Dave Rowntree - No One You Know

Join us for this very special event with Dave Rowntree from Blur!

Dave will be talking about the book and showing some of the photos and this will be followed by audience questions so do come prepared! You can then buy the book at the special discounted price and have a chat to Dave while you get it signed! Please note that Dave will only be signing books and no other memorabilia, etc.

Dave Rowntree joined Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon in Colchester in the late ’80s—before Blur became one of the UK’s most iconic bands. With Alex James completing the lineup, Blur helped define Britpop and then evolved beyond it, selling 70 million records worldwide, winning five BRITs, and in 2023, selling out Wembley Stadium twice. Beyond Blur, Dave has led a multifaceted career: founding a computer animation company, working as a solicitor, standing as a Labour Party candidate, contributing to the Beagle 2 Mars mission, and composing for film and TV. In 2023, he released his debut solo album Radio Songs. This is his first photography book.

No One You Know:

A one-of-its kind document of what it’s really like to be in a young band during the vital first few years, when everything is new, romantic and fresh. With hundreds of previously unseen photographs, a personal foreword and detailed quotes of memories attached to the images, “No One You Know” is a unique visual insight into the first few years of one of Britain’s most successful and well-loved bands, from one of the only four people who knows what it was really like. 

Dave Rowntree, drummer and founder member of Blur, brought his camera along to all of the band’s first adventures. He used it to capture insider moments: close-up and personal pictures of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and himself in the thrilling early stages of the band’s rise to the top. Here are photographs from Blur’s debut tours of America and Japan, in the studio in the UK, playing games in the tour bus, larking around backstage, messing about in hotel rooms, at video shoots, with fans and friends.

This event is brought to you as part of a series of events leading up to our second The Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival! The festival, which is in partnership with Hare & Hounds and How Brave Is The Wren, will take place from Wednesday 15th April to Sunday 19th April 2026 with a variety of music, author, and arts events taking place across the dates in different venues around Kings Heath! Keep an eye out for upcoming author and artist announcements!!

PLEASE NOTE - We have an event with JOHN ROBB, music journalist, with his book 'Live Forever. The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Oasis' on Tuesday 18th November. If you'd like to come to this event with Dave Rowntree and the event with John Robb, then you can get a discounted ticket for both, choose the joint ticket option. For details of the John Robb event see event info in eventcube store.