Norman Cook AKA Fatboy Slim is, quite simply, a British instition. A dizzyingly eclectic individual, he takes his inspiration from a number of different sounds and vibes, with everything from Motown numbers to obscure Northern Soul tracks playing a pivotal role in his musical make up. Since first emerging in 1983 as part of The Housemartins project, Norm has embarked on a rollercoaster ride of sound and vision — taking is loyal fans along with him. A top musician and a top bloke, there’s little doubting that Fatboy Slim is one of the most brilliant and consistent DJs/producers in the game.
Here, we take a look back at some of his most iconic moments to date…
The Housemartins (1983–1988)
Long before he adopted the Fatboy Slim guise, plain ol’ Norman Cook was the bass player in the self-proclaimed ‘fourth best band in Hull’, The Housemartins. Lending bass and vocals to the band’s two albums, ‘London 0 Hull 4’ and ‘People Who Grinned Themselves To Death’, Norm also starred in the band’s John Peel sessions, released as part of their ‘Live at the BBC’ album. Interestingly, the retrospective release didn’t actually emerge until 2006, and even featured liner notes written by none other than British comedian, Phill Jupitus...
Beats International (1988–1992)
Following the break-up of The Housemartins in 1988, Norm went on to form Beats International. Featuring two singers, two rappers, a keyboardist and even a graffiti artist, REQ, whose painted designs while the band performed, Beats International were nothing if not a diverse bunch.
The band’s debut single was ‘Dub Be Good To Me’, which merged The SOS Band’s ‘Just Be Good To Me’ with the bassline from the Clash’s ‘Guns Of Brixton’. Displaying his remix skills early on, it was a sign of things to come. The band released two albums, ‘Let Them Eat Bingo’ and ‘Excursions On A Version’, before calling it a day in 1992.
Pizzaman (1993–1997)
Formed alongside John Reid in 1993, the Pizzaman project consisted of only one album, ‘Pizzamania’, which would spawn three top 40 hits. Featuring a sound far closer to that of Fatboy Slim’s (see the likes of ‘Happiness’ for proof), the band embodied the eclecticism found in Beats International, with Cook once again displaying his production nous and aptitude for killer-sounding, gloriously effective house music.
‘Brimful of Asha (remix)’ (1998)
What more can we say about arguably the greatest remix of all time? Much like Todd Terry’s reinterpreation of Everything But The Girl’s ‘Missing’, it’s a remix that’s far surpassed the original. Featuring more bounce than is healthy, it’s another wonderful example of Fatboy’s ability to conjure up a devastatingly funky slice of crossover dance music. Oh – and it’s another track with an exceptional video too!
‘You’ve Come a Long Way Baby’ (1998)
The second official Fatboy Slim album after ‘Better Living Through Chemistry’, ‘You’ve Come a Long Way Baby’ symbolised the moment Fatboy Slim realised his full potential. A solidifying of the big beat genre, the album helped etch his alias into the public consciousness for two reasons. First, the music. Featuring no less than four singles, and with each one as emphatic as the next, the album enjoyed both chart success and critical acclaim worldwide. The second reason was the accompanying videos. From the disco stylings of ‘The Rockafeller Skank’ to the wonderfully odd ‘Praise You’, the videos are an iconic part of Fatboy Slim's career.
Live on Brighton Beach (2001)
On 7th July 2001, Fatboy Slim played a monumental gig on Brighton Pier, the likes of which the town is will (probably) never see again. A mixed bag of music and chaos, the free concert attracted more than four times the number of expected attendees, supposedly swelling the crowd size to approximately 250,000. Although the event was unfortunately marred by tragedy (one man in his 40s died of a heart attack), it was also an indication of just how popular Fatboy had become.
Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony (2012)
Fast forward to 2012 and London is hosting the Summer Olympics. The Closing Ceremony was one for the ages, with everyone from Russell Brand to Orbital to Queen performing. Among a long list of others, Fatboy Slim graced the stage. Emerging from a giant, glowing octopus, he played two of his biggest tracks, ‘Right Here, Right Now’ and ‘The Rockafeller Skank’, with a huge troupe of dancers by his side. ‘It was great to be picked to represent Team GB in Djing and the club culture era’, said Norm at the time.
Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat (2013)
Norm is a man who’s constantly toyed with and altered his musical approach over the years. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but 2013’s ‘Eat Sleep Rave Repeat’ was proof that he’s every bit as relevant these days as he was at the tail end of the ‘90s. Produced in tandem with Riva Starr and featuring vocals from Beardyman, the track went on to reach No.3 on the UK singles chart and became one of the tracks of the summer. Hilariously capturing the chaos of constant partying, the track was boosted by a remix from Calvin Harris and refreshed the name Fatboy Slim for a new generation of club-goers. His last single, 2017's 'Where You Iz', wasn't bad either...
Brighton & Hove Albion
While one day having lunch with the club’s chairman, Cook fearfully asked if Bobby Zamora, the club’s then top goal scorer, was going to be sold. He was told in reply that if another club was to put up a large sum of money for the player, they wouldn’t have to sell their star striker. So Norm duly purchased a 12% share in the club — his favourite team since moving to Brighton for college. Not one to let it get to his head, he has mostly kept his distance from the day-to-day workings of the team, although he did play a surprise gig to celebrate the team being promoted to the Premiership last year.
Brighton Walk of Fame
Though originally from Reigate, Brighton has been Norman Cook’s home for many years. Reguarly spotted around the town, he has contributed many times to the city through publicly supporting charitable causes and contributing financially to various projects. This community spirit, along with his considerable fame, culminated in him being added to the Brighton Walk of Fame, right next to none other than Winston Churchill. An adopted son of the city, Norman Cook has left as big an impression on Brighton as he has on the rest of the world through his music. Here's hoping he's still be doing it for some time yet.