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| {{Short description|English writer and broadcaster}} | |||
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| {{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} | ||
| {{Use British English|date=May 2012}} | {{Use British English|date=May 2012}} | ||
| {{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| | name = Robert Elms | | name = Robert Elms | ||
| | image = Tim Marshall Robert Elms 2014.JPG | | image = Tim Marshall Robert Elms 2014.JPG | ||
| | alt = | | alt = | ||
| | caption = Robert Elms on the left | | caption = Robert Elms on the left, with ] | ||
| | birth_name = Robert Frederick Elms | | birth_name = Robert Frederick Elms | ||
| | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1959|6|12}} | | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1959|6|12}} | ||
| | birth_place = ], London, England | | birth_place = ], London, England | ||
| | education = ] | | education = ] | ||
| | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD|1959|6|12}} --> | | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD|1959|6|12}} --> | ||
| | death_place = | | death_place = | ||
| | other_names = | |||
| | nationality = English | |||
| | |
| known_for = | ||
| ⚫ | | occupation = Broadcaster, writer | ||
| | known_for = | |||
| ⚫ | | occupation = Broadcaster, writer | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Robert Frederick Elms''' |
'''Robert Frederick Elms''' is an English writer and broadcaster. Elms was a writer for '']'' magazine in the 1980s, and is known for his long-running radio show on ] and his 2006 book, ''The Way We Wore''. | ||
| ==Early life and education== | |||
| ==Education== | |||
| Elms was born in ] and educated at ], a state grammar school in the north-west London suburb of ], after passing the ] examination for state school pupils.<ref name="CC">Meades, Jonathon (1984). "", ''CliveJames.com''. Retrieved 28 April 2009, 28 April 2009.</ref> From there, Elms studied at the ] (LSE) in ]. | Robert Frederick Elms{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} was born in ] and educated at ], a state grammar school in the north-west London suburb of ], after passing the ] examination for state school pupils.<ref name="CC">Meades, Jonathon (1984). "", ''CliveJames.com''. Retrieved 28 April 2009, 28 April 2009.</ref> From there, Elms studied at the ] (LSE) in ]. | ||
| ==Life and career== | ==Life and career== | ||
| While still at the LSE, Elms became deeply involved in the "club scene" that was developing in London suburbs.<ref name="CC"/> He became a columnist for both ''The Face'' and '']'', writing on both music and fashion. According to Elms, he was "almost a member" of the band ]. He championed them, having suggested their name, and introduced the group at early concerts by declaiming a brief verse.<ref>White, Jim. "Review", ''The Independent'', 8 January 1996, p. 20.</ref> Band member ] later commented that Elms was their "]", and said he "inspired" songs such as "]", a number 3 ] hit for the band in 1981.<ref name="gary">{{cite web |last1=Harries |first1=Rhiannon |title=How We Met: Gary Kemp & Robert Elms |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-gary-kemp-robert-elms-1792563.html |website=The Independent |access-date=7 April 2021 |language=en |date=23 October 2011}}</ref> Elms also worked as a DJ at clubs including the ] in ].<ref>Todd, Bella. , ''Time Out'', 20 August 2008. , 28 April 2009.</ref> | While still at the LSE, Elms became deeply involved in the "club scene" that was developing in London suburbs.<ref name="CC"/> He became a columnist for both ''The Face'' and '']'', writing on both music and fashion. According to Elms, he was "almost a member" of the band ]. He championed them, having suggested their name, and introduced the group at early concerts by declaiming a brief verse.<ref>White, Jim. "Review", ''The Independent'', 8 January 1996, p. 20.</ref> Band member ] later commented that Elms was their "]", and said he "inspired" songs such as "]", a number 3 ] hit for the band in 1981.<ref name="gary">{{cite web |last1=Harries |first1=Rhiannon |title=How We Met: Gary Kemp & Robert Elms |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-gary-kemp-robert-elms-1792563.html |website=The Independent|location=London |access-date=7 April 2021 |language=en |date=23 October 2011}}</ref> Elms also worked as a DJ at clubs including the ] in ].<ref>Todd, Bella. , ''Time Out'', 20 August 2008. , 28 April 2009.</ref> | ||
