David Hancock
David Hancock (snapped with Harry Nilsson) possessed an arcane mastery of the matrix numbers on Motown singles that got him a job as the R&B and soul writer on Record Mirror in 1974. "Do what you gotta do," they told him. "The Four Tops TMG 710," he replied.
David was trained as a journalist on a local Midlands newspaper before taking the hippie trail overland to India and back, arriving in London when music papers were big business and sold in hundreds of thousands a week. He quickly moved from specialist R&B writer to features writer and news editor on Record Mirror before being poached by an upstart magazine called National RockStar.
Unfortunately for David, the title closed within five months, but after a stint writing rock biographies for top PR Keith Altham he was hired by the London Evening News to join the first celebrity gossip column in the country – "Ad Lib" – and write showbiz features. He remembers Bob Dylan, David Bowie and an hilarious encounter with Viv Stanshall as some of the more memorable moments. But with one foot in the door of Fleet Street it was suddenly slammed in his face when the Evening News closed in October 1980. (Have you noticed a certain pattern emerging here?)
But undeterred he was soon back with a stint on the Sun’s pop column "Bizarre" before joining the Daily Mirror where he was a showbiz feature writer and later editor of the ground-breaking internet and video games column "Power Up". "I thought it was the new music biz," he explains. "There was so much money in technology they would fly you to New York just to play a game."
In recent years he has turned his hand to writing books including two about South London gangsters, a children’s book, and the world’s first book about medical tourism, The Complete Medical Tourist.
Asked if he would like to interview today’s fast-moving slew of techno, hip-hop and rap artists, he replies: "Of course I would, but have they got anything to say?"
Nowadays he divides his time between his home in Highbury, North London, and an apartment in Spain.
81 articles
List of articles in the library
Billy Preston: I Wrote A Simple Song (A&M AMLH 63507, £2.29)
Review by David Hancock, Disc, 15 January 1972
SOLO BILLY AT HIS FUNKIEST ...
Mason Williams: Sharepickers (Warner Brothers K46120, £2.29)
Review by David Hancock, Disc and Music Echo, 15 January 1972
IT SEEMS Mason (the 'Classical Gas' man for those with short memories) has stopped throwing typewriters out of Greyhound buses and other 'pop-art' pursuits and ...
Ken Boothe ...On the Kingston Line
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 2 November 1974
UNLESS YOU'RE a committed reggae freak you probably think Ken Boothe is a bit of an overnight sensation. ...
The Chi-Lites — too good to be ignored
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 23 November 1974
EVEN FIVE years ago a few "oohs and "aahs" and a bit of harmony would have got any soul record branded as specialist. But things ...
The Chi-Lites... too good to be ignored
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 23 November 1974
EVEN FIVE years ago a few "oohs and aahs" and a bit of harmony would have got any soul record branded as specialist. But things ...
Profile and Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 7 December 1974
THE BEAR is elusive... that's what they're saying of ex-roadie Barry White who in two years has carved a name for himself as the world's ...
Rufus: Going Below The Belt With Rufus
Profile and Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 14 December 1974
YOU KNOW the feelin' — worn out by too much funk, and sweet soul don't make it for you anymore. Well don't despair, Krudde music ...
Pilot: And Now for a Sad Story of... Flying Too High
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 21 December 1974
PILOT ARE in limbo. They've scrapped their headlining tour after only one gig and their immediate plans are very much up in the air. ...
George McCrae, Sweet Sensation, The Three Degrees: Soul Single of the Year: 'Rock Your Baby'
Guide by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 25 January 1975
IT WAS the year's summer sound — a sort of black funk Lovin' Spoonful — which for a short time wholly captured the imagination of ...
Queen: The Very Fabulous Freddie Was Born To Rule
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 1 February 1975
THE QUICK SILVER Girl has style, but it's not just cultivated, it stems back to those balmy days in East Africa. ...
