Twenty-five years as a journalist, author, broadcaster, and one-time MOJO editor have taken Pat Gilbert on an oft-surreal journey, spiriting him from Paul McCartney's secret hideaway in Long Island; from a spot on Sex Pistol Steve Jones L.A. radio show to an animal rights protest with Chrissie Hynde in Central Park and a visit to Pentonville Prison in the company of Billy Bragg. He's been on tour with Oasis, and the Clash's Joe Strummer once gave him a lift home.

He's shaken Smokey Robinson's hand. In 2006, he produced the BBC World Service documentary Armies for Hire (presented by Peter Snow), about modern-day mercenaries, and in 2012 was nominated for a Sony Award for his BBC Radio 2 documentary Before I Get Old: The Story of Pete Townshend.