| Elms was a chronicler of the ] movement of the early 1980s,<ref name="CC"/> which saw him become a popular interview choice for the broadcast media. Elms then developed a broadcasting career of his own, working in both radio and television. He was a contributor to '']'' (]) and presented the ] travel series ''Travelog'' during the 1990s.<ref> Channel 4. 28 April 2009.</ref> In 1989, his first novel, ''In Search |
Elms was a chronicler of the ] movement of the early 1980s,<ref name="CC"/> which saw him become a popular interview choice for the broadcast media. Elms then developed a broadcasting career of his own, working in both radio and television. He was a contributor to '']'' (]) and presented the ] travel series ''Travelog'' during the 1990s.<ref> Channel 4. 28 April 2009.</ref> In 1989, his first novel, ''In Search of the Crack'' was published by ]. | ||
| In 2006 he published ''The Way We Wore: A Life in Threads'', which charts the changing fashions of his own youth, linking them with the social history of the times.<ref>Pauli, Michelle. ", '']'', 2 June 2005.<!-- 28 April 2009.--></ref><ref>Taylor, Laurie. ", '']'', 15 April 2009.<!-- 28 April 2009.--></ref> | |||
| He served as a patron for the ]'s Architecture Week, until the demise of the event in 2007.<ref>"", 11 May 2005, Arts Council press release. 28 April 2009.</ref> | |||
| Since 1994, Elms has presented a long-running radio show on ], in 1999 being referred to as "its top presenter".<ref>Robinson, Michael. "", ''The Independent'', 12 October 1999.<!-- 28 April 2009.--></ref> The show features reports, discussions, and call-ins about ], the history, architecture, geography, city planning and the language of London: in short, the minutiae of the city. Guests who are acknowledged experts in their fields of study appear on a regular basis, including architect ] and film critic ]. An extract of the shows is published as a ] every week. Solomons often covers for Elms when he is on holiday. | He served as a patron for the ]'s Architecture Week, until the demise of the event in 2007.<ref>"", 11 May 2005, Arts Council press release. 28 April 2009.</ref> | ||
| Since 1994, Elms has presented a long-running radio show on ], in 1999 being referred to as "its top presenter".<ref>Robinson, Michael. "", ''The Independent'', 12 October 1999.<!-- 28 April 2009.--></ref> The show features reports, discussions, and call-ins about ], the history, architecture, geography, city planning and the language of London: in short, the minutiae of the city. Guests who are acknowledged experts in their fields of study appear on a regular basis, including architect ] and film critic ]. An extract of the shows is published as a ] every week. Solomons often covers for Elms when he is on holiday. | |||
| Elms is a critic of ], and refuses to play the band on his BBC London daily radio show. He has been quoted as saying "I just think they are either childlike and simple or rather leaden and pompous – one or the other all the time. For me they turned something that was once sexy and raw and had roots, into something that was totally soulless, playground sing-along music. I think everything that is over-inflated deserves a pin-prick in it occasionally. How can they be above criticism? That's ludicrous."<ref name="Help! I'm a Beatles hater">{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8246313.stm |title= Help! I'm a Beatles hater |first=Stephen |last=Robb|publisher=BBC News |access-date=26 June 2013 |date=10 September 2009}}</ref> | Elms is a critic of ], and refuses to play the band on his BBC London daily radio show. He has been quoted as saying "I just think they are either childlike and simple or rather leaden and pompous – one or the other all the time. For me they turned something that was once sexy and raw and had roots, into something that was totally soulless, playground sing-along music. I think everything that is over-inflated deserves a pin-prick in it occasionally. How can they be above criticism? That's ludicrous."<ref name="Help! I'm a Beatles hater">{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8246313.stm |title= Help! I'm a Beatles hater |first=Stephen |last=Robb|publisher=BBC News |access-date=26 June 2013 |date=10 September 2009}}</ref> | ||
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| ==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
