One of the greatest songwriters of all time, Roger Cook ‘the man of 1000 hits’, talks to Jason Barnard about key tracks from his 50 year career.
- The Fortunes – You’ve Got Your Troubles (Single A-side, Decca, 1965)
- David and Jonathan – Michelle (Single A-side, Columbia, 1966)
- David and Jonathan – Lovers Of The World Tonight (Single A-side, Columbia, 1966)
- David and Jonathan – Softly Whispering I Love You (Single A-side, Columbia, 1967)
- Gene Pitney – Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart (Single A-side, Columbia, 1967)
- Deep Purple – Hallelujah (Single A-side, Harvest, 1969)
- Blue Mink – Melting Pot (Single A-side, Philips, 1969)
- White Plains – My Baby Loves Lovin’ (Single A-side, Deram, 1970)
- Blue Mink – The Banner Man (Single A-side, Regal Zonophone, 1971)
- The New Seekers – I’d Like To Teach The World Too Sing (In Perfect Harmony) (Single A-side, Polydor, 1971)
- Roger James Cooke – Today I Killed A Man I Didn’t Know (Single A-side, Columbia (Sweden), 1970)
- Roger James Cooke – Skyline Pigeon (Single A-side, Columbia, 1968)
- Cilla Black – Something Tells Me (Something’s Gonna Happen Tonight) (Single A-side, Parlophone, 1971)
- The Hollies – Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress (Single A-side, Parlophone, 1972)
- The Hollies – Gasoline Alley Bred (Single A-side, Parlophone, 1970)
- Roger Cook – Beautiful Memories (Alright, Warner Brothers, 1976)
- Marmalade – Talking In Your Sleep (Single A-side, Target, 1978)
- Don Williams – I Believe In You (Single A-side, MCA, 1980)
- John Prine – I Just Want To Dance With You (German Afternoons, Oh Boy, 1986)
- Galen Crew – Sleepyhead (Acoustic Daydreams, Galen Crew, 2012)
In the biggest Strange Brew ever, Roger shares the stories behind his classic songs plus tracks he recorded in David and Jonathan, Blue Mink and solo.
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Hi Roger,I well remember,you would play the new song for us on your little 4 string,(Fortunes)in your offices(I think Mayfair).Whenever it’s a Sunday,Baby By the Way,and,Something tells me(Cilla),great talent,so pleased to have been a small part in your illustrious career.When I joined ‘The Rockin’ Berries,we recorded ‘Talking in Your Sleep’on a covers album.Always loved the’Crystal Gayle’ version.Lovely to see you still singing /writing,great video of you with your band(Country one)Keep well Roger,Sincere regards. george.
Loved hearing this interview, Roger Cook has always been my favourite singer since Blue Mink days, I just wish he had made more solo albums. It would have been good to have heard a track from Meanwhile Back At The World which is still my favourite album. I met Roger once with Blue Mink in the studio at the start of 1974, unfortunately they broke up soon after, but the music is often on my stereo and in my car. I went to Nashville last year in August and it would have been good to find him, but I had no idea where to start. Still Nashville has a really good vibe about it and I can understand why a songwriter would want to move there. It would be great if there was a new album. By the way, did Roger have a bad cold that day, or is he just much older now, as I am too??!!
Ruth