David Austin (singer)
David Austin | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | David Mortimer |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupations | |
| Formerly of | Boogie Box High |
David Austin (born David Mortimer[1] on 14 July 1962) is a British singer and songwriter, who released the single "Turn to Gold", co-written with George Michael in 1984. It reached No. 68 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] The single featured backing vocals from Michael, who called Austin his best friend in the documentary film, A Different Story.[3]
Austin was born to Irish parents. His father manufactured trumpets and other instruments for the British music company Boosey & Hawkes. By the age of six, Austin had learned to use a Revox recording machine and recorded several songs with Michael, including Crocodile Rock by Elton John, Wig Wam Bam by the Sweet—Michael’s favorite band—and their first co-written original, The Music Maker of the World.[4]
His follow-up single, "This Boy Loves the Sun", was released in the late summer of 1984[5] but did not chart.[6][7]
A third single, "Love While You Can" was released only in Japan. This also featured uncredited vocals by Michael.[8]
Formerly busking partners,[9] Austin and Michael's joint work included the download-only single "John and Elvis Are Dead", their biggest hit "You Have Been Loved" and "Look at Your Hands" from the album Faith. "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)" was a Christmas single released by Michael and Austin together on 14 December 2009.[4]
He appears as a guitarist in Wham!'s video for the song "The Edge of Heaven".[10]
References
[edit]- ^ Ridgeley 2019, p. 233
- ^ Rice, Tim; Rice, Jonathan; Gambaccini, Paul (1990), Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness World Records and Guinness Publishing, ISBN 0-85112-398-8
- ^ "'Everybody warmed to George Michael' - manager on life with the singer". BBC. 13 March 2019.
- ^ a b Tannenbaum, Rob (21 June 2022). "George Michael Preferred Music to Fame. The Doc He Made Does, Too". The New York Times.
- ^ "Smash Hits". EMAP. 30 August 1984. p. 29. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "David Austin – This Boy Loves The Sun". Discogs. 1984. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "New documentary gives rare look into personal life of George Michael". ABC News.
- ^ "David Austin – Love While You Can". Discogs. February 1984. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ Ridgeley 2019, p. 85, 87
- ^ Tannenbaum, Rob (29 June 2023). "Andrew Ridgeley on George Michael's favorite subject (sex) and their group's end: 'Wham! couldn't age'". Los Angeles Times.
Sources
[edit]- Ridgeley, Andrew (2019). Wham! George and Me. Michael Joseph. ISBN 9780241385807. OCLC 1130772805.
- Tannenbaum, Rob (21 June 2022). "George Michael Preferred Music to Fame. The Doc He Made Does, Too". The New York Times.
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