David Essex

David Essex brings his songs and stories to The Forum, Bath, on 16 September 2026. Born David Albert Cook in Plaistow and raised in Canning Town, he cut his teeth as a drummer and singer in 60s London bands before a breakout on stage with Godspell in 1971 and on screen with That’ll Be the Day. In 1973, his self‑written Rock On set a tone he’s kept exploring ever since: a blend of glam edges, British pop instinct and rock’n’roll swing, carried by supple, narrative vocals.

Across the 70s he shifted toward a more melodic pop rock, releasing Rock On, David Essex, All the Fun of the Fair, Out on the Street and Imperial Wizard. Theatre has always run alongside the records: Tommy, Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds in 1978, then creating the role of Che in Evita the same year. The following decades mixed albums, touring, film and TV, from Be‑Bop the Future and Cover Shot to a 2005 collaboration with Saint Etienne.

On stage today, Essex revisits the tracks that shaped his path, balancing chart staples with deeper cuts, and folding in that theatre‑honed delivery that anchors his live shows.