Mike Hawker (songwriter)
Mike Hawker | |
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| Born | 29 November 1936 Bath, Somerset, England |
| Died | 4 May 2014 (aged 77) |
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Michael Edwin Hawker (29 November 1936 – 4 May 2014) was an English songwriter.
Biography
Born in
New Musical Express and Jazz Journal. He started working in the publicity department at EMI in the late 1950s, and then moved into promotion work with Larry Parnes.[1]
He started writing songs circa 1960, and linked up with composer
Ivor Novello award. He also co-wrote "I Only Want to Be with You" recorded by Dusty Springfield.[2][1][3]
Hawker married Jean Ryder of the Vernons Girls. He continued to write for many of the most successful girl singers of the early 1960s including Dusty Springfield, Susan Maughan and Jackie Trent with diminishing commercial success. In 1973, he co-wrote Cliff Richard's hit single "Help It Along", with Brian Bennett of the Shadows. He continued working in the London music business; among other successes discovering singer-songwriter Labi Siffre.[1]
He died in 2014, after protracted poor health.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Leigh, Spencer (10 July 2014). "Mike Hawker: Songwriter who won an Ivor Novello for 'Walkin' Back To Happiness', and also wrote for Dusty Springfield — Obituary". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ^ "Mike Hawker". www.discogs.com. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ^ "Mike Hawker — Obituary". The Telegraph. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
External links
- Mike Hawker obituary, M magazine
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