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David Essex

 
Artist: David Essex
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Artists
David Essex

Similar Artists:

Ringo Starr, Dave Edmunds

Influenced By:

T. Rex, David Bowie

Followers:

Denim

Worked With:

Jeff Wayne
See David Essex Lyrics
  • Born: July 23, 1947, Plaistow, London, England
  • Active: '70s, '80s, '90s
  • Genres: Rock
  • Instrument: Vocals
  • Representative Albums: "The Best of David Essex," "Rock On," "His Greatest Hits"
  • Representative Songs: "Rock On," "Gonna Make You a Star," "Hold Me Close"

Biography

The mention of the name David Essex -- at least to Americans -- usually invokes a wave of '70s nostalgia, not just of his own monster hit "Rock On" and the movie That'll Be the Day, but also of such British pop/rock exports of the period such as Godspell, Rock Follies, color episodes of Doctor Who, and Rula Lenska. For most of that decade, Essex was a pop culture institution in England, and he produced the music and entertainment in enough different media to fulfill the role admirably. Born David Cook in London in 1947, he grew up in Canning Town, and loved playing soccer (what the English call football), and was a member of the West Ham Juniors for a time. He reached his teens just as British rock & roll's first wave was approaching its crest, and came of age as Merseybeat gave way to the more diverse sounds of folk-rock and psychedelic rock. Essex's attraction to performing and entertaining, however, had its roots outside of music -- as a boy in his early teens, before he'd ever thought of making music for a living, he spent his holidays working at what the British call a fun fair (a carnival to Americans); in his memoir A Charmed Life, he remembered being drawn to the mix of amusements and violence juxtaposed with one another; that might account for some of the ease with which he mixed music and theater in his own career during subsequent decades. Initially, however, he did try for a career in music, working by day in a factory in his teens, and playing drums in a band called the Everons during the mid-'60s. He later left the group, switched to singing, and took on the name David Essex, and recorded for England's Decca Records, among other labels. Essex went through ten flop singles, and decided to try acting instead; by then, he was juggling appearances in small productions and the responsibilities of a marriage (and a pregnant wife), and earning his living driving trucks and cleaning windows. Essex's career took a decided upswing after theater writer Derek Bowman became his manager. With Bowman's guidance, he worked to refine his singing and acting techniques and took up dance. This led to his selection in 1971 for the role of Jesus in the theatrical musical Godspell, for which he won the Variety Club of Great Britain's award for "Most Promising Newcomer." He became a stage star at age 24 and, two years later, was chosen for his first film role, in Claude Whatham's That'll Be the Day (1974), produced by David Puttnam -- based in part on the producer's boyhood and set in the early '60s, principally at a holiday camp, the movie (which co-starred Ringo Starr, then still basking in the glow of post-Beatles stardom, the Who's Keith Moon, and one-time rock & roll legend Billy Fury) became a major hit in England and a cult favorite in the United States. It also heralded a huge year for Essex, for in addition to starring in the movie, he wrote the song "Rock On" which was used in the film and went on to top the charts in England and reach the Top Five in the United States. A dark, brooding song -- vaguely recalling pre-Beatles British beat idol Marty Wilde -- "Rock On" made him into an overnight pop star in England. An album of the same name duly followed it up the charts at home, and Essex followed this first wave of success with a movie sequel, the much darker Stardust (1975), directed by Michael Apted, which included Moon, British rock & roll star-turned-actor Adam Faith, and contemporary rock & roller Dave Edmunds in its cast. Essex never charted another hit in America, although the Grammy nomination he got for "Rock On" was enough to give him a cult following among an audience not limited exclusively to Anglophiles, and get his subsequent records released in the United States. He enjoyed follow-up hits in England with "Lamplight," "Gonna Make You a Star," and "Hold Me Close," among other songs. Essex's producer on all of these singles and the accompanying albums was Jeff Wayne, a transplant from America who had some composer and arranger credits associated with West End theater and commercials. Wayne's method of production was unique at the time, and gave Essex's music a special sound -- utilizing top-notch players such as guitarist Chris Spedding and bassist Herbie Flowers, he avoided the usual sterility of multi-track recording by getting his core musicians to perform live against the backing tracks, thus creating a finished record that utilized the best elements of live performance and multi-layered studio sound in one, with a very visceral impact. This was one of the reasons, beyond his voice and talent, that Essex's early singles, though essentially '70s teen pop, seemed to command such attention and respect from the rock press, far outstripping the impact of earlier practitioners such as the Herd and most of his contemporary rivals. Essex's music career slowed due to two events, the advent of the punk era and the gradual aging of his youthful audience. They moved on to other pop/rock idols, while the next wave of young listeners didn't take to his music in the same way, and his more ambitious records, such as Out on the Street (1976) -- a loud, edgy record engineered by post-punk star producer Martin Rushent -- failed to find large audiences, despite some worthy ambitions. By 1977, Essex was producing himself, having parted company with Wayne for the Gold & Ivory album. They weren't done working together, however, as Wayne recruited Essex for his most ambitious project, The War of the Worlds. A boldly conceived and executed two-record set with elaborate libretto and supporting artwork, this album -- which became one of the top-selling "soundtracks" ever released in England (though it isn't really a soundtrack) -- became a vehicle not only for Essex's singing but his acting, as well. That seemed to presage the transformation that would take place in Essex's career -- he closed out the '70s in the role of Che Guevara in the original studio recording of Evita (1978), appearing in the legitimate stage play Childe Byron, and starring in the movie Silver Dream Racer (1980), for which he also wrote the score (including the hit "Silver Dream Machine"). By the mid-'80s, he was concentrating on theater work, including Mutiny (an adaptation of Mutiny on the Bounty), while in movies he appeared in Shogun Warrior with Toshiro Mifune. By the '90s, with his success in Sir Peter Hall's production of She Stoops to Conquer, Essex was a fully established, legitimate stage actor who was recognized as being able to carry a whole show -- seemingly in recognition of his continued presence in British popular culture, a new hits compilation emerged that year on CD from Polygram in England. His more recent composing projects have branched out to include the ballet Beauty and the Beast (1995). At around the same time, he resumed his recording career with Cover Shot, Missing You, and Back to Back, and has performed concerts on occasion in the years since. He has interspersed his various composing projects with extensive charitable work -- in addition to working with the aid organization Voluntary Service Overseas, Essex has also done recordings to benefit the World Music Fund and has done educational and charitable work in Zimbabwe and Uganda, among other African nations. He has also been active in charitable causes closer to home, such as the Gypsy Council, devoted to the welfare of gypsies living in England. In 1999, Essex was awarded the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his stage, screen, and music career and his charitable work. In 2004, Edsel Records began releasing Essex's classic British CBS albums on CD, in carefully annotated and beautifully remastered editions. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
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Actor: David Essex
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Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Actors
  • Born: Jul 23, 1947 in Plaistow, London, England
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Active: '70s-'90s
  • Major Genres: Drama, Thriller
  • Career Highlights: Journey of Honor, Stardust, That'll Be the Day
  • First Major Screen Credit: That'll Be the Day (1973)

