MALCOLM, JOHN  BIOGRAPHY

John Malcolm is the pseudonym of John Batt, adopted to distinguish his writing from his work as a high-profile solicitor. He was a chorister at Salisbury Cathedral, later gaining a scholarship to King’s College, Taunton, where he wrote Non Stop, it seems, to spite his music-master who despised popular music. It was accepted by Francis, Day & Hunter, orchestrated by Ivor Slaney and recorded in Belgium before being chosen in 1955 to introduce ITV news bulletins for the next thirty years or so. He has written two TV series, The Main Chance and Justice, and the music as well for the former, along with commercials and other films.

© 2006 Philip Lane