Patrick Humphries

Patrick Humphries began his writing life as a “hip young gunslinger” on New Musical Express back in the last century. He then went on staff at Melody Maker and Vox.  Back then, freelancing was a warm, welcoming and paid place to be. Pre-internet Patrick wrote for The Observer, The Guardian, Daily Mail, Evening Standard and Sunday Express.

He also contributed to New Music News, The History Of Rock, Record Collector, Mojo, GQ. Over the years he has interviewed Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Art Garfunkel, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Neil Tennant, Cher, Ian Dury, Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Gary Brooker, Richard Thompson, Nick Mason, Sandy Denny, Roger Waters, Viv Stanshall, Tom Waits, Al Stewart Leonard Cohen... Oh, and the three surviving Beatles

Patrick’s first book was Meet On The Ledge: A History Of Fairport Convention. Since then he has had published well received biographies of Paul Simon, Tom Waits, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Elton John. Patrick’s was the first-ever full-length biography of Nick Drake and the only-ever authorized Richard Thompson biography.

When it was all green fields round here, Patrick broadcast regularly on BBC Radio 1, 2, 4, 6 Music and World Service. He wrote and was known to present documentaries for the Beeb on Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Elton John, the Bee Gees, Beach Boys and Bob Dylan. Patrick has been Dylan fan since 1965 when he first heard 'Mr Tambourine Man' (but thought it was by Donovan). Bob brushed against him at the Hearts Of Fire press conference. He later learned that if you bump into Bob at a social occasion, do not offer him bottled Guinness.

Patrick's latest book, With The Beatles will be published by Great Northern Books in August 2024, based on his interviews with Paul, George & Ringo.