‘Everyone knew who he was’: James Hamilton, the ‘eccentric aristo’ who catalysed British club culture
He outed Norman Cook as Fatboy Slim, imported turntablism and made BPM a staple of dance journalism. Pete Tong and Paul Oakenfold remember a pivotal figure
Norman Cook can remember the first time he met James Hamilton very clearly. “He was enormous,” he laughs. “Enormous and very well-spoken, called everyone ‘dear boy’, quite camp. He looked so … unlikely. Not a party animal, not into anything apart from dance music and the vibe and the culture of it all. Not interested in being cool, he was like, ‘it’s OK to be nerdy as long as you really know your music’, but I think he really enjoyed the fact that every club he went to, everyone would know who he was and they were all going to tell him some gossip or give him a record.”
Moreover, Cook remembers their meeting because James Hamilton had caused him a whole world of trouble. It was the 80s, a decade before Cook became Fatboy Slim, superstar DJ and multi-platinum producer of countless dancefloor hits: he was still the bass player in indie band the Housemartins, who had quietly put out his first solo single – “a kind of cut-up rap record called The Finest Ingredients” – under a pseudonym, DJ Megamix, further masking his identity by trying to make the 12in look like an American import.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
Flamboyance, creativity, club culture – and no smart phones: why the 1980s are all the rage again
A series of major exhibitions focusing on the era has unleashed a wave of nostalgia for those who were there and curiosity from the young who envy its freedom. In the future everyone will blame the ...The Guardian - 1d -
Next James Bond should be British, Pierce Brosnan says
The Irish actor says he hopes Amazon "handles the character with dignity and imagination and respect".BBC News - 1d -
Pope thanks those who care for the sick as he continues to recover in hospital
Francis pays tribute to ‘miracle of tenderness’ after doctors report slight improvement in his condition. Pope Francis has issued a message from his hospital bed thanking medical staff and ...The Guardian - 1d -
Athol Fugard, South African Playwright Who Dissected Apartheid, Dies at 92
In works that included “Blood Knot,” “Sizwe Banzi Is Dead” and “The Island,” he exposed the realities of racial separatism in his homeland.The New York Times - 17h -
'Hamilton' cancels Kennedy Center run after Trump takeover
'Hamilton' creator Lin-Manuel Miranda said he doesn't want the show to play at what he called the 'Trump Kennedy Center.'Los Angeles Times - 4d -
'Size bias is ingrained in our culture': Women on life after weight-loss jabs
Women who have quickly lost weight say strangers are now more likely to smile at them or strike up a conversation.BBC News - 1d -
This Is Who Loses in a Trade War
Europe, not Canada, Mexico or China, is most vulnerable to the fallout from Donald Trump’s mercantilist policies.The New York Times - 10h -
Carney talks tough on Trump threat - but can he reset relations?
Canada's next PM, who described the US as a "country we can no longer trust", will need to work with the US president.BBC News - 13h -
I’m a psychologist who studies couples—if you say 'yes' to these 4 questions, your relationship is stronger than most
Psychologist Mark Travers has spent most of his career studying what makes marriages successful. If you answer “yes” to each of these questions, he says, there’s no doubt that your relationship ...CNBC - 1d -
Some NFL cap casualties who could interest Eagles in free agency
The Eagles will likely play the compensatory pick game this offseason so here are some cap casualties who could interest them.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Couples Who Married During the Covid Pandemic Reflect Five Years Later
Five years later, four couples who married at the peak of Covid quarantine share how their relationships were shaped and where they are today.The New York Times - 2d -
ICE arrests Palestinian activist who led Columbia protests, lawyer says
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University's student encampment protests, has been arrested by ICE, his lawyer says.CBS News - 16h -
Vance says pro-Ukraine protestors confronted him while he was with his daughter
Vice President Vance said that he was confronted by a group of pro-Ukraine protestors while he was walking with his 3-year-old daughter on Saturday. Vance wrote that he encountered “Slava Ukraini” ...The Hill - 1d -
Blind date: ‘He was very handsome, with a great set of teeth and a bold look. I knew it would be a night to remember’
Lewis (left), 26, a digital video executive, meets Max, 23, a business management trainee. What were you hoping for? To meet someone nice, and if it seems like there’s a mutual interest there, ...The Guardian - 2d -
Measles case confirmed in Maryland resident who recently travelled abroad
A Maryland resident with recent international travel has confirmed to be infected with a case of measles. The Maryland Department of Health and Howard County health officials announced Sunday that ...The Hill - 13h -
