Where Are They Now?

In the past 26 years there have been many incarnations of the David Essex Band. Some members of the band have stayed with David for many years (Martin Bliss being the longest serving at 20 years), some have only stayed for one tour (or album), but the one thing they all have in common is that they are among some of the best 'session' musicians around.

Matthew Letley - Drums

Matthew is the most recent member to leave the band. During the Eighties he toured and recorded with artists such as Kim Wilde, Bob Geldof and Aha. It was during this time that he met Gerry and they became the, now infamous, Vodka Twins.

He joined the David Essex Band in 1991 and toured with them until 1997, although he was never involved in the panto. He was the only member of the band to feature on the Back to Back album. Matthew always said that he would be happier if he was drumming in the wings and on every tour there seemed to be more cymbals surrounding him so that by the last tour (1997) only the top of his head could be seen!

When last seen, at the 1999 gig at Fairfield Halls Croydon, Matthew was looking happy and well and had come along to see the other guys. At that time he was working with Hank Marvin.

Matthew is now touring as drummer with Status Quo - go to the Status Quo Matthew Letley page for more information.

On Tour with Status Quo Pictures from the Status Quo tour 2000 featuring Matthew

Alan Wakeman - Saxophone

Alan Wakeman, cousin of Rick Wakeman, first worked with David in 1974 on the album David Essex. He toured consistently with him over the years, being yet another member of the band to appear on the 'Live at the Royal Albert Hall' video, playing the odd drum as well as the sax, (how did they all fit on the stage?). With his seriously laidback style David frequently referred to him as the original horizontal man. When last heard of Alan was playing in the orchestra pit in 'Grease' in the West End. He also teaches sax and woodwind and, like all members of the band past and present, is a highly esteemed and talented artist.

Rod Demick - Bass Guitar

Rod worked with David throughout the seventies and eighties both on albums and on tour, and guess what?, yes, he also appears in the 'Live at the Royal Albert Hall' video, looking on slightly amused during Rock On while Martin plays bass. He left the band quite soon after this and was discovered some little time later playing with The Strawbs. Rumour has it that he was last seen playing with an Irish band but this is unconfirmed.

Paul Bliss - Keyboards & Backing Vocals

Paul Bliss, contrary to previous information, both recorded and toured with David. He made stage appearances with him from 1977 to 1983 and he appears on the Stagestruck album.

Paul was born in Birmingham, 2 years before 'little brother' Martin, and went into the music industry in the early Seventies, fronting a band called The Bliss Band. The band released 2 albums on CBS America, Dinner with Raoul in 1978 and Neon Smiles in 1979. Lead guitar with the band was none other than Phil Palmer another ex-member of The David Essex Band.

As well as playing and recording Paul is also a songwriter and he has had songs recorded by Olivia Newton John, The Hollies, Sheena Easton, Justin Hayward and Celine Dion to name but a few. In 1997 Paul released an album of his own material called The Edge of Coincidence. For the past few years Paul has been touring with The Moody Blues as their keyboard player and he is well known by their fans.

Paul has his own web page which can be accessed for more information about the man himself (and also to see how much he looks like his little brother) The Paul Bliss Page