Kim Hawes is a pioneer, blazing a trail in the very masculine world of music tour management. Her memoir, Lipstick and Leather, is released this month, and she has kindly put together this playing list of music that has meant a lot to her over her career.

Lipstick and Leather: On the Road with the World’s Most Notorious Rock Stars
By Kim Hawes
Published by Sandstone Press

Oliver’s Army by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

From their Armed Forces album, the tour I blagged my way onto and where it all started for me back in 1979!

Lost in Music by Sister Sledge

The lyrics of this one really captured how I felt on my first few jobs: ‘I quit my nine to five, we’re lost in music.’ This song helped me feel connected to other people who felt the same way I did about life.

(We are) The Roadcrew by Motörhead

Says so much about life on the road for all of us. And I couldn’t possibly make a playlist like this without including something from the guys I worked with for so long and learned so much!

p: Machinery by Propaganda

This one’s maybe a bit more obscure, but we always played it when leaving a Motörhead gig in Germany. ‘Motor power, force, motion, drive!’ It just captures that sense of being part of a massive show and consequently a massive convoy on the roads.

Tiny Dancer by Elton John

This one reminds me of being on the road in America. It was on heavy rotation on the radio years after its release – still is on some channels! The scene in Almost Famous is pretty in line with what would happen on the tour buses.

Tubthumping by Chumbawamba

Because it was everywhere and for such a long time, it’s become the band’s signature song. Still relevant today as everyone gets knocked down from time to time and might need encouragement to get back up.

Nirvana’s Come As You Are by The King

I’ve always loved this song but Jim’s version, singing it as Elvis, just adds an extra dimension of melancholy and meaning.

Lipstick and Leather: On the Road with the World’s Most Notorious Rock Stars by Kim Hawes is published by Sandstone Press, priced £19.99.