Chris Difford
Chris Difford | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Christopher Henry Difford |
Born | Greenwich, London, England | 4 November 1954
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, record producer, singer |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
Website | chrisdifford.com |
Christopher Henry Difford (born 4 November 1954)[1] is an English musician. He is a founding member and songwriter of the rock group Squeeze.
Early life
Difford was born in Greenwich, London, on 4 November 1954, the youngest of three sons. His mother, Isabel (née Hamilton) was from Northern Ireland and met Difford's father Sidney Lewis Difford (1919–2001) while he was stationed in Belfast during World War II.[2]
Music career
Difford has written lyrics for over 50 years, most notably in partnership with
After the break-up of Squeeze in 1983, Difford continued writing songs for artists such as
In March 2010, Difford curated Songs in the Key of London, an evening of music dedicated to the capital at the Barbican Centre, London.[11]
In 2017, he published his autobiography, Some Fantastic Place: My Life In and Out of Squeeze.
Since 2014, he has been running the annual Chris Difford Songwriting Retreat, under the auspices of the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation,[12] providing an opportunity for artists to collaborate with one another to write new songs and create new friendships in a relaxed setting in the English countryside.[13]
In August 2021, Difford launched a podcast series, I Never Thought It Would Happen, with the charity Help Musicians, a charity he is an ambassador for, speaking to guests including Sting, Robbie Williams and KT Tunstall about the highs and lows of life in music. [14]
Personal life
Difford was raised in Greenwich. He lived in New York with his first wife and their two children. He then lived in
Solo discography
- I Didn't Get Where I Am, 2003
- South East Side Story, 2007
- The Last Temptation of Chris, 2008
- Cashmere if You Can, 2011, (SMMC Media SMMC1)
- Fancy Pants (with Boo Hewerdine), 2016 (Obvious Productions)
- Let's Be Combe Avenue (Demos 1972), 2017 (Edsel Records – EDSL 0017)
- Chris To... The Mill, 2017 (Compilation)
- Pants, 2018
References
- ^ "Chris Difford". Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ISBN 9781474605694. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- BBC Radio Four.
- AllMusic. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
- ^ "Elton John – The Duets Collection". Discogs.com. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "Wet Wet Wet – The Little Picture". Discogs.com. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "The Duke". Thedukedeptford.com. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "Difford and Tilbrook – UK Charts". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "Chris Difford". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ Duerden, Nick (20 February 2008). "Chris Difford: It's a bit of a Squeeze". The Independent. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
- ^ Green, Thomas H (10 March 2010). "Songs in the Key of London at the Barbican, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation". Tbhef.org. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ "Chris Difford Songwriting Retreat". Tbhef.org. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ "I Never Thought It Would Happen". Spotify. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ "Magic Summer Live: An interview with Chris Difford". Essentialsurrey.co.uk. 8 July 2013. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
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