Yorkshire - God's Own County » Yorkshire Arts & Music

Yorkshire’s Master Voice – 1970′s & 1980′s Pop Music

brian — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:55:47 +0000

Yorkshire can produce hard rock and heavy metal when it needs too and this applies to music as well as industry.
The 70′s and 80′s were productive years for our talented performers.

Def Leppard

The band were formed in Sheffield in 1977.
Lady Gaga claims that her forthcoming new album is inspired by Def Leppard
The group still perform spectacular live shows and have sold over 60 million records.
Have a look at the great detail available on the Def Leppard unofficial website. The official web site seems to be for pushing merchandise (not a Yorkshire thing to do).

Saxon

Saxon started in Barnsley as SOB during 1976 and joined forces with another local band Coast featuring Biff Byford on vocals and Paul Quinn on guitar. The line-up then comprised of ‘Oly’ Oliver, ‘Dobby’ Dawson, ‘Blute’ Quinn, ‘Frank’ Gill, and Peter ‘Biff’ Byford. The band was Son Of A Bitch soon changes to Saxon.
Saxon are still touring, often in Germany where they are especially popular. You can see them in the UK at Hammersmith Apollo, with Judas Priest on 26th May 2012
After the album Saxon in 1979 the 80′s started with Wheels of Steel and ended 8 albums later with Rock ‘N’ Roll Gypsies.
There have been greatest hits, live albums and several studio releases since.

David Coverdale

Born and raised in Saltburn North Yorkshire
David was successful as the lead singer with Deep Purple until it folded. He then recorded a couple of solo albums.
David formed Whitesnake in 1978 and they had success in the UK and Europe but it wasn’t until they reformed in 1984 that they had success in the USA
David declined to join Black Sabbath after the departure of Ronnie James Dio – a good move me thinks.

Black Lace

The most famous group to come out of Ossett, the town more famous for the saying “Don’t thee thou me thee thou thissen and see how tha likes thee thouing”
Perhaps that accounts for the unusual number one record that made Black Lace famous Agadoo
Black Lace came to the fore in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest. They finished seventh with the song “Mary Ann” one of the UK’s best performances?.
They also had party hits with Do the Conga, ‘I am the Music Man’ and a personal favourite of mine ‘Superman’

Robert Palmer January 1949 – September 2003

Born in Batley Robert moved to Scarborough at the age of 10 then on to Malta
For Island records he made 8 studio albums and a further 6 after moving to EMI
Best known for Addicted to Love and a Bad Case of Loving You
With Duran Duran and others, Robert Palmer joined would be supergroup The Power Station
In his obituary the Guardian said ‘One of the most gifted white soul singers of his crowded era, Robert Palmer, who has died of a heart attack aged 54, worked hard at being misunderstood.’ read more

Credit
Dog Looking at and Listening to a Phonograph, "His Master’s Voice", The Original RCA Music Puppy Dog Logo Symbol for Advertising by Beverly & Pack = Creative Commons

‘Live at Leeds’ – Yorkshire Pop Music in 1970′s

brian — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:35:25 +0000

Yorkshire popular music was ‘steady away’ in the 1970′s with Leeds university and Sheffield both producing good bands. Not a county to boast we did have a storming hit with the Brighouse and Raistrick Brass Band and Floral Dance. (What not pop music? Tell it to your grandma)

Smokie

The Bradford band recorded for Decca, RCA and successfully for Rak
“Oh Julie, Living next Door to Alice, I Love You Carolina, Oh Carol and an early single “Let the Good Times Roll” were some of Smokies top records.
Still claiming to be ‘Europe’s top live band, thirty years after its inception is truly fantastic’
After numerous name changes, after leaving St Bedes school Bradford, the band settled on Smokey only to be threatened by Smokey Robinson who made them make the final name change albeit only only inserting an ie instead of a Y

Jeff Christie

This Leeds lad had some success with the Outer Limits but they failed to make the big time and the band folded in 1969
Then sometime as a professional songwriter when he wrote for the Tremeloes
Yellow River was a hit for his Yorkshire band ‘Christie’.

Tony Christie

No relation to Jeff Christie, Tony was another Sheffield lad.
Maria and Is this the Way to Amarillo were iconic records.
Peter Kaye did a send up of ‘Is this the Way to Amarillo’ that got the song a second successful outing.

Paul Carrick

Sheffield must have been a musical breeding ground.
Paul was the singer with Squezee and Mike and The Mechanics.
He also had a big hit with ‘How Long’ by the Aces.