| In the 1980s Elms squatted with singer ] in ].<ref>{{cite news| last= Mahoney| first=Elisabeth|title=Radio review: From Frestonia to Belgravia – the History of Squatting|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/nov/22/from-frestonia-to-belgravia-review?newsfeed=true|newspaper=The Guardian|date=22 November 2011}}</ref> |
In the 1980s, Elms squatted with singer ] in ].<ref>{{cite news| last= Mahoney| first=Elisabeth|title=Radio review: From Frestonia to Belgravia – the History of Squatting|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/nov/22/from-frestonia-to-belgravia-review?newsfeed=true|newspaper=The Guardian|date=22 November 2011}}</ref> | ||
| He is married to Christina Wilson and has three children. The family lived in ], an area of London he promotes<ref>Dowling, Stephen. "", BBC, 11 February 2008. 28 April 2009.</ref> and where he has renovated a ].<ref>Canessa, Joey. ", ''The Independent'', 1 March 2006. 28 April 2009.</ref> Elms is a ] fan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saturday Talks Tom Hunter in Conversation with Robert Elms 8 January|url=http://www.serpentinegallery.org/2011/01/saturday_talks_tom_hunter_robert_elms.html|access-date=26 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617193338/http://www.serpentinegallery.org/2011/01/saturday_talks_tom_hunter_robert_elms.html|archive-date=17 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| In 2021, Elms and his wife moved from their home in Camden to a flat at the ], Central London.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/high_in_the_sky_2021/?hl=en | title=Robert Elms + Christina Wilson (@high_in_the_sky_2021) • Instagram photos and videos }}</ref> | |||
| ==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
| * ''In Search |
* ''In Search of the Crack'', Penguin Books Ltd, 1989, {{ISBN|0-14-011276-6}} | ||
| * ''Spain – A Portrait After The General'', William Heinemann Ltd, 1992, {{ISBN|0-434-22824-9}} | * ''Spain – A Portrait After The General'', William Heinemann Ltd, 1992, {{ISBN|0-434-22824-9}} | ||
| * ''The Way We Wore: A Life in Threads'', Picador, 2006, {{ISBN|0-330-42033-X}} | * ''The Way We Wore: A Life in Threads'', Picador, 2006, {{ISBN|0-330-42033-X}} | ||
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| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{reflist |
{{reflist}} | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Elms, Robert}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Elms, Robert}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 11:12, 18 July 2024
English writer and broadcaster
| Robert Elms | |
|---|---|
 Robert Elms on the left, with Tim Marshall | |
| Born | Robert Frederick Elms (1959-06-12) 12 June 1959 (age 65) Hendon, London, England |
| Education | London School of Economics |
| Occupation(s) | Broadcaster, writer |
Robert Frederick Elms is an English writer and broadcaster. Elms was a writer for The Face magazine in the 1980s, and is known for his long-running radio show on BBC Radio London and his 2006 book, The Way We Wore.
Early life and education
Robert Frederick Elms was born in Hendon and educated at Orange Hill Grammar School for Boys, a state grammar school in the north-west London suburb of Burnt Oak, after passing the 11-plus examination for state school pupils. From there, Elms studied at the London School of Economics (LSE) in Central London.
Life and career
While still at the LSE, Elms became deeply involved in the "club scene" that was developing in London suburbs. He became a columnist for both The Face and NME, writing on both music and fashion. According to Elms, he was "almost a member" of the band Spandau Ballet. He championed them, having suggested their name, and introduced the group at early concerts by declaiming a brief verse. Band member Gary Kemp later commented that Elms was their "spin doctor", and said he "inspired" songs such as "Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)", a number 3 UK Singles Chart hit for the band in 1981. Elms also worked as a DJ at clubs including the Palladium in New York.
Elms was a chronicler of the New Romantic movement of the early 1980s, which saw him become a popular interview choice for the broadcast media. Elms then developed a broadcasting career of his own, working in both radio and television. He was a contributor to Loose Ends (BBC Radio 4) and presented the Channel 4 travel series Travelog during the 1990s. In 1989, his first novel, In Search of the Crack was published by Penguin Books.