Hamilton Bohannon: South African Man from Georgia: King Hamilton of Discoland
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 22 February 1975
His Majesty Bohannon grants Our Hancock an audience ...
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 15 March 1975
LABELLE ARE fashionable. They have a top ten single and album in the States, yet in Britain — nothing. As I said Labelle are fashionable. ...
Ann Peebles: "You Never Stop Paying Your Dues," Husband Don tells David Hancock
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 29 March 1975
ANN PEEBLES IS UNCONCERNED ABOUT HER LACK OF RECOGNITION HERE ...
Barry White: Not Just A Pretty Voice
Profile and Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 17 May 1975
IF YOU ever meet Barry White, don't mention Gene Page. Things could get a little rough. Barry, weighing in at somewhere near 20 stone, is ...
Disco-Tex and his Sex-O-Lettes: Disco Tex: Boogoo Boogoo to Choo
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 24 May 1975
Sir Monti talks to David Hancock ...
Kilburn & The High Roads: The Kilburns' Freak Show
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 5 July 1975
They are not exactly... handsome. ...
Showaddywaddy: Not Just a Rock 'n' Roll Band
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 13 September 1975
MALCOLM ALLURED, also known as "The Duke" is looking for his band. ...
The Trammps: "All You'll Ever Be Is A Bunch Of Trammps"
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 22 November 1975
TRACKING DOWN the Trammps: you'd think a group who had three big hits this year would be easy to find, right? ...
David Bowie: The Return of the Thin Man
Report by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 6 December 1975
If you live in London, you probably saw it. If you don't you probably heard about it. But if you haven't done either here's the ...
Van Dyke Parks: Clang Of The Yankee Reaper (Warners K 5 6161)
Review by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 17 January 1976
THE REAL genius behind the best of the Beach Boys makes a much more commercial statement than he did on the surprising Song Cycle or ...
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 7 February 1976
AS THE purring of the telephone becomes a definite ring Donna Summer reaches blindly across crumpled sheets to silence the damn thing. ...
The Fatback Band: Fatback Band: Keep On Dancing
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 21 February 1976
YOU CAN be forgiven for thinking the Fatback Band would come on as pure street — y'know gettin' down with it, plenty of jive talk, ...
Vangelis: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 21 February 1976
WELL IF you've got to take it seriously you can't take it much better than Vangelis Odyssey Papathanassiou, the gent who has taken the gimmickry ...
Biddu, Tina Charles: Tina Charles: Tina's Six Year Itch
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 28 February 1976
TINA CHARLES to Rubber Duck: "He's probably prevented me from getting to No. 1 which is a bit disappointing. I was looking forward to the ...
Eddie Drennon, The Fatback Band, M & O Band, Van McCoy: The Hustlers
Report by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 6 March 1976
TAKE A WALK down New York's bustling "barrio" and the chances are that some Puerto Rican will start hustling you. They can't help it, they've ...
Bobby Womack: Who Loves Ya Bobby?
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 27 March 1976
HE'S HUNG out with the Stones, the Faces, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, oh you name them... the point is, Bobby Womack has never been outside ...
Billy Ocean: The Other Side of the Ocean
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 3 April 1976
BILLY OCEAN doesn't drink, well at least he didn't, but you know what they say day trips to Holland can be like. ...
Profile by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 10 April 1976
THE EAGLE, sorry, the bald-headed eagle, is America's national symbol. Carrying an olive branch and a sheath of arrows it sums up all that is ...
David Essex, The Real Thing: The Real Thing haven't souled out
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 5 June 1976
HOW MANY British black groups can you name? Still counting on one hand eh? Well you can now add the Real Thing to that list ...
James and Bobby Purify: James & Bobby — The Pure Truth
Interview by David Hancock, Record Mirror, 12 June 1976
JAMES AND BOBBY Purify aren't really James and Bobby Purify. ...
Vangelis: Hairy Greek finds Cosmos
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 23 October 1976
LIKE EVERYTHING else, it depends on how you look at it. Some people, for instance, see it all as a Chaos — everything rushing around ...
