Jump to content

David Austin (singer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from David Mortimer)

David Austin
Birth nameDavid Mortimer
OriginUnited Kingdom
GenresPop
Occupations
Formerly ofBoogie 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]
  1. ^ Ridgeley 2019, p. 233
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ "'Everybody warmed to George Michael' - manager on life with the singer". BBC. 13 March 2019.
  4. ^ a b Tannenbaum, Rob (21 June 2022). "George Michael Preferred Music to Fame. The Doc He Made Does, Too". The New York Times.
  5. ^ "Smash Hits". EMAP. 30 August 1984. p. 29. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  6. ^ "David Austin – This Boy Loves The Sun". Discogs. 1984. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  7. ^ "New documentary gives rare look into personal life of George Michael". ABC News.
  8. ^ "David Austin – Love While You Can". Discogs. February 1984. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  9. ^ Ridgeley 2019, p. 85, 87
  10. ^ 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]