Many a quality rock ‘n’ roll yarn will be told later this month when New Island publish Mr. Pussy: Before I Forget To Remember, the story of how the Drag Artist Also Known As Alan Amsby first conquered London – Ringo was a massive fan – and then blazed a trail across 1970s Catholic Ireland with his outrageous alter ego.
Older Hot Press journos still have fond memories of Mr. Pussy’s Café De Luxe, which opened in May 1994 on D2’s Suffolk Street with Jim Sheridan, Gavin Friday and Bono among the co-conspirators. With Van Morrison, Ronnie Wood, Christy Turlington, Mel Gbson, Michael Stipe and Jean Kennedy Smith among those enjoying a late night pint of Pussy, it was never, ever dull. We also seem to remember Naomi Campbell’s knickers being displayed in a glass case near the loos. Already up for a Bord Gáis Popular Non-Fiction Book of the Year gong, the forward is provided by superfan Miss Panti.
You can also catch Mr. P in the flesh at 4.30pm on November 13 when collaborator Dave Kenny interviews him as part of the Dublin Book Festival.