Music
Impresario, Actor, Cricketer and Broadcaster
When David English finally resolved to put pen to
paper and script in written form a version of his
life history, the content somewhat defied the reader's
expectations of natural law. Originally the active
force behind RSO records, as President he was a
godfather to Robert Stigwood's enterprise, executing
from scratch the process of nurturing Eric Clapton
and the Bee Gees during the heyday of their careers
in the 1970's, towards RSO's ultimate climax as
the worlds most successful independent record company. David is a talented corporate speaker, wonderful and amuzing event host and great after dinner speaker.
His
diversity and tenacity undoubtedly existed in
parallel to that of Stigwood, in turn also seeing
English engage with the world of film, mixing
with the likes of Robert Redford and Anthony Hopkins,
achieving a memorable role in A Bridge Too Far!
Finally, he set about revolutionalising the quintessentially
British sport of cricket as organiser of the illustrious
Bunburys Cricket Club, a charity project founded
in 1987 with Eric Clapton and a cross section
of music, media and sport stars from Viv Richards
to Bill Wyman.
After raising some £8 million for charity,
English was crowned in June 2003 with his due
accolade of an MBE. He has now finally caught
the attention of world media over the past couple
of years with a beautifully romantic autobiography
on his life, 'Mad Dogs and The Englishman', where
he documents in the vernacular a diversity of
multifaceted achievements, which should by rights
be beyond the reach of most in a single lifespan.
English is gloriously in tune both with himself
and intuitively with the current penchants of
the media, his personal maxims propelling an upward
spiral of success, resembling closely the teaching
of twentieth century self-help therapy culture
in the most durable sense. The very basis of his
philosophies lies within the individual isolation
of the human condition, valuing spontaneity and
orientation towards the present.
Such preoccupations resonate with my habit of
often pondering the content of psychology books
while simultaneously reading a good biography.
The integration here is perfect, by the close
of page one of 'Mad Dogs', I can see in a more
concrete sense the explosive drive and compulsive
conscientiousness of a man who has lived and worked
through the ultimate rock and roll circus since
the 1960's.
Originally residing as Press Officer at Decca
records, David English inherited a degree of intimate
knowledge of The Stones repertoire, in turn also
becoming familiar with Dionne Warwick and Al Green.
Having studied the nuances of the industry inside
out, he graduated into the vibrancy of Robert
Stigwood's office as President of RSO as a twenty-seven
year old. Inevitably there were some initial teething
problems, with his first albums releases, The
Bee Gees Life In A Tin Can, Derek and The Dominos
In Concert and live Joseph, being pre-recorded
material.
From this foundation of plausible success, he
went on to actualise and coordinate a catalogue
of releases that have simply defined the parameters
of contemporary music.
Publications:
Mad Dogs and The Englishman
Information
kindly provided by:
Stephanie Thorburn, Voodoo magazine, November
2003© |