Be Bop Deluxe

Be Bop Deluxe was founded by Bill Nelson guitarist and singer-songwriter from Wakefield
Glam, Progressive Rock, or Heavy Metal they were hard to pigeon hole or label.
‘Ships in the Night’ was there major single success but they produced many good albums.

Paul Rodgers

Lead singer with Free, born in Middlesborough
‘All Right Now’ was a success for Free
With the band Bad Company Paul enjoyed years of success in the USA before being involved with several superbands.

The Who

- Unfortunately not from Gods Own County but their classic album ‘Live at Leeds’ deserves a mention. It also provides the framework for this post.

Amazon music links
Smokie
Tony Christie
Squeeze
Be Bop Deluxe
Mike and the Mechanics

Floral Dance Brighouse and Raistrick Brass Band

Yorkshire 1960′s Pop Singers and Clubs

brian — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:22:05 +0000

The 1960′s was a great era for popular music and Yorkshire had a thriving club scene. Famous names came to perform in Batley and Peter Stringfellow learnt his trade in Sheffield. The selected three Yorkshire born performers are still involved in the music business today.

Dave Berry

Sheffield sixties pop star Dave Berry is best remembered for his hit The Crying Game
Dave celebrated 50-years in the business during 2011.
Gene Vincent was one of Dave’s heros and he imitated Gene with his black clothes before learning to teasing the audience with his own act.
Born on 6 February 1941 as David Grundy he played with his band was The Cruisers
Little Things, Mama, Memphis Tennessee, and the dutch hit This Strange Effect were his best know songs

Joe Cocker

Born in Sheffield 20 May 1944, as Vance Arnold and the Avengers they played R&B around the Sheffield clubs before achieving international fame with Joe’s distinctive gravelly voice.
As well as 25 albums over a 40 year career Joe recorded and had success with “With a Little Help from My Friends”
• “Woman to Woman”
• “The Jealous Kind”
• “Black-Eyed Blues”
• “Cry Me a River
• “You Are So Beautiful”
• “Feelin’ Alright
• “Delta Lady”
Joe’s main musical influences were Ray Charles for the blues and Lonnie Donegan for the rock and skiffle.

Arthur Brown I am the god of hell fire and I bring you ….

Arthur Wilton from Whitby was the original singer with The Foundations before they built their own foundations on ‘Build me up buttercup’ and ‘Baby now that I’ve found you’
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown established Arthur Brown as the UK’s first Goth.
He still appears with The Crazy World fully electric lineup and the Hamburg Blues Band.
Born 24 June 1942 in Gothic Whitby and he was educated in Leeds

Kiki Dee

Bradford lass Kiki Dee was born Pauline Matthews, 6 March 1947 and she went and broke my heart. Don’t go doing it again.
The Fontana Years 1963-1968 was a compilation album prior to Kiki signing for Motown
Kiki was the first Brithish white singer to sign for the Motown record label ‘Love Makes The World Go Round: The Motown Years’
Kiki began as a backing vocalist for Dusty Springfield and shared Dusty’s manager, Vic Billings.

The Early Clubbers

Jimmy Corrigan impressario and founder of the Batley Variety Club
Peter Stringfellow who ran Sheffield clubs, Black Cat, Mojo, King Mojo and the Esquire club
Jimmy Saville managed the Mecca Locarno in Leeds. At Radio Luxembourg he was a disk jockey and an early TV DJ. Born Leeds 31 October 1926 died 29 October 2011

Read about 1950′s Yorkshire Pop Musicians

Amazon Supply music, books, posters etc from these links

And Then Came Agadoo

And Then Came Agadoo from a large council estate in Wakefield

1950′s Yorkshire’s Pop Musicians

brian — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:09:26 +0000

The 1950′s was a great era for Yorkshire popular musicians before the American and Liverpudlian invasion of the 1960′s. Post war music was finding its own brand and style of entertainment that had moved on from big band and Jazz.
I have chosen 4 Yorkshire born figures to highlight the spectrum of new entertainment as we moved from 78′s to 45′s and radio to television as a medium for appreciating Pop music although we hadn’t started to call it that.

David Whitfield 2 February 1925 — 16 January 1980

David from Hull has a career that predated and ran through the rock and roll era. As a performer he was more old fashioned that the other Yorkshire born performers we are looking at.

