A musician born in Fishponds who since moving to Nashville has become one of the world’s most successful songwriters is returning to Bristol tonight for a special homecoming show at St George’s. Roger Cook has written and produced hundreds of hit songs recorded by countless artists. He will be joined in Bristol by one of those, Madeline Ball, vocalist for his former band Blue Mink.

In his extraordinary career, 72-year-old Cook (right) has received five Ivor Novello awards and is the only British songwriter ever to enter the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, where he has lived since 1975.

Among his most famous songs is I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing, later turned into an advert for Coca Cola, and Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, recorded by The Hollies.

Other artists who have recorded songs by Cook include Ray Charles, Johnny Cash and Tom Jones.

Before turning his hand to songwriting, Cook was in bands The Kestrels, and David and Jonathan, whose biggest hit was a cover version of Michelle by The Beatles. Cook also sang backing vocals on some of the earliest recordings by Elton John and also has released several albums as a solo artist.

www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/events/an-evening-with-roger-cook/