David Essex

David Essex, English singer, songwriter and actor, plays Swansea Arena on 27 September 2026. Born David Albert Cook in Plaistow and raised in Canning Town, he first cut his teeth as a drummer and singer in local groups before breaking through with Godspell in 1971, the film That’ll Be the Day, and his self-penned Rock On in 1973. That track set the tone for a blend of glam, British pop and rock’n’roll, with supple phrasing and a narrative edge. The 70s run — Rock On, David Essex, All the Fun of the Fair, Out on the Street, Imperial Wizard — pushed toward a more melodic pop rock. In parallel, he kept a strong link with musical theatre, from Tommy to Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds in 1978, then created the role of Che in Evita the same year. The following decades mixed albums, tours, screen work and collaborations, including Be-Bop the Future, Cover Shot and a feature with Saint Etienne. On stage, he draws across this catalogue, from early singles to later work, tracing the path of a long, shape-shifting career.