Cara Mea, The Rudder and the Rock ‘The Book’ and ‘My September Love’ were some of the ballads and songs that won him fame. He had 2 number ones and many other top ten hits

He recorded for Decca, earned the first UK gold disc by a male vocalist and was the first Brit to sell a million copies of one record in USA

David entered the talent contest ‘Opportunity Knocks’ when it was a radio show on Radio Luxembourg and was quite a hit. Hughie Green then helped him get more bookings that eventually led to 3 Royal command performances. The 1954 Royal Command Performance included Bob Hope, Frankie Howerd, Guy Mitchell, Norman Wisdom, Dickie Valentine, Max Bygraves, Frankie Laine, Howard Keel, The Crazy Gang, Joan Turner, Jack Buchanan, Al Read, Jimmy Wheeler, Richard Hearne, Gladys Cooper and David Whitfield.

Sadly David died whilst touring and performing in Australia in 1980 when aged 54.

Ronnie Hilton 26 January 1926 – 21 February 2001

“No Other Love” was his one and only UK Number One hit in 1956 but ‘The Wonder of You’ sold well in 1959 only to be topped in 1970 by the Elvis Presley version

Ronnie covered the ballads of many American singers including Perry Como, Bing Crosby and Johnny Mathis

Ronnie Hilton took part in the inaugural A Song For Europe contest in 1957 with “For Your Love”. He also appeared in three subsequent Royal Variety Command Performances.

Ronnie’s last chart entry was in 1965. ‘Windmill In Old Amsterdam’ took him away from the romantic ballads of his earlier years.

A true Yorkshireman born in Hull but brought up in Leeds, Ronnie Hilton always remained loyal to his roots and especially to Leeds United

Don Lang 19 January 1925 – 3 August 1992

Together with his band the Frantic Five they recorded “School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell)” Rock a billy and Witch Doctor in 1957.

The theme tune of Six Five Special was performed by Don.

Rock and Roll Blues and Sweet Sue were solo records for Don.

Don was born in Halifax as Gordon Langhorn and was an accomplished jazz and session musician.

Later in his career Don Lang played trombone on the Beatles White Abbey album

Marion Ryan 4 February 1931 – 15 January 1999

From 1956 Middlesbrough born lass Marion was the regular singer on Spot that Tune a TV programme that morphed into name that tune with Ted Ray

Working part time at the Locarno in Leeds she met and made her debut with Ray Ellington.

Marion had twin sons, Barry and Paul Ryan who also had musical careers including the hit ‘Eloise’

Her top records included “Hot Diggity” and “Why Do Fools Fall in Love”

Yorkshire did its bit for entertainment in the 1950′s contributing the music of these artists to radio shows like Two Way Family Favourites. Then along came TV and shows like Six Five Special, Oh Boy, Dig, and Juke Box Jury the theme tune for which was written and performed by another Yorkshireman, John Barry.

Amazon Supply music, books, posters etc from these links

David Whitfield
Ronnie Hilton
Don Lang
Marion Ryan

Read more about Yorkshire’s 1960s Music and Club Scene

Yorkshire Rocks – Musically

brian — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:30:31 +0000

When we say Yorkshire Rocks we are not talking about Brimham Rocks or the Cow and Calf.
No we are talking about Rock Up and Sing.

Rock Up and Sing

This is a Yorkshire choir with a difference. ‘ROCK UP’ is unlike any other choir in Yorkshire. The organisers say it is for ‘those people who want to be a part of a choir but dislike the exclusivity that often comes along with it. There is no auditioning for ROCK UP and no need to read music and no previous experience is necessary.’
Rock Up has the reputation of singing some modern classics of Rock, Motown and Gospel. I am waiting for them to tackle the Kaiser Chiefs’ Ruby Ruby but they sing Cold Plays’s Viva la Vida and also perform I’ll Stand by You; Don’t Stop me Now; Pinball Wizard;Lean on me; He ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother, Oh Happy Day and U2′s One!
I doubt they will be singing the Arctic Monkeys’‘Fluorescent Adolescent’ or ‘I bet You look Good on the Dance Floor’, any time soon but you never know.
Last year Rock Up performed at The Royal Albert Hall but if you keep your eyes on Harrogate venues you will find local performance.

Following the success of Rock Up a spin off sister choir for ladies (or sisters) was established. It was named Rock Up and Swing with the focus on music and songs of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.