Melba Moore: Have You Met Miss Moore?
Profile and Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 30 October 1976
NOT IF ALL YOU'VE HEARD IS HER DISCO SMASH, SAYS DAVID HANCOCK ...
Nona Hendryx, Labelle: Labelle: Lady Songwriter Thinks She's God
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 6 November 1976
MORE THAN any other vocal group, CBS's Labelle have thrived on that old cosmic image. They deal with grand themes as deftly as if they ...
The Sons Of Champlin: Frisco Acid Heads Won't Compromise
Profile and Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 6 November 1976
SAN FRANCISCO'S psychedelic boom of the 60's rocketed some bands like the Dead, Airplane and Quicksilver sky-high. It also left plenty of others in the ...
Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page: Jimmy Page: Lucifer's Rising
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 13 November 1976
OO-EE-OO. Strange magic. Plunging into the occult and locked into an Aleister Crowley trip. Marked down on a snuff list; to be rubbed out by ...
The Bay City Rollers: We Could Call 'Em Haggis Punk, But You'd Still Suss The Rollers
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 13 November 1976
LIKE IT OR not over the past few years the Bay City Rollers have generated the kind of adulation usually associated with the Mersey boom ...
Boz Scaggs' Second Bite of Cake
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 20 November 1976
DAVID HANCOCK sips champagne with U.S. chart top ...
The Bay City Rollers: Sixteen Rollers in Nine Years
Comment by David Hancock, National RockStar, 20 November 1976
Loathe 'em or like 'em, there's something wrong with the Scotty boppers. It's being plastic, says DAVID HANCOCK ...
Gladys Knight and the Pips: A Knight in Las Vegas Or: Africa Calls, Gladys Answers
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 4 December 1976
If politics and music don't mix, how come in the U.S. you have to be a top r 'n' b seller to get AM radio ...
Mud: More Mature Mud has a Flop and Plays Colleges
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 25 December 1976
But Les Gray tells David Hancock confidentially 'We haven't changed anything' ...
Warren Zevon: Looking For Links In L.A.
Profile and Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 25 December 1976
Warren Zevon explains patiently to David Hancock ...
Todd Rundgren, Utopia: Dear Reader, Todd Rundgren (Genius) Thinks You're Thick
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 8 January 1977
....or at least reading this won't educate you. Now if you saw hint on telly or, even better, in concert.... well, you'd be all the ...
Donna Summer: They're Gonna Put Me In The Movies
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 15 January 1977
Donna Summer reveals all to David Hancock ...
David Bowie: Low (RCA PL K12030)
Review by David Hancock, National RockStar, 22 January 1977
WELL IF IT'S the right speed maybe it's the wrong artist. Nope. This is David Bowie. And it's different. And it's excellent. ...
David Bowie: King Queen or Joker?
Overview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 22 January 1977
David Bowie is the Black Paper Between the Mirror. ...
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 29 January 1977
featuring DAVID HANCOCK on handbag ...
The Eagles: Eagles Get The Bird
Comment by David Hancock, National RockStar, 5 February 1977
'A cheap sold-out group ten years behind the times' bristles DAVID HANCOCK ...
Maxine Nightingale: "A Rich Hippie"
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 19 February 1977
MAXINE NIGHTINGALE describes herself as "a rich hippie". That's how honest she is. ...
Eddie Kendricks: Kendricks To Quit Motown
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 26 February 1977
EDDIE HENDRICKS is quitting Tamla Motown. ...
The Rubettes: Rubettes Bounce Back
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 26 February 1977
DAVID HANCOCK meets teen dreams at TOTP, screams gently, then talks to them seriously ...
Uriah Heep drama: the final act?
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 26 February 1977
Heavy rock 'n' roll is old, tired stuff. Ken Hensley says so and DAVID HANCOCK stares in amazement. Can this be the end of civilisation ...
