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Patrick Humphries

Patrick Humphries

Patrick Humphries began his writing life as a “hip young gunslinger” on New Musical Express back in the last century. He then went on staff at Melody Maker and Vox.  Back then, freelancing was a warm, welcoming and paid place to be. Pre-internet Patrick wrote for The Observer, The Guardian, Daily Mail, Evening Standard and Sunday Express.

He also contributed to New Music News, The History Of Rock, Record Collector, Mojo, GQ. Over the years he has interviewed Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Art Garfunkel, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Neil Tennant, Cher, Ian Dury, Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Gary Brooker, Richard Thompson, Nick Mason, Sandy Denny, Roger Waters, Viv Stanshall, Tom Waits, Al Stewart Leonard Cohen... Oh, and the three surviving Beatles

Patrick’s first book was Meet On The Ledge: A History Of Fairport Convention. Since then he has had published well received biographies of Paul Simon, Tom Waits, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Elton John. Patrick’s was the first-ever full-length biography of Nick Drake and the only-ever authorized Richard Thompson biography.

When it was all green fields round here, Patrick broadcast regularly on BBC Radio 1, 2, 4, 6 Music and World Service. He wrote and was known to present documentaries for the Beeb on Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Elton John, the Bee Gees, Beach Boys and Bob Dylan. Patrick has been Dylan fan since 1965 when he first heard 'Mr Tambourine Man' (but thought it was by Donovan). Bob brushed against him at the Hearts Of Fire press conference. He later learned that if you bump into Bob at a social occasion, do not offer him bottled Guinness.

Patrick's latest book, With The Beatles will be published by Great Northern Books in August 2024, based on his interviews with Paul, George & Ringo.

10 articles

List of articles in the library

By date | By artist | Most recently added

Steeleye Span: Timespan (Mooncrest)

Review by Patrick Humphries, New Musical Express, 26 March 1977

NOT THE new Steeleye Span album, not even a collection of "previously unreleased material", but rather that curious package which record companies dutifully release from ...

Richard Thompson, Richard and Linda Thompson: Richard Thompson: That's It For Western Civilisation*

Interview by Patrick Humphries, New Musical Express, 23 April 1977

RICHARD THOMPSON, mainstay of Fairport Convention up to and including Full House, writer of fine spine-chilling songs, possessor of hauntingly effective voice and an unequivocally ...

Bert Jansch: Jansch Reveals: I Was True To Elvis...

Interview by Patrick Humphries, New Musical Express, 21 May 1977

JIMMY PAGE was once quoted as saying, "Jansch was my biggest single influence", but for some reason neglected to give him a composing credit on ...

Emmylou Harris & the Hot Band: Royal Albert Hall, London

Live Review by Patrick Humphries, New Musical Express, 18 February 1978

EMMYLOU DELAYS COMBUSTION ...

Roky Erickson: The Roky horror show

Interview by Patrick Humphries, Melody Maker, August 1980

PATRICK HUMPHRIES bumps into Roky Erickson. ...

Paul Simon: One-Trick Pony (Warner Brothers K56846).

Review by Patrick Humphries, Melody Maker, 23 August 1980

An ace in a hole ...

Vivian Stanshall: Viv Stanshall, beginning at the End

Interview by Patrick Humphries, Melody Maker, 3 February 1981

ENGLISH AS silly mid-off, not averse to the odd glass of horizontal juice, author, artist, father and person — Vivian Stanshall. ...

Richard and Linda Thompson: The Tramshed, Woolwich, London

Live Review by Patrick Humphries, Melody Maker, 27 June 1981

REASSURING TO see the "House Full" signs up for a Richard and Linda Thompson gig, even if it was under slightly sad circumstances. Nothing to ...

Tom Waits: Bounced Checks (Asylum ASK 52316)

Review by Patrick Humphries, Melody Maker, 14 November 1981

HAVING HAD his thunder stolen by Rickie Lee Jones, ol' gravel voice weighs in with a timely "Greatest Hits" compilation. It's a selection from six ...

John Cooper Clarke, Linton Kwesi Johnson: Linton Kwesi Johnson and John Cooper Clarke: Poetry In Motion

Interview by Patrick Humphries, Melody Maker, 3 April 1982

Poets cornered — Patrick Humphries meets Linton Kwesi Johnson and Johnny Clarke. ...

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