Contact Details

The Rock Up and Sing web site has more information
THE ROCK UP ROOM, UNIT 32,CLARO COURT, CLARO ROAD, HARROGATE, HG1 4BA
Rehearsal times
ROCK UP AND SING! JUST FOR GIRLS – TUESDAY 7:30pm- 9:30pm
ROCK UP AND SING! – THURSDAY 7:30pm-9:30pm
ROCK UP AND SWING! – WEDNESDAY 12:45pm-2:45 pm
Rhiannon Gayle is the musical director of this Harrogate based choir.
There are over 300 members

Other Yorkshire Choirs from British Choirs on the net

Abbey Belles, Selby, North Yorkshire
Abbeydale Singers
Accord Singers, West Yorkshire
Aire Valley Singers, Shipley, W Yorkshire
All For One Choir, Yorkshire
All Saints Church Choir, Waltham, Grimsby, South Yorkshire: e-mail only: contact Adam

Alverton Singers, Northallerton, N Yorkshire
Amici Singers, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Anston Male Voice Choir, Rotherham, S. Yorkshire
Ascension Choir, Whxiley, North Yorkshire: e-mail only: contact Julie MacDermott

Lissett Village Choir, Lissett, East Riding of Yorkshire: e-mail only: contact Eddiee Bartram
Main Street Sound, York
Marsh Ladies Choir, Marsh, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Marske Fishermen’s Choir, Teesmouth, N Yorkshire
Merrie City Singers, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Mexborough Male Voice Choir, South Yorkshire
Micklegate Singers, York
Millegro York Contemporary Choir
Millhouse Green Male Voice Choir, Penistone, Sheffield
Mixed Voices, Leeds
Moornotes, Ilkley, West Yorkshire
New Direction, Leeds e-mail only: contact newdirection25@gmail.com
New Mill Male Voice Choir, Holmfirth, Yorkshire
North Leeds Singers, W. Yorkshire: e-mail only: contact Oliver Wiggins
North Yorkshire Chorus
Noteworthy Women, Baildon, West Yorkshire
Otley Choral Society, W Yorkshire
Overgate Hospice Choir, Halifax, W. Yorkshire
Pennine Chimes, Bradford, W Yorkshire
Pinsuti (lkley Chamber Choir) Yorkshire
Pontefract Choral Society, West Yorkshire
Richmondshire Choral Society, Richmond, North Yorkshire
Ripon Cathedral Choir, N Yorkshire
Ripon Choral Society, N Yorkshire
Rock Up and Sing, Harrogate, Yorkshire
Rodillian Singers, W Yorkshire
Rudgate Singers, York
St. Austin’s Church Choir, Wakefield, West Yorkshire: e-mail only: contact Patrick Ganley
St Mary’s Festival Choir, Nunthorpe-in-Cleveland
St Olave’s Church Choir, York
St Paulinus Singers, Ripon, North Yorkshire
St. Peter’s Consort, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
St Peters Singers of Leeds, W Yorkshire
St Raphael Singers, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Serenade, Hull, East Yorkshire: e-mail only: contact Choir Director
Sheffield Bach Society
Sheffield Cathedral Choir
Sheffield Chorale
Sheffield Folk Chorale
Sheffield Ladies’ Barbershop Harmony Chorus
Sheffield Oratorio Chorus, Yorkshire
Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, Yorkshire
Sheffield Socialist Choir, Yorkshire
Skelldale Singers Community Choir, Ripon, North Yorks: e-mail only: contact Liz Linfoot
Snaith & District Choral Society, E Yorkshiree-mail only: contact Chris Rey
Soon Amore, York, Yorkshire
SOSA-XA! (Sounds of Southern Africa), Sheffield, Yorkshire
Stamford Bridge Singers, E Yorkshire
Staxton Singers, Scarborough
Steeton Male Voice Choir, Yorkshire
Sterndale Singers, Sheffield
Stokesley & District Choral Society: e-mail only: contact Secretary
String of Beads, Bramley, Leeds, West Yorkshiree-mail only: contact String of Beads
Swale Singers, Swaledale, North Yorkshire
Szczepek Ensemble, York
Teesside Apollo Male Voice Choir, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Thornton Vocal Union, Bradford, West Yorkshire: e-mail only: contact Thornton Vocal Union
United Voices Concert Choir, Bradford, West Yorkshire
University of Sheffield Singers’ Society
Viva Voce, Sheffield
Vivacity Choir, Sheffield
Vocal Expressions, Holmfirth, W. Yorkshire
Vocalis, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Wakefield Cathedral Choir, W Yorkshire
Wakefield Community Gospel Choir, W Yorkshire
Wakefield Festival Chorus, W Yorkshire
Warrington Male Voice Choir
Wetherby Choral Society, Yorkshire
White Rosettes, Leeds, W. Yorkshire
Worrall Male Voice Choir, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
York Cantores, York, North Yorkshire
York Glee Singers (University of York)
York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir
York Musical Society, York, North Yorkshire
York Rose Singers, North Yorkshire
York University Choir
Yorkshire Bach Choir, York
Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir, Wakefield, West Yorkshire

