Phil, professionally known as Eastman, was born in Malta but grew up in London. He was raised by the streets of Hackney and his much-loved parents and family, with his dad, affectionately known as ‘Gangster Bill’. 

In his teens, Eastman went to school with the first generation of Windrush kids. It was there he met Horace Burke aka ‘Ruddy Ranks and they had a friendship of over 50 years. Eastman was soon immersed into the Jamaican Soundsystem culture and reggae music. In the early 70’s, he became one of the few white men to run a reggae sound-system ‘Eastman Sound’. 

It was in the early 90’s that Eastman met ‘Smurf’ and Kool FM was born. For over three decades, Eastman dedicated his life to running Kool FM with Suzy G, his partner of over 38 years. The station dial 94.5, become the Information Centre to 1000’s of Jungle, Drum and Dass and Rave scene listeners across the UK. Later it changed from Kool FM to Kool London, and become the ‘World’s Longest Running & Multi Award Winning Jungle, Drum & Bass Radio Station.

Eastman was toughened by decades of evading the law as one of the most notorious and respected pirate radio station owners. He was softened by the love of animals, friends and family, but wise by his years as head of security and front of house at his own raves ‘Telepathy and Jungle Fever’. Amongst the chaos, he was calmed by tranquil fishing trips that he loves. 

As a man that has always preferred to be ‘behind the scenes’ Eastman has led an incredibly rich, varied and meaningful life that reflects the highs, lows and challenges of what it means to be British, working class and fiercely multi-cultural since birth.  

In his own words with stories never told before, the book is filled with memories of family, culture, music, guns, crime, pirate radio, rooftops, raves and much much more.