Bite Size Blog 7 : My 30 Greatest Singer/Songwriters

 30th May 2026

Bite Size Blog 7 : My 30 Greatest Singer/Songwriters

This one is just for fun. 

I thought it would be interesting to put together a list of the 30 greatest singer/songwriters.  

Ok, to be more accurate, a list of MY choice for the 30 greatest singer/songwriters. 

So, how did I choose who to include.

There are many reasons for my selection.

Great voice(s), great songs, sales, career longevity, impact on music culture, impact on general culture & society. 

These are my choices. 

A personal selection. 

YOUR choices and your list may be different, very different. 

And that’s ok. 

Please feel free to add comments to this post with your choices. 

30	Tim Rice / Andrew Lloyd Webber
29	Burt Bacharach / Hal David
28	Neil Young
27	Chris Difford / Glenn Tillbrook
26	Eva Cassidy
25	Marvin Gaye
24	Chuck Berry
23	Noel Gallagher
22	Nick Drake
21	Buddy Holly
20	Billy Joel
19	Michael Jackson
18	Elton John / Bernie Taupin
16	Benny Andersson /  Björn Ulvaeus
16	Mick Jagger / Keith Richards
15	Carole King / Gerry Goffin
14	Pete Townsend
13	George Harrison
12	BruceSpringsteen
11	Elvis Presley
10	Mark Knopfler
9	Michael Jackson
8	Prince
7	Brian Wilson / Beach Boys
6	David Bowie
5	Jim Morrison / The Doors
4	Bob Dylan
3	Barry Gibb / Bee Gees
2	Paul Simon
1	John Lennon / Paul McCartney

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

Please add any comments to my Twitter post at @apple_shwn

Bite Size Blog 6 : Passing the Torch

 18th May 2026

Bite Size Blog 6 : Passing the Torch

Inspiration comes from all sorts of places

The inspiration for this blog came from a post and reply recently about Libraries on X. Thank you @AntigoneJournal & @chrissieA2.

I'm not posh enough to have a real library, you know, a specific room set aside for my books (well, I might be).

So my library consisted of a number of bookcases storing my collection of books compiled over many years.

Throughout my long and, dare I say, successful career I gathered together hundreds of books that supported my career. 

These were the very best of the books on Business Management, Strategy & Quality Management. Some being Management Theory and some being far more practical.

All were read, and used, in varying degrees.

And all keep in perfect read condition.

However, about 3 years ago, it became apparent that I really ought to think about clearing the bookshelves.

What to do with this collection ?

It wasn't just a pile of books.

It was a curated set of books, the accepted great books, on these topics.

It was a Library.

I didn't want to dump them, I didn't want to take them to a charity shop.

I wanted someone to have the benefit of these to help their career, and enjoy them as I have. Someone at the start of their career. Someone that would appreciate this collection, and keep the collection together.

Lofty aspirations.

After some research and discussion, I found the perfect recipient.

A recent graduate who had just started on a Graduate Programme for Management in the Company I had worked for.

A very large & global Company.

And local.

It was fair to say, the recipient was absolutely delighted, as was I.

And it was clear to him & I that he would really appreciate this collection at the start of his career, all in one go, and put them to use over many years.

And we also discussed that he too would pay this forward at a suitable time.

No money was requested, no money was offered. 

It was never about that.

It was about PASSING THE TORCH TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

In total I passed on approx 125 books, and I imagine these would cost approx £6-8k today. Maybe more.

I have listed just some of the collection below.

I am a huge believer in helping others, mentoring, passing on knowledge and assets.

Also enthusiasm, positive attitude, accountability & responsibility, and a can do attitude and approach.

To me, this is what 'passing on the torch' means in practical terms.

And if you get the chance to do similar things, I highly recommend it.

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

Please add any comments to my Twitter post at @apple_shwn

Bite Size Blog 5 : My 12 Favourite Cars

15th May 2026

Bite Size Blog 5 : My 12 Favourite Cars

Sometimes, I blog about things other than politics.

This Blog is a list of my favourite 12 cars, in reverse order.

Now, these cars are not necessarily the most expensive, or the fastest.

They are merely my favourite cars from a design point of view.

That is, perfectly designed.

And I love each one.

Enjoy.

12. Jaguar E-Type

11. Volvo P1800S

Used by Roger Moore in the TV Series THE SAINT.

10. Lamborghini Miura

9. Austin Healey 3000

8. Ferrari 250 GTO

7. Ferrari Dino

As used by Tony Curtis in the TV Series THE PERSUADERS.

6. Jensen Interceptor

As used in the TV Series the INSPECTOR Lynley Mysteries

5. Porsche 911

4. Lancia Stratos

Iconic 1970’s Rally Car, 18 World Rally Championship (WRC) wins.

3. Paddy Hopkirk Monte Carlo winning Mini Cooper S 1964

2. AC Cobra

1. Aston Martin DB5

Famously used in the James Bond film, Goldfinger,

This is only a personal choice of 12 favourite cars.

MY 12 favourite cars.

And YOUR list may be totally different.

Or you may not even have a list.

And before I close, I would just like to include a last minute entry.

My 2004 Mini Cooper.

Let me know your favourite cars on twitter.

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

Please add any comments to my Twitter post at @apple_shwn