David Essex -

David Essex (born July 23, 1947) is an English vocalist, songwriter, and actor who first recorded a string of pop singles during the mid-to-late 1960s. In 1973, he commenced a working partnership with producer/composer Jeff Wayne that yielded a string of lavishly orchestrated rock albums, including the singer’s melodramatic opus Out on the Street (1976) and the producer’s monumental musical version of The War of the Worlds (1978).

Background

He was born David Albert Cook in Plaistow, Essex (now Newham, Greater London) on July 23, 1947. His Irish mother, Olive (née Kemp), was a self-taught pianist. From age two, he was raised in Canning Town in East London, where he attended Star Lane Primary School. He initially aspired to be a pro football player, but as a teenager took up drums amid the flurry of local beat groups.

In April 1965, Cook made his vinyl debut as singer David Essex with the Fontana single “And the Tears Came Tumbling Down” (b/w “You Can’t Stop Me From Loving You”), both sides written by Perry Ford. Later that year, he covered the James Mitchell number “Can’t Nobody Love You,” recorded earlier by Solomon Burke (b/w “Baby I Don’t Mind”).

Essex cut two further Fontana singles in 1966: “Thigh High” (b/w “De Boom Lay Boom”) and the Ray Charles chestnut “This Little Girl of Mine,” recorded earlier by the Everly Brothers (b/w “Brokenhearted”).

He cut his next two singles for Uni in 1967/68: the Beatles cover “She’s Leaving Home” (b/w “He’s a Better Man Than Me”) and Randy Newman’s “Love Story” (b/w “Higher Than High”).

In 1968, Essex cut the Pye single “Just for Tonight” (b/w “Goodbye”), produced by Tony Macaulay. He rounded his ’60s singles phase with two 1969 Decca releases: “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (b/w “Is It So Strange”) and “That Takes Me Back” (b/w “Lost Without Linda”), both produced and written by the team of Arnold, Martin, and Morrow under the musical direction of Nicky Welsh.

Essex launched his acting career with a bit part (Man in Chemist Shop) in the 1971 British thriller Assault. That same year, he was cast as the lead in the stage musical Godspell. In 1972, he played Ronnie Briggs in the English crime-drama All Coppers Are….

Rock On

David Essex released his debut album, Rock On, in November 1973 on CBS.

The album explores a stylistic range that intersects glam rock, sparse art-pop arrangements, and echo-heavy production. Jeff Wayne handles all production, arrangement, and conducting duties, crafting a studio atmosphere defined by minimalist instrumentation, open space, and rhythmic displacement.

Guitarists Mark Griffiths, Jo Partridge, and Kirby Gregory support Essex alongside bassist Herbie Flowers, drummer Barry de Souza, and percussionist Ray Cooper. Wayne and Alan Hawkshaw supply Moog synthesizer textures. John Morton plays ondes Martenot. Rock On features backing vocalists Julie Covington, Doreen and Irene Chanter, Jimmy Helms, Gary Osborne, Jimmy Thomas, Paul Vigrass, Billy Laurie, and Tom Saffrey.

A1. “Lamplight” (2:56)
A2. “Turn Me Loose” (2:18)
A3. “On and On” (2:51)
A4. “Streetfight” (3:50)
A5. “Rock On” (3:24)

B1. “Ocean Girl” (3:10)
B2. “Bring in the Sun” (4:36)
B3. “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her” (2:56)
B4. “We All Insane” (3:03)
B5. “Tell Him No” (3:58)
B6. “September 15th” (1:22)

Sessions took place at Advision Studios in London with Gary Martin engineering. Jeff Wayne developed the sonic identity of Rock On using tape effects, reverb, and unorthodox instrumental layering, particularly on the title track, which features a double-tracked bass riff by Herbie Flowers that forms the song’s defining texture. The arrangement omits chordal instruments in favor of timbral contrast and rhythmic syncopation.

“Rock On” appeared as the lead single on July 27, 1973, backed with “On and On.” It reached No. 3 in the UK, No. 5 in the US, and topped the Canadian RPM chart in March 1974. “Lamplight” followed on November 2 as the second single. The album peaked at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart, No. 24 in Canada, and No. 32 on the US Billboard 200.

