Rhythm based music was an integral part of the cultural life of the U.K., if not the whole Western world, in the last decades of the Twentieth Century. It was intense, tribal, riven by factions, yet driven by passion. It was the starting point for many as they sought to make sense of life, and to move onto other areas, such as religion, politics, leisure, relationships, lifestyle, if not to build their own identity. Official histories of the period do not reflect this fact. And partisan accounts only reflect the particular bias of their writers. But you can always attempt to give the flavour of the experience while admitting the shortcomings of passion. Contained herein are five stories from five different perspectives. These try to give an honest sample of experience from their point of view. For music was a way, a means, and an end, to many of us.