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Over the Moon: My Autobiography
As a young schoolboy, David Essex dreamed of becoming a professional footballer, and was signed up by his beloved West Ham United, but as a teenager he developed a passion for music which set him on a very different path, and ultimately led to superstardom.
It wasn't, however, an easy start. Scraping a living on the edges of show business was a hard slog, and he endured many disappointments. Then aged 23, he went along to an audition for a new musical called Godspell and won the role of Jesus that was to shoot him to fame. Within a year he was starring in the smash hit film, That'll Be the Day, and had written and recorded his first number one single 'Rock On'.
It was the start of Essex Mania, and a long journey of undreamt of adventure. From Godspell to EastEnders it's been an amazing life. And here is David's full incredible story - in his own words.
It wasn't, however, an easy start. Scraping a living on the edges of show business was a hard slog, and he endured many disappointments. Then aged 23, he went along to an audition for a new musical called Godspell and won the role of Jesus that was to shoot him to fame. Within a year he was starring in the smash hit film, That'll Be the Day, and had written and recorded his first number one single 'Rock On'.
It was the start of Essex Mania, and a long journey of undreamt of adventure. From Godspell to EastEnders it's been an amazing life. And here is David's full incredible story - in his own words.
- GenresBiography
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 5, 2022
As a young schoolboy, David Essex dreamed of becoming a professional footballer, and was signed up by his beloved West Ham United, but as a teenager he developed a passion for music which set him on a very different path, and ultimately led to superstardom.
It wasn't, however, an easy start. Scraping a living on the edges of show business was a hard slog, and he endured many disappointments. Then aged 23, he went along to an audition for a new musical called Godspell and won the role of Jesus that was to shoot him to fame. Within a year he was starring in the smash hit film, That'll Be the Day, and had written and recorded his first number one single 'Rock On'.
It was the start of Essex Mania, and a long journey of undreamt of adventure. From Godspell to EastEnders it's been an amazing life. And here is David's full incredible story – in his own words.
A powerful, honest humble look at his own career, a down to earth character, a home lover, married, young children all at the time when he was at the height of his career, the David Essex Mania.
It is hard, as this book shows, to be an enormous success, working hard and trying to have a private and happy home life. This book expands the pure stress of a hectic life, the demands of record companies, producers, making a living, understanding your great success and not letting it go to your head.
In so many different roles we play in life we have to cope with our own life, our own demands, our own finances, so think what it is like to be in the public eye, an overnight star, although worked for ten years to become an overnight star.
in 1973, 1974 David Essex became a massive stage star, then a huge pop star, then an international film star, all at the same time, a year earlier he had been on the dole !
To maintain stardom at the height of your career takes a lot of mental and physical energy, not easy. You must write the next great song, make the next great film role, tour all over the world, plane flight after plane flight, not easy to keep a marriage together, bring up children.
David Essex explains so much of the difficulties of this life and trying so hard to be a husband, a father and income supporter, when everyone wants a part of you.
Perfectly, now, for me understanding the importance of taking a step away from the limelight, choosing your work carefully, saying "hey families are important".
Told with honesty, with a man with his feet on the ground. An actor, a singer, stage actor, charity worker, music writer, husband and father.
A Great career. A Great book.
It wasn't, however, an easy start. Scraping a living on the edges of show business was a hard slog, and he endured many disappointments. Then aged 23, he went along to an audition for a new musical called Godspell and won the role of Jesus that was to shoot him to fame. Within a year he was starring in the smash hit film, That'll Be the Day, and had written and recorded his first number one single 'Rock On'.
It was the start of Essex Mania, and a long journey of undreamt of adventure. From Godspell to EastEnders it's been an amazing life. And here is David's full incredible story – in his own words.
A powerful, honest humble look at his own career, a down to earth character, a home lover, married, young children all at the time when he was at the height of his career, the David Essex Mania.
It is hard, as this book shows, to be an enormous success, working hard and trying to have a private and happy home life. This book expands the pure stress of a hectic life, the demands of record companies, producers, making a living, understanding your great success and not letting it go to your head.
In so many different roles we play in life we have to cope with our own life, our own demands, our own finances, so think what it is like to be in the public eye, an overnight star, although worked for ten years to become an overnight star.
in 1973, 1974 David Essex became a massive stage star, then a huge pop star, then an international film star, all at the same time, a year earlier he had been on the dole !
To maintain stardom at the height of your career takes a lot of mental and physical energy, not easy. You must write the next great song, make the next great film role, tour all over the world, plane flight after plane flight, not easy to keep a marriage together, bring up children.
David Essex explains so much of the difficulties of this life and trying so hard to be a husband, a father and income supporter, when everyone wants a part of you.
Perfectly, now, for me understanding the importance of taking a step away from the limelight, choosing your work carefully, saying "hey families are important".
Told with honesty, with a man with his feet on the ground. An actor, a singer, stage actor, charity worker, music writer, husband and father.
A Great career. A Great book.
October 2, 2020
Have always loved a little bit of David Essex...(Oops that sounds a little inappropriate)..... and this was no exception. A down to earth telling of his life story so far. Comes across as a genuinely nice chap.
A good read.
A good read.
