Pop boss to start Jive talking

wd3176055producerA Walsall-born former record company boss who has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in pop will be shedding light on his early years working as a DJ in pubs and clubs.

Steve Jenkins who was the managing director of Jive records is writing his autobiography. He grew up in Bloxwich and went to Joseph Leckie School, in Delves, before making a name for himself on the gig scene as a DJ before becoming a studio producer and friend of the stars.

Steve has been writing the book in Florida since November.

“I’m writing my book and I’m not using a ghost writer so I thought it was best to get out of the country and concentrate on it.

“I didn’t want any distractions so I thought it was best to leave England for a while.

“It will be about growing up in Walsall and the things I’ve done throughout my life.

“I’ve written about 80 pages already and I’ve had quite a bit of interest from publishers too,” Mr Jenkins, aged 54, said.

The completed book should hit the shelves by Christmas.

“People have been asking me to write my story for about seven years now and I never intended to it. But when I held my exhibition at Walsall Museum I spoke to a lot of people who said it had evoked memories for them and I thought maybe it was a good idea after all,” he added.

His display of memorabilia entitled ‘Kylie, Justin, Britney and Me’ had pride of place at Walsall Museum as the showpiece exhibition from 2006 to 2007.

Celebrities including R&B star Billy Ocean, pop mogul Pete Waterman and shadows drummer Brian Bennett were among those who paid visits to the borough to see it.

He is an avid supporter of Walsall Football Club and now lives in Middlesex, but regularly returns to visit friends and family.

Jive Records was once the world’s biggest record label and helped pop stars including Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake get to the top of the charts.