Biography

Pop singer and actor David Essex first appeared onscreen in 1970. ~ All Movie Guide
Wikipedia: David Essex
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
David Essex
Birth name David Albert Cook
Born 23 July 1947 (1947-07-23) (age 62)
Origin Plaistow, London, England
Genres Pop, Musical Theatre
Instruments Vocal
Years active 1971 - present
Labels Columbia Records
Lamplight Records
Website www.davidessex.com

David Essex OBE (born David Albert Cook on 23 July 1947) is an English actor and singer, who has enjoyed a varied show business career.

Contents

Biography

Essex was born in Plaistow, England which, at the time of his birth, was officially part of the county of Essex.[1] His father was an East End dock worker and his mother was a self-taught pianist and the daughter of Irish Travellers. His Grandather was named 'Philimore' which was the anglicied version of 'Philly Mor' - being Irish for 'Big Philly'. Essex was two years old when his parents moved out of the overcrowded home the family was sharing with relatives, to Canning Town where he grew up. Essex attended Star Lane Primary School, he loved playing football and didn't answer any of the questions in the Eleven plus exam for entry into a Grammar School, so that he could ensure he attended Shipman County Secondary School where he knew they played the game.[2] He was also a member of West Ham United Juniors for a while and dreamed of one day being a professional player. [3] He then also became interested in music and played drums with a local band, before becoming a singer.

Early career

He made his first record entitled 'And The Tears Came Tumblin' Down' for the Decca label in 1963. He then toured with a band called "David Essex and the Mood Indigo" for two years. His first notable acting role aside from small appearances in the films Assault and All Coppers Are... was the lead in the stage musical, Godspell[4] in 1971 at the age of 23. Two years later, he starred in the film That'll Be The Day (1973) and recorded his only international hit single, "Rock On" (which he wrote himself), in the same year. A second single, "Lamplight", also reached the British Top 10.

