Geoff Stephens

Geoff Stephens (born October 1, 1934 in London ) is an English composer and songwriter who was one of the most prominent representatives of England in this field, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s.

Stevens was actually a teacher of French, English, sports and religion, but then took a job in an advertising agency in London. He also wrote a review and little sketches for the BBC.

When a music publisher was looking for an employee, Stephens applied and got a job as a composer.

In 1964 he wrote his first hit with Les Reed - “Tell Me When” for Applejacks (7th place UK ). "The Crying Game" for Dave Berry (1964 No. 5 UK) followed immediately .

Together with Peter Eden he discovered and managed Donovan , whose first three singles and first album he also produced.

In 1966 he wrote and composed the song "Winchester Cathedral" and landed with it a number one hit in the USA as well as leading hit parade listings for example. B. in England (4th place) and Germany (15th place). He founded the The New Vaudeville Band especially for this purpose . The band played in the style of the 20s, the lead singer nased like through a megaphone - and the international million seller was born. Lt. Stephens sings the specialist journalists Frank Laufenberg and Julia Edenhofer himself ("so that the whole thing would be as he had imagined it").

Together with John Carter he wrote the song "Semi-Detached Suburban Mr. James" for Manfred Mann , followed by Les Reed for Herman's Hermits "There's a kind of hush" , which later became an even greater success for the Carpenters .

In 2000 he received the Ivor Novello Award for his services as a British songwriter.

Further works as author or co-author:

Sorry Suzanne - The Hollies
Tears (won't wash away these heartaches) - Ken Dodd
Goodby Same, Hello Samantha - Cliff Richard
Daughter of Darkness - Tom Jones
Knock knock who's there - Mary Hopkin
The Lights of Cincinnati - Scott Walker
It's gonna be a cold cold Christmas - Dana
Like Sister and Brother - The Drifters
It's like we never said goodbye - Crystal Gayle
I'll put you together again - Hot Chocolate
Silver Lady - David Soul
You won't find another fool like me - The New Seekers

Web links

Geoff Stephens at Allmusic (English)

Individual evidence

↑ Herald, Bill. " 'Winchester Cathedral' tops the list of British Invasion one-hit-wonders" , The Examiner .
↑ According to the eventual lead singer John Carter , he did not use a megaphone, but sang through his cupped hands.
↑ Frank and Ingrid Laufenberg: Frank Laufenberg's Hit Lexicon of Rock and Pop. (in three volumes). Ullstein, Berlin 2007, ISBN 978-3-548-36920-4 .
↑ The great oldie lexicon. Bastei-Lübbe, Cologne 1991, ISBN 3-404-60288-9 .
^ PRS for Music (2014). 100 Years of British Music . London: Music Sales Limited.

personal data
SURNAME	Stephens, Geoff
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	English composer and songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH	October 1, 1934
PLACE OF BIRTH	London

[1] Herald, Bill. " 'Winchester Cathedral' tops the list of British Invasion one-hit-wonders" , The Examiner .

[2] According to the eventual lead singer John Carter , he did not use a megaphone, but sang through his cupped hands.

[3] Frank and Ingrid Laufenberg: Frank Laufenberg's Hit Lexicon of Rock and Pop. (in three volumes). Ullstein, Berlin 2007, ISBN 978-3-548-36920-4 .

[4] The great oldie lexicon. Bastei-Lübbe, Cologne 1991, ISBN 3-404-60288-9 .

[5] PRS for Music (2014). 100 Years of British Music . London: Music Sales Limited.