David Essex

David Essex released his self-titled second album in September 1974 on CBS.

The album continues Essex’s collaboration with Jeff Wayne and expands his studio palette with a denser mix of glam rock and theatrical pop elements.

Chris Spedding and Mark Griffiths handle guitar, backed by bassist Mike Thorn and drummer Barry de Souza. Peter Wood plays keyboards alongside Jeff Wayne and Ken Freeman on synthesizers. Reedist Alan Wakeman appears with the English Saxophone Consort. Backing vocalists include Julie Covington, Paul Vigrass, Gary Osborne, Billy Lowrie, the Chanter sisters, and American vocal group The Persuasions..

A1. “Gonna Make You a Star” (3:29)
A2. “Window” (4:03)
A3. “I Know” (3:34)
A4. “There’s Something About You Baby” (3:48)
A5. “Good Ol’ Rock & Roll” (4:41)

B1. “America” (3:21)
B2. “Dance Little Girl” (3:03)
B3. “Ooh Darling” (2:56)
B4. “Miss Sweetness” (4:37)
B5. “Stardust” (4:05)

Sessions took place at Advision Studios in London with Gary Martin engineering and Rockette assisting. Jeff Wayne handled production, arrangement, and conducting. The album’s release was strategically timed to coincide with Essex’s film Stardust, which premiered one month later with a different soundtrack release. A secondary version of the song “Stardust” appears in the film, while the CBS album features an alternate studio version. The cassette edition of David Essex includes a reprise instrumental of “Gonna Make You a Star” after the album’s closing track.

“America” appeared as the album’s first single but failed to chart significantly. “Gonna Make You a Star” followed on September 27, 1974, and reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart by November, holding that position for three weeks. “Stardust” issued in late November and peaked at No. 7. The album climbed to No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, earning gold certification for sales over 100,000 copies. It ranked as the second-best-selling album in the UK during the 1974 holiday season.

All the Fun of the Fair

David Essex released his third album, All the Fun of the Fair, in September 1975 on CBS.

The album builds on Essex’s theatrical pop style with expanded arrangements and recurring motifs, framed by Jeff Wayne’s layered production and use of thematic reprises.

Guitarists Chris Spedding and Jo Partridge back Essex, anchored by the Thorn/Souza rhythm section. Wayne splits keyboard tracks with Ken Freeman and Mike Garson. Saxist Alan Wakeman appears with Dave White. Liverpudlian soulsters The Real Thing sing backing vocals, with Oliver Jerome credited for “double bark.”

A1. “All the Fun of the Fair” (6:45)
A2. “Hold Me Close” (3:55)
A3. “Circles” (5:00)
A4. “If I Could” (4:15)
A5. “Rolling Stone” (5:30)

B1. “Won’t Get Burned Again” (3:40)
B2. “Coconut Ice” (3:30)
B3. “Watch Out (Carolina)” (3:50)
B4. “Here It Comes Again” (5:00)
B5. “Funfair (Reprise)” (2:35)

Recording took place at Advision Studios in London under Jeff Wayne’s direction with engineers Geoff Young, Ken Thomas, Paul Northfield, and Rockette. Art direction and packaging were handled by Roslav Szaybo, with cover photography by Peter Lavery and image retouching by M. Boncza.

“Rolling Stone” appeared first in early 1975 and reached No. 5 in the UK and No. 19 in Australia. “Hold Me Close” followed in September and became Essex’s second UK No. 1, staying at the top for three weeks. “If I Could” appeared as the third single and peaked at No. 13. The album sustained Essex’s momentum from the previous year, charting high during the autumn release period and reinforcing his standing in the UK pop scene.

On Tour

In May 1976, David Essex released On Tour, a double live album on CBS.

The album compiles performances from his mid-1970s stage show, drawing from his first four studio albums with extended arrangements and theatrical staging under the direction of Jeff Wayne.

