British biographer, historian to speak at Harper

British biographer and cultural historian Barry Miles - co-owner of the famous London bookshop where Yoko met John - will visit Harper College to read from his work and discuss his experiences of that swinging rock world.

Miles will speak from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in J Theatre on the college's main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. The event is free and open to the public.

As co-owner of Indica Bookshop & Gallery in the 1960s, Miles encountered many major rock personalities, including a new friend, Paul McCartney. McCartney helped fund Miles' underground newspaper, the International Times, and Miles would later become manager of Apple's Zapple Records label.

Miles has written several acclaimed biographies including the definitive profiles of Paul McCartney, "Many Years from Now" (1998); and William S. Burroughs, "Call Me Burroughs" (2014). He has also written books about The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Jack Kerouac, Frank Zappa, Charles Bukowski, Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan, David Bowie and The Clash.