Wild Billy Childish

William Charlie Hamper, aka Billy Childish, has recorded over 125 LPs during his 37 year career. He is an internationally recognised painter, who was a great influence on the YBAs. He has also published 5 novels & 40 plus collections of poetry.

Billy Childish was born in 1959 in Chatham, Kent; Childish left secondary education at 16, an undiagnosed dyslexic. Being denied entry to his local art-school, he began work as an apprentice stonemason at Chatham Naval Dockyard.

During his 6 months on the job (the only employment he has experienced in his 54 years) he produced 600 drawings in the “tea huts of hell”. This portfolio eventually
earned him a place at St Martin’s School of Art studying painting. Unfortunately, due to his outspoken views & ‘obscene’ poetry, he was expelled. He then lived on the dole for 15 years. Childish has continued to paint, write and make music
independently ever since.

Never veering far from the path of homemade punk rock, blues and rock ‘n’ roll, Childish is the epitome of the homemade ethic, never signing to a label or using a producer.

Childish’s bands have been championed by a succession of fashionable artists: Kurt
Cobain, Beck, Jack White (who appeared on TOTP with Billy’s name
scrawled on his forearm in homage), and even Kylie Minogue who named an
LP after one of Billy’s poetry collections.