All the Fun of the Fair players back Essex performed these dates with All the Fun of the Fair personnel: Partridge, Freeman, Wakeman, Thorn/Souza, and backing vocalists The Real Thing.

A1. “All the Fun of the Fair” (6:50) – originally on All the Fun of the Fair (1975)
A2. “Hold Me Close” (4:56) – originally on All the Fun of the Fair (1975)
A3. “Circles” (5:30) – originally on All the Fun of the Fair (1975)
B1. “Good Ol’ Rock ’N’ Roll” (5:45) – originally on David Essex (1974)
B2. “On and On” (3:50) – originally on Rock On (1973)
B3. “Going for the Big One” (3:15) – previously unreleased
B4. “America” (3:30) – originally on David Essex (1974)
B5. “Gonna Make You a Star” (4:10) – originally on David Essex (1974)

C1. “Stardust” (3:10) – originally on David Essex (1974)
C2. “Streetfight” (4:20) – originally on Rock On (1973)
C3. “Rock On” (4:55) – originally on Rock On (1973)
C4. “Rolling Stone” (4:10) – originally on All the Fun of the Fair (1975)
D1. “Won’t Get Burned Again” (5:30) – originally on All the Fun of the Fair (1975)
D2. “Here It Comes Again” (7:30) – originally on All the Fun of the Fair (1975)
D3. “All the Fun of the Fair (Reprise)” (3:40) – originally on All the Fun of the Fair (1975)

Live recordings were mixed at Sarm Studios by engineers Gary Langan, Gary Lyons, and Ric Curtin. Jeff Wayne produced, arranged, and conducted the set for JWM Productions. Arun cut the lacquer, and CBS issued the double LP with packaging by Shorewood.

On Tour reached No. 11 in Australia and preserved Essex’s theatrical stage sound at the height of his mid-decade popularity.

Out on the Street

David Essex released his fourth studio album, Out on the Street, in October 1976 on CBS.

The album expands Essex’s dramatic rock vocabulary with longer forms and layered arrangements shaped by Jeff Wayne’s orchestrated production. Guitarists Mark Griffiths and Phil Palmer back Essex, anchored by bassist Mike Thorn and drummer Pete Woolf. Jeff Wayne and Geoff Westley alternate on keyboards and synthesizers. Alan Wakeman plays saxophone and woodwinds. The Real Thing sing backing vocals on “Thank You Very Much.”

A1. “Out on the Street” (10:05)
A2. “Let the Fool Live” (4:45)
A3. “Thank You Very Much” (5:15)
A4. “Just Wanna Dance” (4:10)

B1. “Run With the Pack” (8:10)
B2. “Coming Home” (3:58)
B3. “Ooh, Love” (4:06)
B4. “City Lights” (6:48)

Sessions took place at Advision Studios and Sarm East Studios in London, as well as Studio 92 in Paris. Engineering was handled by Gary Lyons, Geoff Young, Martin Rushent, and Paul Hardiman. BilBo cut lacquers at Master Room, and CBS issued the album in a gatefold sleeve with cover illustrations by Tony Wright and art direction by Roslav Szaybo. Jeff Wayne produced, arranged, and conducted the album under his JWM Productions banner.

“City Lights” was issued as the lead single, reaching No. 24 in the UK and climbing to No. 4 in Australia. “Coming Home” followed as a second single, also peaking at No. 24 in the UK and reaching No. 30 in Australia. The album charted at No. 31 in the UK and No. 30 in Australia, sustaining Essex’s momentum with a deeper, more expansive studio sound.

Gold and Ivory

David Essex released his fifth studio album, Gold and Ivory, in September 1977 on CBS.

The album continues Essex’s shift toward theatrical pop and eclectic stylistic blends, with arrangements shaped through co-productions and expanded instrumentation.

Phil Palmer handles guitar alongside Mark Griffiths, who adds bass, harmonica, and backing vocals. Barry de Souza plays drums and percussion. Ronnie Leahy covers keyboards throughout. Alan Wakeman plays saxophone, clarinet, and flute.

