David Essex (October 27, 1973) – “Messing About On The River” Feature - Disc
This full-page Disc feature follows David Essex and Gavin Petrie during filming for a television sequence aboard a boat on the River Thames. Written in a deliberately light-hearted style, the article mixes behind-the-scenes observations with conversation about Essex’s rapidly developing career, his music and the success of That’ll Be The Day, while the large photograph places the riverside location and London skyline at the centre of the page.
Publication: Disc
Date: October 27, 1973
Country: United Kingdom
THE STORY
Published under the headline “David Essex and Gavin Petrie go Messing About On The River”, the feature documents a day spent filming aboard a boat on the Thames.
Writer Gavin Petrie describes arriving at Westminster Bridge early in the morning and finding the boat waiting for filming to begin.
The article introduces Herm, described as a solitary figure on Westminster Bridge at 7.30 in the morning and an experienced photographer. Herm becomes part of the feature’s running commentary as the group prepares for filming.
The large accompanying photograph captures the production on the river, with Tower Bridge clearly visible in the background and members of the filming party gathered aboard the boat.
FILMING ON THE THAMES
The feature follows preparations for a television sequence involving David Essex.
Technicians and production personnel are described moving around the boat as equipment is prepared and filming begins.
The camerawork is attributed to Tony Noone, while Gavin Petrie accompanies Essex for the interview and report.
Much of the article’s charm comes from the contrast between the practical problems of filming on the Thames and the relaxed conversation taking place aboard the boat.
The constantly changing riverside setting becomes part of the story rather than merely serving as a background.
DAVID ESSEX
During the trip, the conversation turns to Essex’s rapidly changing career.
The article refers to “Rock On” as an important element of Essex’s current success and discusses the impact of That’ll Be The Day.
Essex talks about the music business and the way his career had developed after years spent working towards greater recognition.
The feature portrays the success of That’ll Be The Day as an important turning point, increasing Essex’s public profile alongside his developing recording career.
THAT’LL BE THE DAY
The article discusses That’ll Be The Day and its success as Essex’s film career expanded alongside his music.
The film had provided Essex with a major acting role and helped create a wider audience beyond those who already knew the recording work.
The conversation also looks ahead to what might follow, placing Essex at a point where film, television and music were beginning to overlap increasingly within the career.
ROCK ON
The feature references “Rock On”, the record that had become closely associated with Essex during 1973.
Rather than being presented as an isolated hit, the song is discussed within the broader context of Essex’s career and the changing circumstances surrounding the singer and actor.
The combination of That’ll Be The Day and “Rock On” had placed Essex in an increasingly prominent position within British popular culture during 1973.
THE PHOTOGRAPH
The page is dominated by a large black-and-white photograph showing the filming party aboard the boat.
Tower Bridge provides the unmistakable London backdrop, while David Essex stands prominently above several people gathered around the boat.
The image works particularly well with the headline “Messing About On The River”, giving the feature the appearance of a playful behind-the-scenes record rather than a conventional studio interview.
A smaller photograph and introductory section on the left concentrates on Herm and the early-morning preparations at Westminster Bridge.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The feature offers an unusual alternative to a standard David Essex interview.
Rather than taking place in a studio, dressing room or record-company office, the conversation develops during a working television filming session on the Thames.
This allows the article to document several sides of Essex’s career simultaneously: recording artist, actor and television personality.
The timing is particularly appropriate to 1973, when That’ll Be The Day and “Rock On” were helping establish Essex with a much wider public.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: David Essex television filming on the River Thames
Publication Date: October 27, 1973
Era: 1973 Rock On / That’ll Be The Day period
Tone: Light-hearted, conversational and behind-the-scenes
Photography: Large riverboat photograph with Tower Bridge in the background
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• David Essex and Gavin Petrie aboard a boat on the River Thames
• Behind-the-scenes television filming
• Tower Bridge forming the backdrop to the main photograph
• Discussion of David Essex’s developing career
• References to “Rock On”
• Discussion of That’ll Be The Day
• An unusual location-based feature combining television production, film and music
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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