Alan Hawkshaw

In a long and distinguished career as a composer, Alan Hawkshaw has written the music for more than 35 films and countless television programmes including The Outsider, The Silent Witness, Dreams Lost Dreams Found, Magic Moments and the classic television themes for The New Statesman, Grange Hill, Channel Four News, the award-winning series Love Hurts and the famous theme for Countdown, the first program shown on Channel 4. Before turning to a full-time career as a composer Alan was a member of the rock'n'roll group Emile Ford & The Checkmates who recorded several hits in the 60s. In the 70s, he joined The Shadows, while at the same time; he enjoyed working as Olivia Newton-John's Musical Director and arranger/pianist, and keyboard player for Cliff Richard. This resulted in being instrumental in a host of hits for artists such as Dusty Springfield, The Tremeloes, Barbra Streisand, Cliff Richard and Tom Jones. You may not be familiar with Alan Hawkshaw but he has one of those names that you've read on countless album covers or single labels as arranger, writer or keyboard player and this is not surprising as Alan has played from 1960 onwards on approximately 7,000 recording sessions! A busy and prolific composer Alan achieved the Ivor Novello award for the Best Film Score for The Silent Witness in 1979. He was also awarded Best Arrangement by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for Olivia Newton-John's 'I Honestly Love You'. Alan has enjoyed a fruitful association with the doyen of science fiction writers, Arthur C. Clarke composing for successive series of Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe. Alan was also involved with Clarke's new book, The Venus Legacy, and has composed a companion CD of the same name. Alan has collaborated with many artists and writers over the years including Alan and Marylin Bergman, Don Black and Barry Mason. He is currently working again with Don Black, who wrote such notable hits as 'Diamonds Are Forever' and Born Free'.