Quintessentially English- Interview With Dr David English. Feature: Stephanie Lynne Thorburn.

Bill Wyman, Eric Clapton and David English- EC X1 Match at Ripley Court School, August 2003. Photo Credit: Keith Curtis.

2008-02-25 12:43:17 - Approaching David English's house at Yuletide 2007 resembled a chapter from ‘Little House On The Prairie'. Amongst the relatively remote farmland of Moat End, North London stands a property punctuated by a Bunbury bunny at the front gate. On closer investigation, as I tapped the slightly suggestive door knob I was greeted by a very special and congenial philanthropist, Mr English himself, fresh from the spoils of his highly eventful 21st Anniversary Bunbury's season.

As many previous journalists have noted, exploring the very heart of this property reveals a fascinating warren of rooms, loosely connected by the key themes of David's personal biography. The fruits of his labours are reflected in the multi faceted paper communications currently undertaken tirelessly on a daily basis with sponsors, sportsmen and musical celebrities alike that carpet the living room. The ephemera of this remarkable life line the walls and furniture with timely reminders of David's formative career spent as President of RSO Records in form of Derek and the Dominos promos. Indeed, the conversation was a rewarding and aerobic exercise as Dr. Dave related his latent passions regarding a series of as yet unrealised dreams and visions, encapsulating his ambition to continue to contribute to the greater good of society through an amalgamation of sport and charity. Promising morsels included a reassurance that David English has apparently already secured some sublime fixtures for the forthcoming cricketing season. Many further treats would seem likely including an annual rendezvous for the Bunburys as the new incumbents of Grosvenor House Hotel's Great function room. In 2007, we have only just seen the likes of Ian Botham, David Gower and Devon Malcolm, rubbing shoulders with Bill Wyman and Eric Clapton, all of whom were entertained by Robin Gibb's house band for the Bunbury's 21st Anniversary bash at The Grosvenor. Let's find out a little more first hand about the many lives and loves of Dr David English!

Part I. ‘Confessions Of A Dedicated Englishman'. The RSO Years- Eric Clapton and The Bee Gees.

David English: We're doing this interview the night after Led Zeppelin have just performed and the world is going mad about Zeppelin! I remember Jimmy Page when he played with Eric and Jeff Beck in The Yardbirds. I feel very lucky that I grew up when I did, when the music was really fantastic, Wardour Street and Denmark Street. Now it's very sad, it's not the same and all the record companies have been bought up and so there are only two or three left. In the old days there was RCA, Warner Brothers and now business is bad and very budget conscious. When I was around people seemed quite happy and music was a great relief, but now it's pop idol and the lawyers and accountants run it..

Q: Well, indeed I did want to begin the interview by reflecting on the musical side to your recent autobiography ‘Confessions Of A Dedicated Englishman,' regarding your time as President of RSO from 1973. You took a key role in building Robert Stigwood's RSO to the world's No 1 independent record company. You must be proud of your part in that journey?

David English: First of all I have massive love and affection for Robert Stigwood. It was extraordinary how I got the job as you know, from nowhere I was asked to go and see him and from the moment I met him, I was consumed by his magnetism and his generosity of spirit in giving young people a chance. For instance, all the dancers in Jesus Chris Superstar or Joseph, all kids out of Drama College and Robert always gave them a chance. I was 26 when I was made President of RSO Records, Robert said, 'you're the one who's going to run it'. I wasn't a bad front man- Robert's business acumen and my ability to work personally and sense the artists who were right seemed to work. It was his vision that was lucky and when I did meet Robin, Barry, Mo and Eric it was an RSO family built on a love of the man himself, Robert. For a man who helped so many careers he is so unassuming, yet unless you are in the business people just know that he did Grease, Saturday Night Fever and the fruits of his endeavour, but they don't know the man himself. The man himself was a really great chap who was sharp and gave all us young people a chance-

Full feature Vibe Chic eZine Part 1: -

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Part 2: -
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This interview can be found in the Bunbury cricket 2008 brochure. For more information on the Bunbury's and the forthcoming seasons fixtures, please visit: - www.bunburycricket.com