Search continues for Pitt student who went missing in Dominican Republic
Authorities in the Dominican Republic are searching for a University of Pittsburgh student, 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, who went missing last week while on spring break. CBS News Pittsburgh ...CBS News - 40m -
'He Was Born To Be A Carolina Hurricane': Logan Stankoven Excited For New Adventure, Opportunity
The Carolina Hurricanes were the talk of the trade deadline yesterday as they ended up moving out winger Mikko Rantanen — who they had on their roster for just six weeks after acquiring him in a ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Watch: 'You can't skate - you're too old' - the woman who took up skateboarding aged 61
Meet the mums who are on a mission to make skate boarding more accessible for older women.BBC News - 2d -
LeBron reportedly to miss 1-to-2 weeks, will be reevaluated
James suffered a groin strain in Saturday's loss to the Celtics, delivering a blow to the Lakers, who have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA as of late.Yahoo Sports - 23h -
Iranian singer who urged women to go without hijab is lashed over alcohol conviction
Iranian officials have flogged a popular singer who posted a song online urging women to remove their mandatory headscarves over a conviction for possessing and consuming alcoholABC News - 3d -
ICE arrests Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests, lawyer says
Federal immigration authorities arrested a Palestinian graduate student who played a prominent role in protests against Israel at Columbia University, according to his attorney.NBC News - 14h -
Search continues for college student who vanished during spring break in Dominican Republic
The search for missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, who vanished last week while on a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic.NBC News - 1h -
Who’s Got Trump’s Ear on Tariffs? Lutnick or Navarro?
Corporate leaders and investors continue to be caught off guard by the president’s trade policy, especially as deal talks heat up.The New York Times - 4d -
How a journalist saved a woman who walked into the sea
Linda Sinclair has been recognised by the Royal Humane Society and Police Scotland for the rescue in Orkney.BBC News - 1d -
Who Won the Trade for N.F.L. Star DK Metcalf?
The Steelers got one of the best wide receivers in the league. But it comes with risk.The New York Times - 1h -
New Mexico judge who presided over Alec Baldwin's trial is set to retire
A New Mexico state district judge who presided over the widely publicized trial of actor Alec Baldwin for a fatal movie set shooting is getting ready to retire from the benchABC News - 3d -
Italy's top court orders government to compensate migrants who were stranded at sea for days
Italy’s highest appeals court has ordered the government to compensate a group of migrants who were stranded at sea for days on a coast guard vessel in 2018 due to then-Interior minister Matteo ...ABC News - 3d -
Ice arrests Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia protests, lawyer says
Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest comes as Trump vows to deport foreign students involved in protests against Israel’s war. A prominent Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University’s student ...The Guardian - 20h -
ICE arrests activist who helped lead pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University
ICE has arrested a Palestinian activist who helped lead last year's student encampment protests at Columbia University in New York City. CBS News correspondent Michael George reports.CBS News - 3h -
‘We joke about who’s getting their knees done’: the rock veterans still touring into their late 70s
Yoga and ice baths have replaced all-nighters, but musicians such as Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Rick Wakeman and Elkie Brooks aren’t planning to retire any time soon. I always said I’d retire when ...The Guardian - 2d -
Rubio and homeland security confirm arrest of Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia protests
Mahmoud Khalil was detained by Ice and now being held in Louisiana despite having a green card. US politics live – latest updates A prominent Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia ...The Guardian - 3h -
Atlanta teacher's body found a month after he disappeared on a Georgia lake, sheriff says
The body of an Atlanta teacher and coach who vanished last month while boating on Georgia’s Lake Oconee has been recovered from waters not far from where his fiancee was found dead shortly after ...NBC News - 7h -
Juan Hamilton, Georgia O’Keeffe’s Companion and Contested Heir, Dies at 79
As a young potter, he turned up on the doorstep of an octogenarian master of modern painting. They grew so close it became a scandal.The New York Times - 2d -
Who would want to be a museum patron in our age of scrutiny?