April 19, 2020
I have read lots of autobiographies over the years and this is one of the best. David is very open and honest about his life and his Romany ancestry. A very down to earth person, he really cares about his family. I really enjoyed reading this
December 14, 2020
As always, one learns a sizeable portion about a culture from studying its music. David (Cook) Essex seemed an unlikely (English) figure to dive into the blues culture. He had a meteoric rise and then fell back on theater and film. Initially he had committed to a sports career but a chance at trying out a set of drums completely changed his future. Not hugely popular in the US, David Essex was completely unknown to me and so, curious, I picked up his autobiography Over the Moon and was gratified to learn more of the background culture of the Eastend and London in general, during the 60's up through the 80's. In spite of his fame Essex seemed well-grounded and a committed family man with a moral inner compass unexpected in someone who is an agnostic, which point I was dismayed to find by the middle of the book. This knowledge truly saddened me, ....however the overall story is compelling.
April 30, 2019
This was a great autobiography of David Essex showcasing his very varied work over several decades. Many may only think of him as a pop singer in the 70s but this man has done a lot more besides in the world of theatre and musicals - both performing and writing the scores. He has also done a lot of wonderful work for charities - not just giving money but really getting involved on the ground. He comes across as a very nice and decent person and it was a delight to read an autobiography that was positive and respectful of all mentioned.
May 1, 2018
An easy to read book. I found the story of David's life interesting with a few sad moments. Found out lots I didn't know about him. What a remarkable life & career he's had. I hope he achieves some more too as what shines through is his work ethic.
October 17, 2017
boring. Loved him, love his voice and he seems like a decent guy, but this was sooooo boring.
October 8, 2021
It may have taken me a while to read this, but it was very interesting. I had no idea that David Essex has had such a varied career.
November 15, 2021
Very easy to read, and as I grew up in the same area & time as David, struck a lot of memories
February 8, 2025
A bit before my time but an easy gentle walk through his life
October 8, 2025
David Essex
A fab read, well written and no holds barred was very modest about his life a nd his achievements very appreciative of people that had helped him in his career
A fab read, well written and no holds barred was very modest about his life a nd his achievements very appreciative of people that had helped him in his career
November 25, 2025
5*. I enjoyed this book.
November 4, 2016
9 hour 52 minute 8CD talking book read by the author. A very enjoyable listen with far more things Essex (Cook) did that I never knew about. Loved the accent but of course being an autobiography could not tell what was left out that may be detrimental to the authors reputation. I liked it.
December 6, 2013
An easy read (what I believe is an updated version of his first autobiography) Over the Moon begins with the stars formative years in the east end of London before quickly, very quickly, moving onto his rise to fame as a musician and star of the stage and screen.
What seems like a very honest autobiography, certainly this is a very down-to-earth, dignified and refreshing read in that there are no so-called 'kiss and tell' stories which feature in the biographies of so many 'celebs'.
Though I suspect this is a must have read for all of David's legion of fans (both old and new) it may well be of greater interest to his new fans, to those who know him primarily through his role as Eddie Moon in tv show EastEnders, as whilst there are one or two little documented facts much of the story is well known ..... even to someone who isn't a particularly big fan.
Copyright: Petty Witter @ Pen and Paper.
Disclaimer: Read and reviewed on behalf of NEWBOOKS magazine. I was merely asked for my honest opinion, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
What seems like a very honest autobiography, certainly this is a very down-to-earth, dignified and refreshing read in that there are no so-called 'kiss and tell' stories which feature in the biographies of so many 'celebs'.
Though I suspect this is a must have read for all of David's legion of fans (both old and new) it may well be of greater interest to his new fans, to those who know him primarily through his role as Eddie Moon in tv show EastEnders, as whilst there are one or two little documented facts much of the story is well known ..... even to someone who isn't a particularly big fan.
Copyright: Petty Witter @ Pen and Paper.
Disclaimer: Read and reviewed on behalf of NEWBOOKS magazine. I was merely asked for my honest opinion, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
December 27, 2013
David Essex was one of my idols in my pre-teens/teens. What young girl could resist that cheeky chappy smile, those twinkling eyes? Many years later I couldn't resist his autobiography. This isn't a kiss and tell book. This is an honest, heartwarming, witty account of David's youth, his long road to stardom, and the people who matter to him the most,his family. This is a must read for all David Essex fans.
March 16, 2013
Having long been a David Essex fan I was expecting to enjoy this & I certainly wasn't disappointed. Remembered so many of the career highlights he talks about and lovely to find that my previous perception that he is in fact an all round good bloke is correct. He may be older now but still has the twinkle st eyes I've ever seen ;0)
January 27, 2016
The trouble with this book is that its author is far too nice. There aren't any ghosts in cupboards, no gossip, no cruel asides to those crossed. I like David Essex. I have enjoyed his work and his music but this book is about as revealing as a nun or a monk in a cassock.
May 27, 2012
A really good read.
May 26, 2012
I loved this book- did like David Essex when I was younger! I was interested in his early career.
June 25, 2013
Like some of David Essex's stuff, 'Rock On' is a very inventive track and this book does show what a talented and hard working bloke he is. Glad I read it.
August 13, 2013
Great book, really recommend it
May 2, 2017
Loved it! What a lovely bloke he is! Didnt realise he'd done so much!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews