Will Birch (born 12 September 1948) is an English music journalist, songwriter, record producer and drummer.

Career

Born in London, he played drums in various bands in the Southend area before helping to form The Kursaal Flyers in 1973/74. Featuring singer Paul Shuttleworth, the Flyers developed a strong live reputation on London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s, and released several albums. Their biggest commercial success came with the uncharacteristic Mike Batt-produced UK hit single, "Little Does She Know", in 1976, which Birch co-wrote.

After The Kursaal Flyers disbanded in late 1977, Birch formed power pop group The Records. They released the minor hit single "Starry Eyes" in 1978, again co-written by Birch, toured the USA and recorded several albums. The Records split up in 1982.

Will Birch co-wrote the song 'A.1. on the Jukebox' with Dave Edmunds.

Meanwhile, Birch had already moved into record production, working with Liverpool band Yachts, Billy Bremner of Rockpile, Desmond Dekker, The Long Ryders, and later Dr. Feelgood.

In the 1990s he moved into music journalism, writing many articles on the British music scene and, in 2000, writing an acclaimed account of the 1970s pub rock scene, No Sleep Till Canvey Island. He is currently working on a biography of Ian Dury.

References

External links

• Will Birch website