David Austin (born David Mortimer[1]) is a British singer and songwriter, who released the single "Turn to Gold", co-written with George Michael in 1984. It reached No. 68 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] The single featured backing vocals from Michael, who called Austin his best friend in the documentary film, A Different Story.[3]
Austin was born to Irish parents. His father manufactured trumpets and other instruments for the British music company Boosey & Hawkes. By the age of six, Austin had learned to use a Revox recording machine and recorded several songs with Michael, including "Crocodile Rock" by Elton John, "Wig-Wam Bam" by the Sweet—Michael's favorite band—and their first co-written original, "The Music Maker of the World".[4] During 1979–1980, Austin performed in a short-lived ska band called the Executive, along with Michael, Andrew and Paul Ridgeley, Andrew Leaver, Jamie Gould, and Tony Bywaters.[5]
Austin's debut single, "Turn to Gold", was released in May 1984, and featured Michael on backing vocals. His follow-up single, "This Boy Loves the Sun", was released in the late summer of 1984,[6] but did not chart. A third single, "Love While You Can" was released only in Japan. This also featured uncredited vocals by Michael.[7]
Formerly busking partners,[8] Austin and Michael's joint work included the download-only single "John and Elvis Are Dead", "You Have Been Loved" and "Look at Your Hands" from Michael's debut studio album, Faith. Co-written by Austin, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)" was a Christmas single released by Michael on 14 December 2009.
Along with Michael, Austin directed the documentary film George Michael: Freedom, detailing Michael's early solo career and his court case with his record label, Sony Music.[9] An edited version of the film was aired in October 2017 on Channel 4; the original cut premiered in theatres worldwide on 22 June 2022, under the title Freedom Uncut.[4]
He appears as a guitarist in Wham!'s video for the song "The Edge of Heaven".[10]
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