Stuart Cosgrove

Stuart John Francis Cosgrove is a Scottish journalist, broadcaster, and television executive. A beloved author of soul music, he wrote the trilogy Detroit 67, Memphis 68, and Harlem 69.

Stuart Cosgrove was born and raised in the Letham area of Perth, Scotland. His early life was marked by a family tragedy when his father, a lorry driver for the Co-op supermarket, died in a road accident in 1960.

He graduated from Hull University with a degree in Drama and English. Furthering his academic journey, he studied at George Mason University, Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and Wharton Business School.

In addition to a PhD in Media, Cosgrove holds a doctorate in English and American Studies.

He has been awarded honorary degrees from the University of Abertay Dundee and professorships from the Universities of Stirling and Liverpool John Moores.

Stuart Cosgrove's career in journalism began as a fanzine writer on the northern soul scene. His first job was with the black music paper Echoes, after which he became the media editor for the New Musical Express (NME). Cosgrove worked for The Face during the 1980s. After joining Channel 4 in 1994, he was its Controller of Arts and Entertainment. Later, he became Head of Programmes (Nations and Regions), a position he held until 2015.

In broadcasting, Cosgrove is known for co-hosting BBC Radio Scotland's comedy football phone-in "Off the Ball" with Tam Cowan and the Saturday football Sportscene results show on BBC Scotland.

His notable works include Theatres of the Left, 1880–1935 (1985) and Flogging a Dead Horse: Heritage Culture and Its Role in Post-industrial Britain (1993).

However, he is best known for his award-winning soul music trilogy, which includes Detroit 67: The Year That Changed Soul (2016), Memphis 68: The Tragedy of Southern Soul (2018), and Harlem 69: The Future of Soul (2018).

These works provide in-depth accounts of pivotal years in the history of soul music and their intertwining with significant social and political events. In 2020, he published Cassius X: A Legend in the Making and Hey America!: The Epic Story of Black Music and the White House.

Stuart Cosgrove lives in Glasgow.
years of life: 12 November 1952 present
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