The Dogs that beat The Beatles: Former Wolves reporter's rock 'n' roll novel success
The book has received praise from reviewers
Former Midlands ITV reporter Dennis Coath is celebrating the success of the second novel in his trilogy about an ageing rock band who achieve the fame they missed out on decades earlier.
The Band That Time Forgave follows the fictional story of The Dogs, a veteran group who unexpectedly become a global sensation and even go on to outsell The Beatles.
The book has received praise from reviewers, with BBC Films describing the project as “dynamic”, while BNN America said the stories “have turned heads”.
Dennis, who reported on many stories in Wolverhampton during his career, including extensive coverage of Wolves, also helped launch the Sports Journalism course at the University of Wolverhampton.
The latest novel follows The Band That Time Forgot, which was published in 2024, while the final instalment, The Band That Turned Back Time, is due to be released later this year.
Dennis said the idea was partly inspired by the enduring appeal of artists including The Rolling Stones, Sir Paul McCartney, The Who and Sir Rod Stewart, who he saw performing in clubs during the 1960s.
During his journalism career, he also interviewed stars including Sir Rod, Elton John and Robbie Williams.
Away from fiction writing, Dennis completed a master’s degree in history in his seventies and has written a historical novel about 1066, due out next year.
He has co-authored books with England cricketer Ian Botham and former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, as well as writing Rats, Pies and Pigeon Poo, a guide for aspiring young journalists.
Dennis also founded The World’s Biggest Liar Competition, an annual event held in Cumbria. That, he insists, is the truth.