Chris Difford
Biography
Christopher Henry Difford (born 4 November 1954) is an English musician. He is a founding member and songwriter of the rock group Squeeze. Difford was born in Greenwich, London, on 4 November 1954, the youngest of three sons. His mother, Isabel (née Hamilton) was from Northern Ireland and met Difford's father Sidney Lewis Difford (1919–2001) while he was stationed in Belfast during World War II. Difford has written lyrics for over 50 years, most notably in partnership with Glenn Tilbrook. The two were primary members in Squeeze and Difford & Tilbrook. According to Difford, he stole 50p from his mother's purse to put a card in a local sweetshop window advertising for a guitarist to join his band, although he did not have one at the time. Tilbrook was the only person who responded to the advert and they met for the first time shortly afterwards. Some of their best-known songs are "Cool for Cats", "Up the Junction", "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)", "Tempted" and "Black Coffee in Bed". After the break-up of Squeeze in 1983, Difford continued writing songs for artists such as Jools Holland, Helen Shapiro, Billy Bremner and Elvis Costello. He has also written lyrics for music by Jools Holland, Elton John, Wet Wet Wet, Marti Pellow and others. He was involved with Tilbrook and John Turner in the creation of a musical, Labelled with Love, which was created using the songs of Squeeze. The 1983 musical performed in Deptford was short-lived. In 1984, the pair released the album Difford and Tilbrook and had a minor hit in the UK with "Love's Crashing Waves" which reached 57 in the UK Singles Chart. In 1985, Squeeze reunited, having hits in the US with the album Babylon and On, plus the singles "Hourglass" and "853-5937". Difford left the group in 1999 launching a solo career in 2003 with his album I Didn't Get Where I Am. Difford was also manager of Bryan Ferry and The Strypes. Squeeze reunited again in 2007, and Difford maintained a concurrent solo career alongside his work with the band. In March 2010, Difford curated Songs in the Key of London, an evening of music dedicated to the capital at the Barbican Centre, London. In 2017, Difford published his autobiography, Some Fantastic Place: My Life In and Out of Squeeze. Since 2014, Difford has been running the annual Chris Difford Songwriting Retreat, under the auspices of the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, providing an opportunity for artists to collaborate with one another to write new songs and create new friendships in a relaxed setting in the English countryside. In August 2021, Difford launched a podcast series, I Never Thought It Would Happen, with the charity Help Musicians, a charity he is an ambassador for, speaking to guests including Sting, Robbie Williams and KT Tunstall about the highs and lows of life in music.
Known For & Full Filmography11 Titles
Drama Series - 2015, 16 episodes • as Self - Musical Guest
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology, and more. Featuring bandleader Jon Batiste with his band Stay Human, the Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater.
Drama Series - 1992, 16 episodes • as Self - Performer
Later... with Jools Holland is a contemporary British music television show hosted by Jools Holland.
Drama Series - 1978, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
The Kenny Everett Video Show (later renamed The Kenny Everett Video Cassette) was a British television comedy and music programme made by Thames Television for ITV from 3 July 1978 to 21 May 1981.
Drama Series - 2006, 16 episodes • as Self
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 2009, 16 episodes • as Self
A concert showcase that features music artists performing in unique settings, such as museums, temples and synagogues. The series also features interview segments with the artists.
Movie - 2021, 2h 15m • as Self
Take a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers Ron & Russell Mael, celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your favorite band’s favorite band.
Movie - 2012, 2h 15m • as Self
Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, the men behind Squeeze, have been called everything from the new Lennon and McCartney to the godfathers of Britpop. Now, 35 years after their first record, this documentary reappraises the songwriting genius of Difford and Tilbrook and shows why Squeeze hold a special place in British pop music.
Movie - 2008, 2h 15m • as Performer
Contains classic videos for 15 of Squeeze's 23 UK hit singles. Tracklist 1 Take Me, I'm Yours 2 Cool For Cats 3 Up The Junction 4 Another Nail In My Heart 5 Pulling Mussels (From The Shell) 6 Is That Love 7 Messed Around 8 Tempted 9 Black Coffee In Bed 10 Loves Crashing Waves 11 853 5937 12 Hits Of The Year 13 Last Time Forever 14 Hourglass 15 Trust Me To Open My Mouth 16 Footprints 17 If It's Love
Movie - 2021, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Squeeze's first live concert Bluray filmed in 2019 at the Liverpool Philharmonic.
Movie - 2018, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Hosted by Bob Harris, this live studio show features music, special guests and rare archive to mark 30 years since the legendary series was last broadcast. Featuring performances from Peter Frampton, Richard Thompson, and Albert Lee among others. Guests include Dave Stewart, Joan Armatrading, Ian Anderson, Chris Difford and Kiki Dee along with fans such as Danny Baker and Al Murray. A night of reminiscence, great music and fun.
Movie - 1982, 2h 15m • as Performer
David Hepworth introduces part of a live concert by Squeeze from 1982 at the Regal Theatre in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.