In the 1970s, Essex emerged as a performer of some note. His biggest hits during this decade included two UK Number One singles: "Gonna Make You a Star" (1974), a satirical look at success; and "Hold Me Close" (1975), a cheerful singalong. He also appeared in Stardust, a 1974 sequel to That'll Be The Day; the title song was another Top 10 hit. In 1976, Essex covered the Beatles song, “Yesterday”, for the musical documentary All This and World War II.

Essex's pop idol looks gave him a strong female fan base and his British tours created scenes of hysteria reminiscent of Beatlemania. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X 'he was voted the number one British male vocalist in 1974, and was a teen idol for more than a decade'.

Musical roles

In 1978, he appeared on Jeff Wayne's concept album, a musical version of The War of the Worlds, as the Artilleryman. In the UK the two-record set remains a bestseller.[5]

In the same year, Essex played the character Che, loosely based on Che Guevara, in the original production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita[6], and his recording of the show's "Oh What a Circus"[7] reached Number 3. Two years later, he starred in the film Silver Dream Racer; and the soundtrack song "Silver Dream Machine" was yet another Top 10 hit in the UK singles chart.

In 1985, he co-wrote and starred as Fletcher Christian in the West End musical Mutiny!, based on the novel Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. The score produced two more hit singles, including "Tahiti," his tenth Top 10 success.[8]

Essex has continued to perform in all areas of show business, to varying degrees of success. A 1988 sitcom, "The River", achieved good ratings. In 1991, a compilation entitled His Greatest Hits reached Number 13; a 1993 album, Cover Shot, featuring a cover version of the Buzz Cason/Mac Gayden classic "Everlasting Love", peaked at Number 3. His autobiography, A Charmed Life, was published in 2002, and became a bestseller.[2]

In 1999, Essex was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He still tours the UK on a yearly basis and releases albums through his website. Despite his long and successful British career, he remains largely unknown in the United States. "Rock On" reached Number 5 in 1974, and was his only Billboard Top 40 hit single.

The grandson of an Irish Traveller, Essex portrayed a kind-hearted gypsy in one episode of ITV1's 1960s Yorkshire-based drama Heartbeat in 2000.[9] Essex told Jake Bowers of the BBC's Rokker Radio, a programme for Gypsies and Travellers, on 30 July 2006, that he has always been openly proud of his Traveller roots, but that having moved to the US, Essex has said he feels it inappropriate for him to continue as Patron of Britain's National Gypsy Council, which works for equal rights, education, and services for Romany and Irish Travellers.[4]

In 2005, he appeared as a guest vocalist on Saint Etienne's album Tales from Turnpike House.[10] Also that year, he appeared in the Channel 4 documentary Bring Back...The Christmas Number One.

Essex was due to join the cast of soap opera EastEnders, in early 2006, as new character Jack Edwards. However, the role was expanded beyond the three weeks planned, and Essex was unable to commit the time.[11] The role instead went to Nicky Henson.

A model and recording of Essex is featured in the museum of West Ham United Football Club. In the recording, he explains his reasons for supporting West Ham and his love of the team.

David spent six years as an ambassador for Voluntary Service Overseas, which earned him an OBE in 1999. "That was a big day. I took my two eldest kids, and me mum even went out and bought a hat," he laughs. He goes on to say it really was something very special: "But it didn't change me in any way. I don't have headed notepaper with David Essex OBE on it."[12]

Present

Essex continues to record and release records frequently on his own 'Lamplight' record label. He tours regularly and still treads the boards, recently appearing in 'Boogie Nights 2', 'Footloose' and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Aspects Of Love.[13]

In 2004, Essex shouted "Are you waiting for a bus?" at a fan who stood up during a performance in Leeds. Essex was supported by local legends Wilson at the concert.

In 2008-09, he is touring the UK with a musical play called All the Fun of the Fair, which features many of his hits.

David Essex will be doing a 30-date Tour between 12 October and 29 November 2009. Starting off in Norwich, and ending on Bournemouth BIC.