Protests have led to donors’ names being scrubbed from gallery walls — but private money is needed now more than everFinancial Times - 2d -
This Split Mattress Topper Made for Partners Who Can’t Agree
If you and your partner have different sleeping styles and debate over how soft or firm a mattress should be, the answer is this split topper.Wired - 2d -
NHL Trade Deadline 2025: Who Are The Post-Deadline Cup Contenders?
With the NHL’s trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, we’re going to pinpoint below the league’s teams that are shaping up as true Stanley Cup contenders. In alphabetical order:Yahoo Sports - 1d -
A man with a Palestinian flag who climbed London's Big Ben tower is arrested
A man has been arrested after climbing the Big Ben tower at the Palace of Westminster in central London while barefoot and holding a Palestinian flagABC News - 1d -
Who Likes Tariffs? Some U.S. Industries Are Eager for Them.
Concern about the cost of materials has tempered business enthusiasm about taxing imports. But steel and aluminum makers say they welcome the help.The New York Times - 7h -
The 'anti-Trump' numbers man who may force the UK to take a side
The incoming Canadian PM has made standing up to his US counterpart a big part of his campaign.BBC News - 7h
More from The Guardian
-
Zelenskyy arrives in Saudi as Ukraine expected to push for air and sea ceasefire during US talks – Europe live
Ukrainian president will be holding talks with Mohammed bin Salman. The UK rejected Russian allegations that two British diplomats were suspected of carrying out espionage activities ( 9:04 ) as ...The Guardian - 21m -
One person in hospital but all crew accounted for after North Sea ships collide, says local MP – live
Graham Stuart says other 36 mariners across both crews are ‘safe and accounted for’. Full story: UK coastguard scrambled after ship collision Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has expressed ...The Guardian - 25m -
Marco Rubio announces cancellation of most USAid programs – live
Secretary of state says on social media that 83% of the programs at USAid are being cancelled. Secretary of state Marco Rubio has announced that USAid will cancel the majority of its programs, ...The Guardian - 34m -
Norfolk woman refuses to hand over 16th-century Italian painting identified as stolen
Exclusive: Barbara De Dozsa’s husband bought Madonna and Child by Antonio Solario in 1973 after it was stolen from a museum. A 16th-century Madonna and Child painting disappeared without a trace ...The Guardian - 3h -
Mark Carney to be next Canada PM after winning Liberal leadership race
Former central banker will be only second prime minister in Canadian history without a seat in parliament. ‘Boring guy’ whose economic acumen could help Canada tackle Trump Mark Carney, the ...The Guardian - 17h
More in World
-
Zelenskyy arrives in Saudi as Ukraine expected to push for air and sea ceasefire during US talks – Europe live
Ukrainian president will be holding talks with Mohammed bin Salman. The UK rejected Russian allegations that two British diplomats were suspected of carrying out espionage activities ( 9:04 ) as ...The Guardian - 21m -
One person in hospital but all crew accounted for after North Sea ships collide, says local MP – live
Graham Stuart says other 36 mariners across both crews are ‘safe and accounted for’. Full story: UK coastguard scrambled after ship collision Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has expressed ...The Guardian - 25m -
Wall Street falls again amid economic slowdown fears, as Musk’s Tesla falls 50% from all–time high – business live
Volatility soars and shares slide after Beijing imposes tariffs on imports of agricultural goods from America. Analysts at investment bank Jefferies remain optimistic about the prospects for the ...The Guardian - 31m -
Marco Rubio announces cancellation of most USAid programs – live
Secretary of state says on social media that 83% of the programs at USAid are being cancelled. Secretary of state Marco Rubio has announced that USAid will cancel the majority of its programs, ...The Guardian - 34m -
Russian court accuses veteran journalist of 'justifying terrorism'
Yahoo News - 43m
