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# Lichfield author's new tale set against backdrop of 1960s music scene
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-authors-new-tale-set-against-backdrop-of-1960s-music-scene/
- Published: 2026-07-13T07:15:29.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-13T07:15:28.000Z
- Description: Once Below A Time will be published in September.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: News

A LICHFIELD author says his latest tale has allowed him to explore his own past in a story set against the backdrop of the 1960s music scene.

Neil Coley's Once Below A Time traces the rise and fall of rock icon Jimmy Stephens, capturing a life of fame, loss and regret.

The author said he hoped the recreations of the times and associated music would resonate with readers.

He said:

> "I wanted to write about what it was like growing up in Birmingham in the 1960s, but soon realised that that alone wouldn’t be at all interesting to most readers.  
>  
> "Therefore, I incorporated some of my own experiences into a story about someone who was roughly my age and who, through a mixture of luck and raw talent, started a pop group at school which went on to become hugely famous and influential in the music world.  
>  
> "I also wanted to explore themes such as friendship, nostalgia, regret, family ties, disappointment and loss, and blend those into a structure loosely based on that of one of my favourite films, Citizen Kane."

Once Below a Time will be released by Cranthorpe Miller Publishers on 29th September in paperback and ebook. For more details and to pre-order, visit the [Waterstones](https://www.waterstones.com/book/once-below-a-time/neil-coley/9781803784090?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-Below-Time-Neil-Coley-ebook/dp/B0GZVTQYKG/ref=sr%5F1%5F2?crid=1J3KBL02BYDC8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KI56LlhtK3uWCPrPnI-zTGfxIOa3WrjEY5aoXl8DAs0QOmIoZzAyB7TjAii7Cr5OZQkH1aSsvT6TM09Te7-W8lMzZWxo6Rq6vOf8hdeX8G%5F9eVsvmJcBE8bNG-UFW3vKfv96k1o3qiGGQZxjLy7UNw.evYXF0n%5FoMBpXhK0G-PVy-lxZCf4UVirB7ts5bCiu0M&dib%5Ftag=se&keywords=once+below+a+time&qid=1782129064&sprefix=once+below+a+tim%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-2&ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) websites.