How To Have A Number 1 The Easy Way
Written by the KLF after they had a hit with Doctor in the Tardis it explains in great detail the process of making a record and turning it into a success.

More than anything though, it's an inspiration to get off your arse and follow your dreams without being afraid of populism.

I've paid tribute several times:

* I wrote something hopefully in a similar style for the BBC about web bollocks. Sorry about the title, I wouldn't have called it "how to be funny" coz that's a bit cringesome.

* Ripping off the cover for the Sick Joke Book. Compare and contrast the B3ta one with the KLF one.

* Um, by making loads of crap music.

Anyway, read it, I implore you.
( rob, Fri 16 May 2008, 10:11, 9 replies)

Have you also read
BIll Drummond's other efforts - 45 and the one about burning £1M?

Worth a look. Even if just for the bit about the cows.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Fri 16 May 2008, 10:13, closed)

^K2k6
I saw the film, Watch the KLF Burn a Million Quid. Strangely moving...
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 16 May 2008, 10:15, closed)

@Enzyme
Yup, it's a strange thing. Why should a film/book of pictures of someone setting light to their own money cause such raised and varied emotions?

This rhetorical question was of course the whole point of Drummond and Cauty's exercise, but it still intrigues me.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Fri 16 May 2008, 10:19, closed)

yep - familiar with most of the other Bill Drummond / KLF stuff
much of it worth a look, but really, this book is (for me) their finest moment.

The burning the money thing? Um - good idea guys! Not.

I mean, it was certainly provocative and interesting, but then so is cutting off your thumb.
( rob, Fri 16 May 2008, 10:21, closed)

*cuts off thumb*
MyGod!Your'reright.Can'tusemyspacebarnow,though...
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 16 May 2008, 10:34, closed)

.
I hated that burning the money.

To me it was the ultimate rich-student "yeah but Tarquin, can't you see that we are doing this every day..." type of a statement.

Why didn't they give the money to people who needed it and set alight to their houses or something instead?
( browser still relating boring anecdotes into a void on, Fri 16 May 2008, 10:42, closed)

One day I'll follow the instructions and do it...one day...
It's a great book but sadly outdated - a modern version (including The Box, ringtones, MySpace and all that instead of Top of the Pops) would be a very welcome enterprise.

Oh, and it's available online here if anyone hasn't read it...I'd add my recommendation, but Rob's should be good enough for anyone.
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Fri 16 May 2008, 11:01, closed)

"get off your arse and follow your dreams without being afraid of populism"
Although I've never read The Manual, "get off your arse and follow your dreams without being afraid of populism" speaks volumes to me and describes what I've been doing since I quit my last 'proper' job.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Fri 16 May 2008, 12:28, closed)

Re: Burning Money
very deflationary AND incendiary.

My Norwegian housemate throws away her copper change, so unless I was prepared to rescue her's from the bin I might as well do the same with mine - Liberating!
(jmaxi returned again on, Fri 16 May 2008, 15:39, closed)