York Mystery Plays Your Chance to Visit 2012

brian — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:17:53 +0000

What are the Mystery Plays

The York Mystery Plays are a medieval cycle of the greatest stories ever told from Creation to the Last Judgment. These plays have been performed by the people of York across the centuries.
They are gaining an international reputation on the scale of the Oberammergau passion plays.
In summer 2012, the biblical stories will be retold in a way that resonates with both past and present and appeals to those of religious faith or none.
The plays will be performed in a covered outdoor theatre in the Museum Garden St Mary’s Abbey from 2-27th August 2012
Over 1000 local people will help 28,000 visitors and attendees enjoy the plays that were last on show in 2000
York Mystery Plays are a magnificent example of medieval drama. Using the colourful language of medieval Yorkshire the plays are made up of a number of individual pageants originally presented by the Guilds of Craftsmen for more info read York Mystery Plays

Patrons for 2012

HRH Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, Dame Judi Dench, Harry Gration and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, have been announced as patrons of York Mystery Plays 2012.
The Duke of York said: “Having witnessed the enthusiasm and energy created by the York Mystery Plays in 2000, I am delighted to learn that the Plays will be returning to the city in August 2012 and I am honoured to be a patron. I have been impressed by the scale and ambition of the project and how new partnerships have been formed between organisations and businesses across the city. “I am looking forward to seeing for myself what will surely be one of the cultural highlights of 2012.”
The Archbishop says’This is a very exciting project and will provide a wonderful spectacle for the city. As you prepare to tell the story of God at work in Creation and Redemptions, I pray that you will be inspired by majesty of the story, and that others in turn will be encouraged in faith and hope.’

York 2012

You will already know York is a great place to visit for a day trip or prolonged stay.
The Mystery Plays provide another attractive reason to visit during August 2012
Locals and visitors can book tickets now from this link

Smokie Gets in Your Ears

brian — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:50:13 +0000

Do you sometimes end up with a song going around in your head for ages? Well join the club, the Smokie fan club in this case.

Smokie Facts and History

The original members, Terry Uttley, Alan Silson and Chris Norman shared the playground together at St. Bedes Grammar School in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Their other musical incarnation included groups called The Yen, The Sphynx Kindness and The Elisabethans .
During the 1970′s they had hits with If You Think You Know How To Love Me, Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll To Me, Living Next Door To Alice, Mexican girl and Oh Carol.
As with many groups they then had a lengthy lay off.
‘It was the local Yorkshire Musician John Verity who was responsible for the re-birth of ‘Smokie’ back in 1986. The Bradford City Football Club had just suffered one of the worst disasters in sporting history when the club’s main stand caught fire during a match with considerable loss of life. A relief fund for relatives was set up in Bradford and because of their local connections, John Verity invited Smokie to reform for a one-off benefit concert. The concert was a huge success not only for the relief fund but also for Smokie personally.’
Smokie are currently on tour in the Ukraine and are well worth seeing when they return to perform in Yorkshire.

Apologies if the You Tube gets on your nerves.

See the exciting new Logo Board game for Christmas 2011

Nostalgia is Bigger Than It Used To Be

brian — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 10:35:01 +0000

Nostalgia is big business and isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. Alan Titchmarsh has latched on to the trend with his BBC book ‘When I was a Nipper’ available from amazon as paperback or hardback.

Why Nostalgia is Getting Bigger

The baby boomers are enjoying life and there are a lot of them around.
Old music acts from the 60′s and 70′s are touring and performing in ever growing numbers. I saw one of the Dubliners on a zimmer frame at St Georges Hall Bradford last year!
Discretionary spending on nostalgia increases year on year. Collecting memorabilia, old pottery, and modern antiques has been promoted by lifestyle programmes on TV.
Family tree compilation and ancestor research has joined the list of popular hobbies.
Themed holidays and a greater number of museums and local attractions based on nostalgia proliferate.
There is a demand for nostalgia because times were good. The supply of nostalgia based products, services and media is aimed at satisfying the demand.