A1. “New Horizon” (4:24)
A2. “Good Morning (Darling)” (4:56)
A3. “Yesterday in L.A.” (3:01)
A4. “Lend Me Your Comb” (2:57)
A5. “Whole Lotta Monkey” (3:22)
A6. “Back Street Crawler” (6:25)

B1. “That Circle Keeps on Changing” (3:29)
B2. “Cool Out Tonight” (3:14)
B3. “You” (4:11)
B4. “Virginia (And the Circus Sideshow)” (3:52)
B5. “Britannia” (3:52)
B6. “Gold & Ivory” (4:35)

Sessions were split between Advision Studios and The Manor, with Alan Parker and Paul Hardiman engineering and tape support by Alan Douglas and Lawrence Diane. Pete Norman handled mastering. Artwork and design were directed by Tony Wright, with photography by Brian Aris. CBS issued the album in both UK and continental editions, pressed in Haarlem with packaging by Shorewood. Jeff Wayne served as executive producer under the JWM Productions imprint.

Gold and Ivory reached No. 29 on the UK Albums Chart. 1977 non-album single: “Stay with Me Baby”

1978 Musical Numbers

In 1978, David Essex appeared on Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds as the Artilleryman. That same year, he originated the role of Che in the West End production of Evita by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

“Oh What a Circus” appeared as a solo single on August 19, 1978, on Mercury. Produced and arranged by Mike Batt, the track shares its melody with “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” and features chant-style vocals layered over a mid-tempo arrangement. Spedding, Flowers, and De Souza back Essex with Batt, who handles keyboards and orchestration.

A. “Oh What a Circus” (3:54)
B. “High Flying, Adored” (3:46)

Essex recorded the song in 1978 during his stint in Evita, where he received top billing. Batt produced the studio version independently of the cast album. Mercury released the single with a non-album B-side version of “High Flying, Adored.”

“Oh What a Circus” reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and charted in the top 30 across parts of Western Europe. The single marked a return to high chart placement for Essex, following a period of reduced visibility after his CBS run.

Imperial Wizard

David Essex released his sixth studio album, Imperial Wizard, in March 1979 on Mercury.

The album spans theatrical rock, orchestrated balladry, and rhythm-forward arrangements, divided between sessions produced by David Essex, Christopher Neil, and Mike Batt.

Chris Spedding and Phil Palmer share guitar duties. Herbie Flowers plays bass on most tracks, with John Fiddy on “Oh What a Circus.” Barry de Souza rotates the drum slot with Kenney Jones and Trevor Morais. Essex alternates keyboards with Francis Monkman, Paul Maguire, and Ken Freeman. Percussionist Ray Cooper returns alongside Alan Wakeman, whose brass arrangements grace “Let It Flow” and “Call On Me.” David Cullen arranges strings for the London Philharmonic. The Whistlebinkies appear on “Are You Still My True Love.”

A1. “Let It Flow” (3:32)
A2. “Call On Me” (3:10)
A3. “Are You Still My True Love” (3:34)
A4. “Oh What a Circus” (3:56)
A5. “Imperial Wizard” (5:15)

B1. “I Forgot to Forget You” (2:55)
B2. “Oh What a Feeling” (3:37)
B3. “Won’t Change Me Now” (2:50)
B4. “Goodbye First Love” (3:36)
B5. “20 Flights Up” (3:21)
B6. “Ships That Pass in the Night” (4:32)

Sessions took place at RCA Studios, with engineering by Robert Butterworth, Paul Hardiman, and Laurence Diana. Spikey cut the lacquer for side B. Mike Batt produced “Oh What a Circus,” “Goodbye First Love,” and “20 Flights Up,” while Christopher Neil produced “Imperial Wizard,” “I Forgot to Forget You,” and “Oh What a Feeling.” David Essex produced the remaining tracks. Artwork includes cover illustrations by Tony Wright and photography by Brian Aris. Essex also conceived the album’s visual presentation.

“Oh What a Circus,” taken from Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart in advance of the album. The title track followed as the second single and peaked at No. 32. Imperial Wizard reached No. 12 on the UK Albums Chart, marking Essex’s continued chart presence heading into the final years of the decade.

Discography: