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Tom Hibbert

Slotbadger's picture

I was going through a pile of old books and found a copy of Tom Hibbert's brilliant 'Who The Hell...' book, a collection of those pieces he used to write for Q back in the day. Flicking through it was a nostalgic experience, for the late 80s early 90s. When we - and I am assuming many of us here were Q readers - were exercised by the likes of Jeffrey Archer, Sam Fox, Jeremy Beadle, Keith Floyd, Edwina Currie, Chris Eubank, uh, Mr Blobby and so on.
Some of the pieces are in hindsight, rather poignant. There's a rather tragic George Best, the baby-faced Gazza, the obscenely merry Gary Glitter, a lovely piece on Dennis Potter and the very strange Lord Sutch. Then there are some preposterous egos - Ringo Starr, David Icke, Eddie The Eagle, Chuck Berry... all captured with superb prose, puckish wit and deliciously irreverent cheekiness. I couldn't think of many writers now who can match him, outside of the Word, naturally, which I would have considered his natural home along with the rest of the gang.

But - where is Tom Hibbert now? I read some quotes around the time Smash Hits folded when as 'Pop's Mr Smartypants', he offered a few choice memories of the time, but since then, I've found nothing. Anyone know what he's up to?

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I refer the honourable gentleman...

... to this earlier answer.

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Fraser Lewry | 14 December 2009 - 5:46pm

Thanks, Fraser

Christ. Read the Guardian piece, poor bloke. And that was a lovely post by Mr Ellen, I'm glad to hear he's doing OK now. Tom Hibbert was one of the few British writers who inspired me to enter the jungle of journalism. If I could one day write a piece as half as good as that Roger Waters feature, I'd be a very happy man indeed.

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Slotbadger | 14 December 2009 - 6:08pm

The Everton right back??

?

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Six Dog | 14 December 2009 - 5:47pm

Who The Hell..?

Has been my khazi read for the last week or so. It made me raise an eyebrow to see how many of those interviewed were no longer with us. It is so much a thing of the time. Is there any way modern PRs would let stuff like that be published? I seem to remember Simon Mayo being about the only person to come unscathed out of a Who The Hell..? Were there any others?

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Lenny Law | 15 December 2009 - 12:45am

THE HAIRY CORNFLAKE

was given a right going over by the good Mr Hibbert. It made for great reading and, as I recall, DLT wrote a letter in the next edition complaining about his treatment with a comment along the lines of.. " if you ever need my help in the future you needn't bother asking". Priceless

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stinglikeabee | 15 December 2009 - 8:15pm

Hmm.

I don't really think it was a profound taxing of Mr Hibbert's journalistic skills to make DLT look like a git.

Can you imagine him doing Rod Liddle?

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Lenny Law | 15 December 2009 - 8:57pm

That would indeed be brilliant

Were Hibbert to be 'Who The Hell-ing' in 2009, there would be no shortage of prize buffoons, tragic oafs and deluded prats just bursting with potential. I mean, just for starters, imagine 'Who The Hell Does..

Simon Cowell
Jordan
David Cameron
Chris Moyles
Bono
Jeremy Clarkson
Slotbadger

think he/she is?

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Slotbadger | 16 December 2009 - 2:12pm

Didn't they do already do Clarkson in this?

Definitely recall a Clarkson interview in Q way back where he was made to look an arrogant deluded homophobic prat.

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Ricardo | 16 December 2009 - 2:22pm

And Q's reply

'Quack quack oops'

Still regularly read the 'Who the Hell' book when I need chearing up so a seasonal glass raised to Mr H for all the fun i've had at others expense

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DogFacedBoy | 16 December 2009 - 1:07pm

Another seasonal glass

to one of the best and funniest music journalists I've ever read, anywhere. And he's a Moby Grape fan. The man's a hero.

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man.of.soup | 16 December 2009 - 1:27pm

Thought I'd try to find 'Who the Hell' tome online

Couldn't find any sign of it searching under 'Tom Hibbert' on amazon.

Strange, I thought. Only to discover that the writer is quoted as 'Tom Hobbert'. Amazon fail!

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robram | 16 December 2009 - 6:53pm

eBay is your friend......

Inspired by this thread and some old copies of Q, I bought one today. £2.79 inc P&P

NB - author spelled incorrectly on eBay too. Was under Hobbert. Try here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tom-Hobbert-Best-of-Q-Who-the-Hell_W0QQitemZ180443...

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Six Dog | 16 December 2009 - 7:18pm
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