To many, David Soul is better known as Ken Hutchinson, his stage name from the 1970s TV series “Starsky & Hutch.” While his claim to fame was as an actor, he always wanted to be a singer and had a unique way to tell the public.
Soul first actually gained attention appearing on the “Merv Griffin Show” on television in 1966 and 1967 as the “Covered Man” https://youtu.be/eqLxxaOtl0c coming on stage singing while wearing a mask. As he had explained, “My name is David Soul, and I want to be known for my music.” He succeeded, creating enough interest that he signed a deal with MGM Records.
Soul was born David Richard Solberg (8/28/43) in Chicago. He grew up in western Illinois where his father was a Lutheran minister, Director of Higher Education for the Lutheran Church in America, and a teacher at Augustana College where Richard completed his higher education.
Inking the deal with MGM, the label released three singles: “The Covered Man” b/w “I Will Warm Your Heart,” “Before” https://youtu.be/NFIAdnSZkL4 b/w “Was I Ever So Young? “ and “Quiet Kind of Hate” b/w “No One’s Gonna Cry.”
Despite wanting to be a singer, his acting career ultimately took priority. The handsome, blonde-locked Soul made his television debut in “Flipper” in 1967, then as Joshua Bolt in “Here Come the Brides,” and finally his lead role in “Starsky and Hutch.”
During the later ‘70s Soul returned to his singing roots. Parlayed by his TV popularity he produced a number one hit “Don’t Give Up on Us” https://youtu.be/YY8APrYU2Gs and released a couple albums. As his only top charting song in the U.S., historically Soul has been lumped into the “one hit wonder” category. Yet overseas in the U.K., not only “Don’t Give Up on Us” but “Silver Lady” topped the charts. From 1976 until 1978, he had five U.K. Top 20 singles and two Top 10 albums with tours that took him around the world from 1976-82.
In the mid-1990’s, Soul moved to England, forging a new career on the West End stage. He became a British citizen in 2004. He’s continued to be popular there both on the theatrical stage and television.
Sadly, Soul passed away (1/4/2024) at the age of 80 “after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family. He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend,” his wife Helen Snell told the BBC. Soul’s last onscreen roles came in the TV show Inspector Lewis in 2012 and the film Filth in 2013.
Discography
Singles
1966 The Covered Man b/w I Will Warm Your Heart (MGM K13510)
1966 Before b/w Was I Ever So Young? (MGM K13589)
1967 Quiet Kind of Hate b/w No One’s Gonna Cry (For You Baby) (MGM K13842)
1970 The Train b/w The Road is Long (Paramount PAA-0021)
1976 Don’t Give Up On Us b/w Black Bean Soup (Private Stock PSR 45,129)
1977 Going in With My Eyes Open b/w Topanga (Private Stock PSR 45,150)
1977 Silver Lady b/w Rider (Private Stock PSR 45,163)
1977 Let’s Have a Quiet Night In
1980 Surrender to Me
1981 Fool for Love
Albums
1976 David Soul (Private Stock PS 2019)
1977 Playing to an Audience of One (Private Stock PS 7001)
1979 Band of Friends (Energy 5000) UK
1982 The Best Days of My Life (Energy 5001) UK
1997 Leave a Light On (Soul Records)