Yorkshire Nostalgia

The Railway Children is running again in a live performance at Waterloo Station

Heartbeat of Aidensfield fame may have ceased production but it is still running on digital TV channels and dvds. How long before we are nostalgic for analogue TV?
Another show that runs and runs is the Last of the Summer Wine. I can even get nostalgic for the reruns!
If you want to keep up with nostalgia you can do a lot worse than read The Dalesman

Wiig to Wed – Bridesmaids Needed

brian — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 05:43:31 +0000

Beverley Minster could be the location for the PR media frenzy that will be the luvvies wedding of the century. It could alternatively be the name of one of the Bridesmaids when Kirsten Wiig weds. Mother Shipton would be the Maid of Honour and other bridesmaid contenders could include Victoria Cave, Adel Church, Burton Agnes Hall, Greta Bridge, Jet Whitby, or even Rose Berry-Topping.

Bridesmaids The Movie

Wiig is the creator and actress who wrote the script for Bridesmaids a new, potentially cult comedy currently being previewed in cinemas around Yorkshire.

Why a PR media frenzy you may be asking. Well the publicity budget seems to exceed the script writing by a factor of at least several. The script was pulled together by Kirsten Wiig in six days but it will take you that long to read the bumph that has been put out about the new film.

Released in America two months ago it has already grossed three times the cost of production which was said to be ‘ a modest £32 million’. (That must be one of the modest one liners from the comedy)

The cast includes Wendi Mclendon-Covey, Rose Byrne. Mellisa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph and Ellie Kemper as well as Wiigi.

Rotten Tomatoes the film review consolidator says “A marriage of genuine characters, gross out gags, and pathos, Bridesmaids is a female-driven comedy that refuses to be boxed in as Kristen Wiig emerges as a real star”. 90% of reviewers are posative and 86% of the audience enjoy the lime (sorry film).

The worst quote I read was ‘… a surprisingly poignant evocation of self-scuppering loneliness.’ Sukhdev Sandhu & David Gritten. Do not let that put you off seeing the film.

David Hockney Bradford Tree Painter

brian — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:12:35 +0000

This representation of David Hockney’s work reflects many of his interests and insights.
His mother Laura is the central theme as she remained throughout her life.
The photo-collage method was created in the 1980 whist David was touring America and his collages of the Grand Canyon and Zion Canyon, Utah are on display at Salts Mill Saltaire.
These collages challenge conventional ways of looking at art and are just one of the innovations David has brought to the public’s attention. David has been keen to engage with his audiences in colourful and communicative ways.

Mini Biography

Born in Bradford on 9th July 1937 of Bradford parents.
‘From an early age David Hockney had a desire to be an artist. At the age of 11 he won a scholarship to Bradford Grammar school. In the
first year he purposefully came last in the form so that he would be able to study art – (reserved for non academic boys)
At the age of 16, he was able to leave and devote himself to art. He studied at the Bradford School of Art then The Royal College of Art in London.’
He was a conscientious objector during national service.
His brother Paul Hockney was one time Lord Mayor of Bradford.
After London life, post college David moved to New York and then Santa Monica in California where he produced much of his Oeuvre including swimming pool series and paintings of lithe young men.

Current Works

Hockney’s largest painting, ‘Bigger Trees Near Warter’, which measures 15′x40′, was hung in the Royal Academy’s largest gallery in their annual Summer Exhibition 2007. It is currently on display at York Art Gallery until 12 June 2011.
The work is the largest David has produced and “is a monumental-scale view of a coppice in Hockney’s native Yorkshire, between Bridlington and York. It was painted on 50 individual canvases, mostly working in situ, over five weeks last winter.”
In 2008, he donated this work to the Tate Gallery in London, saying: “I thought if I’m going to give something to the Tate I want to give them something really good. It’s going to be here for a while. I don’t want to give things I’m not too proud of…I thought this was a good painting because it’s of England…it seems like a good thing to do” The Times

Other Hockney Bits

Hockney’s Garrow Hill is a depiction of the rolling Yorkshire Moors, streams and patchwork fields. It will be used at the Chelsea Flowers show by Kate Dundas and Esther Kilner as the inspiration for there garden exhibit 2011.

Art in Yorkshire is a year long celebration in 19 galleries throughout Yorkshire of works from the Tate collections.

The Hockney Gallery in Saltaire has many works on display and a large range of products available to purchase. I particularly like the early opera sets on the top floor.

Me Draw on i-pad is an exhibition in Humblebaek Denmark until 28 August 2011

Sources

Biography on line
Picture from memaporg on flickr under creative commons license Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic
David Hockney official web site with current projects
Hockney Rebel