In 2006 he published The Way We Wore: A Life in Threads, which charts the changing fashions of his own youth, linking them with the social history of the times.
He served as a patron for the Arts Council's Architecture Week, until the demise of the event in 2007.
Since 1994, Elms has presented a long-running radio show on BBC Radio London, in 1999 being referred to as "its top presenter". The show features reports, discussions, and call-ins about Greater London, the history, architecture, geography, city planning and the language of London: in short, the minutiae of the city. Guests who are acknowledged experts in their fields of study appear on a regular basis, including architect Maxwell Hutchinson and film critic Jason Solomons. An extract of the shows is published as a podcast every week. Solomons often covers for Elms when he is on holiday.
Elms is a critic of The Beatles, and refuses to play the band on his BBC London daily radio show. He has been quoted as saying "I just think they are either childlike and simple or rather leaden and pompous – one or the other all the time. For me they turned something that was once sexy and raw and had roots, into something that was totally soulless, playground sing-along music. I think everything that is over-inflated deserves a pin-prick in it occasionally. How can they be above criticism? That's ludicrous."
His memoir, London Made Us, was published in 2019.
Personal life
In the 1980s, Elms squatted with singer Sade Adu in Tottenham.
He is married to Christina Wilson and has three children. The family lived in Camden, an area of London he promotes and where he has renovated a Georgian house. Elms is a Queens Park Rangers F.C. fan.
In 2021, Elms and his wife moved from their home in Camden to a flat at the Barbican Estate, Central London.
Bibliography
- In Search of the Crack, Penguin Books Ltd, 1989, ISBN 0-14-011276-6
- Spain – A Portrait After The General, William Heinemann Ltd, 1992, ISBN 0-434-22824-9
- The Way We Wore: A Life in Threads, Picador, 2006, ISBN 0-330-42033-X
- London Made Us, Canongate Books, 2019, ISBN 9781786892119
References
- ^ Meades, Jonathon (1984). "Carving a Career in Style: Robert Elms", CliveJames.com. Retrieved 28 April 2009, archived 28 April 2009.
- White, Jim. "Review", The Independent, 8 January 1996, p. 20.
- Harries, Rhiannon (23 October 2011). "How We Met: Gary Kemp & Robert Elms". The Independent. London. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- Todd, Bella. "Norman Jay on Robert Elms", Time Out, 20 August 2008. archived, 28 April 2009.
- "Robert Elms Biography" Channel 4. archived 28 April 2009.
- Pauli, Michelle. "Robert Elms: The Way We Bore", The Guardian, 2 June 2005.
- Taylor, Laurie. "The Way We Wore, by Robert Elms", The Independent, 15 April 2009.
- "Tom Bloxham MBE appointed as Architecture Week Patron", 11 May 2005, Arts Council press release. archived 28 April 2009.
- Robinson, Michael. "'Its a London thing', but sadly for GLR, Londoners are not listening", The Independent, 12 October 1999.
- Robb, Stephen (10 September 2009). "Help! I'm a Beatles hater". BBC News. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- Sturges, Fiona (23 March 2019). "London Made Us by Robert Elms – a love letter to the capital". The Guardian.
- Mahoney, Elisabeth (22 November 2011). "Radio review: From Frestonia to Belgravia – the History of Squatting". The Guardian.
- Dowling, Stephen. "Camden – Britain's musical Mecca?", BBC, 11 February 2008. archived 28 April 2009.
- Canessa, Joey. "My Home: Robert Elms", The Independent, 1 March 2006. archived 28 April 2009.
- "Saturday Talks Tom Hunter in Conversation with Robert Elms 8 January". Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- "Robert Elms + Christina Wilson (@high_in_the_sky_2021) • Instagram photos and videos".
External links
- Robert Elms (BBC Radio London)
- Robert Elms podcast from BBC
- Robert Elms discography at Discogs
