Once seen, never forgotten. Earl Okin's own style of music and his particular delivery of lyrics doesn't fail to fascinate and amuse, and will grab attention and generate smiles and laughter from an audience.
The London-based singer-songwriter, musician and comedian has entertained audiences since the 60s, progressing (or rather digressing) from folk music and jazz into comedy.
Born in Carshalton, Surrey, Earl has lived in Notting Hill since he was five. He holds a degree in philosophy from the University of Kent at Canterbury and was a schoolmaster for 11 years before deciding to make music his chosen career.
In 1966 he was signed to the same company as The Beatles and the next year recorded his first single at Abbey Road. Some of his songs were covered in the 1960s by Cilla Black, Georgie Fame and Helen Shapiro.
During the 1970s, Earl Okin started to perform as a support act for some of the bigger names, beginning with folk acts including Ralph McTell and Fairport Convention and then with the likes of Van Morrison. In 1979 he toured with Paul McCartney and Wings and he also began performing at jazz festivals.
In 1981 he appeared on The Parkinson Show and also, due to the comedy he used in his Folk club act, was invited by Nigel Planer to perform at The Comic Strip. This led to his second career on the "alternative comedy" circuit where he remains a unique headline act. However, his act continues to be a musical one and he never performs as a stand-up comedian.
2002 Earl became the identifying face for MTV2 in the UK and Ireland. For much of 2003, his clips of the 'original' versions of hit songs 'Teenage Dirtbag', 'Song2', 'Yellow' and 'Seems Like Teen Spirit' could be seen regularly. These became a major part of his Sony CD.
"You are quite a genius - you have managed to find a niche in Cabaret I have never seen nor heard before - you are simply brilliant. Hard to categorise - musician/comedian or what - I guess you are anything the audience wants to categorise you¦. One must see you in person to "get you" - even though your musicianship is fantastic!!! Your guitar and especially piano playing is thrilling in all the genres! One thing I gleaned from your performance is that one must "experience you" live. Buddy Bregman (Producer/arranger of the Ella Fitzgerald 'Songbook' series) - 2008