UK discography

Singles

  • "Rock On" - 1973 - Number 3
  • "Lamplight" - 1973 - Number 7
  • "America" - 1974 - Number 32
  • "Gonna Make You a Star" - 1974 - Number 1
  • "Stardust" - 1975 - Number 7
  • "Rolling Stone" - 1975 - Number 5
  • "Hold Me Close" - 1975 - Number 1
  • "If I Could" - 1975 - Number 13
  • "City Lights" - 1976 - Number 24
  • "Coming Home" - 1976 - Number 24
  • "Cool Out Tonight" - 1977 - Number 23
  • "Stay With Me Baby" - 1978 - Number 45
  • "Oh What A Circus" - 1978 - Number 3
  • "Brave New World" - 1978 - Number 55
  • "Imperial Wizard" - 1979 - Number 32
  • "Silver Dream Machine (Part 1)" - 1980 - Number 4
  • "Hot Love" - 1980 - Number 57
  • "Me And My Girl (Night-Clubbing)" - 1982 - Number 13
  • "A Winter's Tale" - 1982 - Number 2
  • "The Smile" - 1983 - Number 52
  • "Tahiti (From 'Mutiny In The Bounty')" - 1983 - Number 8
  • "You're In My Heart" - 1983 - Number 59
  • "Fishing For The Moon" - 1984 - Number 76
  • "Welcome" - 1984 - Number 80
  • "Fallen Angels Riding" - 1985 - Number 29
  • "Friends" - 1985 - Number 91
  • "Myfanwy" - 1987 - Number 41[14]
  • "The River" - 1988 - Number 97
  • "Rock On" (remix) - 1989 - Number 93
  • "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" - 1989 - Number 90
  • "True Love Ways" - 1994 (with Catherine Zeta Jones) - Number 38

Albums

  • Rock On - 1973 - Number 7
  • David Essex - 1974 - Number 2
  • All The Fun Of The Fair - 1975 - Number 4
  • On Tour - 1976 - Number 51
  • Out On The Street - 1976 - Number 31
  • Gold and Ivory - 1977 - Number 29
  • David Essex Album - 1979 - Number 29
  • Imperial Wizard - 1979 - Number 12
  • Hot Love - 1980 - Number 75
  • Stage-Struck - 1982 - Number 31
  • The Very Best Of David Essex - 1982 - Number 32
  • Living in England - 1995
  • A Night at the Movies - 1997 - Number 14
  • I Still Believe - 1999
  • Thank You - 2000
  • Wonderful - 2001
  • Theatre Of Dreams - 2001
  • Forever - 2001
  • Sunset - 2003
  • It's Gonna Be Alright - 2004
  • Greatest Hits - 2006
  • Beautiful Day - 2006
  • Happy Ever After - 2007
  • All The Fun Of The Fair - Greatest Hits - 2008 - UK #23[15]

References

  1. ^ The Biography Channel - David Essex Biography
  2. ^ a b Amazon.co.uk: A Charmed Life: The Autobiography of David Essex: David Essex: Books
  3. ^ when younger played cricket against the great shaun brady ex indian test playerThe Biography Channel - David Essex Biography
  4. ^ a b BBC NEWS | Programmes | Breakfast | Rags to riches tale of Essex boy David
  5. ^ History of Jeff Wayne's musical version of The War Of The Worlds
  6. ^ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,919829,00.html Eva Peron, Superstar - Retrieved: April 28, 2007
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ IndieLondon: David Essex and a new musical - Your London Reviews
  9. ^ "Heartbeat" - The Traveller (2000)IMDB.com
  10. ^ BBC - 6 Music Album Of The Day - Saint Etienne: Tales From Turnpike House
  11. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4491932.stm Essex withdraws from EastEnders - Retrieved: April 27, 2007
  12. ^ BBC News.
  13. ^ Aspects of Love musical on stage: Ticket and UK tour information
  14. ^ "Myfanwy" is a poem by John Betjeman set to music. For lyrics see http://poetry.poetryx.com/poems/4550/
  15. ^ "Official Album Chart for the week ending 27 September 2008". ChartsPlus (Milton Keynes: IQ Ware Ltd) (370): 5–8. 
  • Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X
  • Guinness Book of British Hit Albums - 7th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-619-7
  • The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits - ISBN 0-85112-250-7
  • [2] Jeff Wayne's "The War Of The Worlds" 1978
  • [3] Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, song "Oh What a Circus" by David Essex
  • [4] David Essex to appear in "Aspects Of Love" a new musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber
  • [5] Saint Etienne: Tales From Turnpike House released: 13 June 2005
  • [6] former patron of the Gypsy Council in Britain
  • [7] David Essex awarded the OBE in 1999 in recognition of his charity work with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
  • [8] (para.4) Essex starred in and wrote score for movie "Silver Dream Racer". David, also topped the UK music charts with "Silver Dream Machine
  • [9] A Charmed Life: The Autobiography of David Essex - published 2002 (Orion)
  • [10] 5th paragraph "Essex played Fletcher Christian in his own musical Mutiny! (co-written with Richard Crane) which played at the Piccadilly Theatre for sixteen months.

External links


This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 

 

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Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Actor. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "David Essex".  Read more

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