Famous artists with roots in Cambridge
Published by Astrid Beck,
Here is a list of famous artists with roots in Cambridge, which is way from complete but includes those I am very fond of.
The Anchor Pub (as seen from the Cam) where Pink Floyd played on a regular basis in the 60'ies
David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Syd Barrett
David Jon Gilmour was born on 6th March, 1946, in Grantchester Meadows, Cambridge. As the lead guitarist of Pink Floyd, he is by many considered one of the most influential guitarists on the rock stage.
Roger Waters attended Morley Memorial Junior School in Cambridge and then the Cambridgeshire High School for Boys (now Hills Road Sixth Form College) with Syd Barrett, while his future musical partner, David Gilmour, lived nearby on the city's Mill Road, and attended the Perse School.
Nick Hornby, Novelist
Nick Hornby, in full Nicholas Hornby is an English novelist, essayist, lyricist and screenwriter. He is best known for his novels High Fidelity and About a Boy.
Born: April 17, 1957, Redhill
Movies: High Fidelity, About a Boy, An Education, A Long Way Down, Fever Pitch, Wild, A Star Is Born
Education: Jesus College, Cambridge
John Cleese (born 27 October 1939) is an English actor, comedian, writer and film producer. In the late 1960s, he co-founded Monty Python, Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life.
In the mid-1970s, Cleese and his first wife, Connie Booth, co-wrote and starred in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers. Later, he co-starred with Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis and former Python colleague Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda and Fierce Creatures. He also starred in Clockwise, and has appeared in many other films, including two James Bond films, two Harry Potter films, and the last three Shrek films.
He read at Law Downing College, Cambridge. He also joined the Cambridge Footlights, an amateur theatrical club in Cambridge, founded in 1883.
Notable former Footlight members among others are: Douglas Adams (born and student in Cambridge), Prince Charles, Emma Thompson (she went to Newnham College, Cambridge), Salman Rushdie, Stephen Fry (Queens' College, Cambridge).
Andy Bell
lead singer for Erasure. Andy was born in Peterborough (close to Cambridge).
Sacha Baron Cohen
aka Ali G, Borat went to Christ's College, Cambridge and attended the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club.
Tilda Swinton
Oscar winning actress, Tilda Swinton went to women-only Murray Edwards College, Cambridge.
Richard Attenborough
Director and Producer for Gandhi and Cry Freedom, was born in Cambridge.
The Royals
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
On 29 April 2011, the day of his wedding, Prince William was created Duke of Cambridge, upon their marriage on the same day, his wife Kate became The Duchess of Cambridge.
Lady Di Memorial
Diana, Princess Of Wales Memorial Garden is based in Christ's Pieces to commemorate the death of Princess Diana (see http://guidesignblog.com/snow-in-cambridge).