A chance to meet the UK’s best known music journalists and broadcasters for an evening of entertaining stories and anecdotes…
How an evening with David Hepworth and Mark Ellen ended up in Wareham?
After our successful evening with Bob Harris and Colin Hall’s ‘The Songs the Beatles Gave Away’ last year we have been on the lookout for another music-themed evening for our next Love It Local event in Wareham.
What then could be better than two more BBC Old Grey Whistle Test presenters – David Hepworth and Mark Ellen?!
Having been a fan of their entertaining podcast ‘A Word In Your Ear’, we thought it would be great to invite them both to Wareham for 2025. A quick zoom meeting later we found by a strange coincidence that David and Mark were also thinking of producing a live event they could tour with. Hence Love It Local will be presenting the world premier of an evening with David Hepworth and Mark Ellen – ‘A One Man Show’!
Grandees of British music writing and broadcasting...
David Hepworth and Mark Ellen have been writing and broadcasting about music since the 1970’s and are two of the most recognised figures in music journalism. They first came together in the early 1980’s on the magazine Smash Hits. Between them they have written, edited and even launched many of the most eminent pop-culture magazines in the UK including Mojo, Q and The Word.
They have also presented the BBC’s legendary music programme, ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ in the early ’80s, and were both anchors for the BBC’s Live Aid coverage in 1985.
Tony Blair and Oxford University
Interestingly one of Ellen’s other claims to fame is that he briefly played bass alongside Tony Blair in the band Ugly Rumours during his Oxford University days!
Live Aid and Band Aid
Live Aid is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025. David and Mark were presenters for the BBC’s coverage of the event. So you can expect to here some interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes from them during the evening!
Bob Geldof didn't say 'Give us your f...ing money'!
Another interesting fact is that David Hepworth was the presenter who was with Bob Geldof when he famously swore live on air on the BBC that day. However, David is also able to correct the popular myth that Geldof said ‘Give us your f…ing money’. In fact it was whilst David was giving out the address to send money that Geldof actually butted in to say ‘F… the address’, which as David said was ‘quite a moment’!
'Feed the Welsh!' ??
Mark Ellen was also one of the few reporters allowed into the studios during the Band Aid recording of the single ‘Feed the World’ (which also celebrated its 40th last year). He has some great stories from that day – such as Francis Rossi, lead singer of Status Quo who told him that he thought it was ‘weird’ that everyone was singing a chorus of ‘Feed the Welsh’!
Established authors
Mark Ellen has written regular features for many well known publications including The Times, Guardian, Elle, Marie Clare, New Statesman and Private Eye. In May 2014, he published his autobiographical book, ‘Rock Stars Stole My Life: A big bad love affair with music’, described by Bob Geldof as ‘brilliant’, ‘I cried laughing, literally tears’ and as ‘Hilariously Indiscreet’ by The Times newspaper.
David Hepworth is also an well established author, with nine published books. His 1971 book ‘Never A Dull Moment: Rock’s Golden Year’ was adapted into an Apple TV documentary mini series in 2021. His latest book ‘Hope I get old before I die. Why Rock Stars Never Retire’ has been described as ‘his best yet’. The Sunday Times described his ‘knowledge and understanding of rock history’ as ‘prodigious’
A ‘Word in Your Ear’ Podcast
Since 2006 David and Mark have published a regular podcast called ‘ Word in Your Ear’. The show is considered by many of their fans to be a follow on from The Word magazine (which stopped publication in 2012).
The Podcast features interviews from a number of musicians, journalists and broadcasters. According to GQ magazine they are ‘the best informed music podcasters around’
From The Beatles to Lady Gaga!
What will ‘A One Man Show’ be about?
David and Mark sharing their some 80 years (between them) of rock and pop industry knowledge! During the ‘One Man Show’ they will tell some fascinating tales with a good helping of humour as well! Discover the insider stories about the The Beatles to Lady Gaga! And find out about their first hand encounters with your favourite musical icons as well as a few fly-by-nights!
The evening will end with a daft audience participation pop quiz, which proves the pair have always been able to see the funny side of the music business!
A One Man Show with David Hepworth and Mark Ellen will be at the Priory Church of Lady St Mary on Friday 4th April from 7.30 pm (doors open at 6.45 pm. Tickets from £18.00 – £22.00.
You can buy them online now or at A.F. Joys in Wareham
