-’90 Summer of Love Guru Josh was bringing out a follow-up to his worldwide hit “Infinity” and wanted to do something to promote it and get attention. So he asked for advice from the sartorially psychedelic publicist for Sunrise – the most successful rave organisers of the era who were never off the front pages. The publicist advised him precisely what to say, something politically controversial, guaranteed to be reported everywhere in the music press and get him “cut through”. The publicist promised it would get him attention.

The next day* in an interview with Record Mirror Guru Josh came out in favour of the poll tax which was about to be introduced by the Thatcher government. The resulting publicity did get the Guru the promised “cut through”. It was unfortunately entirely negative publicity from the left-wing music press…

How does Guido know this story? He was that publicist.

*Exact sequence of events may differ. If you can remember it, you weren’t really there. See page 74.