Manhattan Transfer: Battling Against Nostalgia
Interview by David Hancock, National RockStar, 5 March 1977
DAVID HANCOCK dons his gloves and his satin shorts, and goes a few brutal rounds with Alan Paul ...
Mike Batt, The Wombles: Mike Batt: I'm Weary Of The Wombles...
Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 6 August 1977
...says the man who gave them voices ...
Elvis Costello: It's Elvis... Pop's New Anti-Hero
Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 3 September 1977
ANYONE WHO dares to cross Elvis Costello is in for big trouble. He always takes revenge. ...
David Bowie: Punk, Politics, Religion And War... By A Superstar
Report and Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 20 September 1977
Britain is ready for a new Hitler, says Bowie ...
Yes: Chris Squire: Yes, it's Great to be Home
Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 15 October 1977
BEING BASS player with the best rock band in the world has its rewards. ...
Maggie Bell: At last the Blues pay off for Maggie
Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 6 May 1978
MAGGIE BELL is currently enjoying her first hit single, which is surprising for someone voted Britain's top female singer in 1972, 73 and 74. ...
Bob Dylan: The Man Behind the Image
Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 13 May 1978
BOB DYLAN will be pocketing over £500,000 for the six shows he'll perform before more than 90,000 people at Earls Court next month. ...
Elvis Costello: Elvis Has It All Figured Out
Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 20 May 1978
ELVIS PRESLEY'S death shook many people, but none more so than Elvis Costello's management. ...
Bob Dylan: Earls Court, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 16 June 1978
Dylan finds the key to success in the 70s ...
Jefferson Starship: Starship Aim To Stay On Course
Report and Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 24 June 1978
FOR MANY fans the most disappointing news today is that legendary rock singer Grace Slick will not perform with the Jefferson Starship. ...
David Bowie: Earls Court, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 30 June 1978
Boxing Bowie's the champion of rock ...
John Cooper Clarke: The Punk Poet
Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 9 September 1978
JOHN COOPER Clarke is often mistaken for Bob Dylan. ...
Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 23 September 1978
"THEN YOU'LL wanna smoke some of this," said the New York taxi driver as he offered me a joint of grass. I'd just told him ...
The Ramones: Ramones: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 3 October 1978
Pow! It's the punk kings. ...
Vivian Stanshall: The Urban Submarine Man
Interview by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 7 October 1978
I WAS JUST about to plunge fully clothed into the swimming pool, notebook and pencil in hand, when it crossed my mind that it might ...
Santana: Wembley Arena, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 31 October 1978
Soaring sound of Santana ...
Elvis Costello & the Attractions: Dominion Theatre, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 20 December 1978
Hot rock from little Elvis ...
The Osmonds: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 26 January 1979
All good clean fun, but oh, for some emotion ...
Earth Wind and Fire: Earth, Wind and Fire: Wembley Arena, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 5 March 1979
Down to Earth... the Fire is dying ...
Elton John: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 3 April 1979
Elton is still way ahead of the rest ...
Gloria Gaynor: Palladium, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 6 April 1979
Oh no Gloria .... you won't survive ...
Retrospective by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 7 June 1979
THERE'S ONE guaranteed way to make sure any party is a dancing success — keep playing T. Rex hits. ...
Ian Dury & the Blockheads: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 6 August 1979
Back to front for Dury's six ...
Patti Smith: Wembley Arena, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 6 September 1979
Miss Smith misses out ...
Steve Forbert: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 24 March 1980
This boy's no clone ...
Genesis: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 28 March 1980
Victims of the British disease ...
The Four Seasons, Frankie Valli: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons: Royal Albert Hall, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 15 May 1980
Valli-Victory! ...
Odyssey: The Venue, Victoria, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 22 August 1980
Cute Odyssey ...
Stevie Wonder: Wembley Arena, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 2 September 1980
Stevie's still casting that black magic ...
Hall & Oates: Hall and Oates: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by David Hancock, Evening News, London, 23 September 1980
The Rock of Gold ...
back to LIBRARY
