David Essex OBE (born David Albert Cook; 23 July 1947) is an English
singer, songwriter, and actor. Since the 1970s, he has attained 19 Top
40 singles in the UK (including two number ones) and 16 Top 40 albums.
Internationally, Essex had the most success with his 1973 single "Rock
On". He has also had an extensive career as an actor.Essex was born in
Plaistow, Essex (now a neighbourhood in the London Borough of Newham,
included within Greater London on 1 April 1965). His father, Albert,
was an East End docker and his mother, Olive (née Kemp), was a
self-taught pianist and an Irish Traveller. His grandfather, Thomas
Kemp, was nicknamed "Philimore", which was the anglicised version of
"Philly Mor" â€" being Irish for "Big Philly". Essex was two years old
when his parents moved out of the overcrowded home the family was
sharing with relatives, to Canning Town where he grew up.Essex
attended Star Lane Primary School. He loved playing football and did
not answer any of the questions in the Eleven plus exam for entry into
a grammar school, so that he could ensure he attended Shipman County
Secondary School where he knew they played the game. He was also a
member of West Ham United Juniors for a while, and dreamed of one day
being a professional player. He then also became interested in music
and played drums with a local band, before becoming a singer. In his
teens he moved to Marks Gate near Chadwell Heath and Romford in Essex.
singer, songwriter, and actor. Since the 1970s, he has attained 19 Top
40 singles in the UK (including two number ones) and 16 Top 40 albums.
Internationally, Essex had the most success with his 1973 single "Rock
On". He has also had an extensive career as an actor.Essex was born in
Plaistow, Essex (now a neighbourhood in the London Borough of Newham,
included within Greater London on 1 April 1965). His father, Albert,
was an East End docker and his mother, Olive (née Kemp), was a
self-taught pianist and an Irish Traveller. His grandfather, Thomas
Kemp, was nicknamed "Philimore", which was the anglicised version of
"Philly Mor" â€" being Irish for "Big Philly". Essex was two years old
when his parents moved out of the overcrowded home the family was
sharing with relatives, to Canning Town where he grew up.Essex
attended Star Lane Primary School. He loved playing football and did
not answer any of the questions in the Eleven plus exam for entry into
a grammar school, so that he could ensure he attended Shipman County
Secondary School where he knew they played the game. He was also a
member of West Ham United Juniors for a while, and dreamed of one day
being a professional player. He then also became interested in music
and played drums with a local band, before becoming a singer. In his
teens he moved to Marks Gate near Chadwell Heath and Romford in Essex.
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