Nicky Chinn talks about having ECT aged 16. How he coped with severe bipolar throughout his life while writing over 50 hits with Mike Chapman—songs like Tiger Feet, Blockbuster, and Devil Gate Drive.
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50+ hit records. Three Ivor Novello awards. Bipolar disorder. Electroconvulsive therapy at 16.
Nicky Chinn co-wrote some of the biggest songs of the ’70s and ’80s, writing smash hits like Tiger Feet, Blockbuster, Devil Gate Drive, Hey Mickey, Living Next Door to Alice—all while battling severe bipolar disorder. Alongside his songwriting partner Mike Chapman, he helped shape the sound of Sweet, Mud, Racey, Suzi Quatro, Smokie, Toni Basil, Tina Turner, and Huey Lewis. But behind the music, there was another story.
Nicky opens up about the brutal psychiatric treatments he endured as a teenager, multiple hospitalizations, and his lifelong search for stability. He shares insights into fame, fortune, and friendships, including his close bond with pop mogul Mickie Most. There’s also plenty of rock ‘n’ roll madness—from turning his bathroom into a discotheque to buying two Rolls-Royces in one day and snapping up Paul Newman’s Hollywood mansion.
At the heart of it all? A childhood shaped by abandonment, a search for belonging, and a 1995 turning point that changed everything. (SHOULD WE ACTAULLY BE SAYING HE MET HIS FUTURE WIFE ?)
Life Jackets
Lifejackets in this podcast refer to the personal tools and rituals that keep us afloat in the waves of life. Whether it’s a film, tv show, music, a favourite book, a crossword puzzle, or the steady presence of a dog, these are the things that keep us afloat. Everyone needs their own lifejackets—small but essential things that help us stay sane in an insane world.
- Novels – The Godfather- MARIO PUZZI, Da Vinci Code, Jack Reacher -Lee Child, John Grisham, Poem/Inspirational Writing James Baldwin – The Fire Next Time, First World War poets – Wilfred Owen, Rupert Brooke, Siegfried Sassoon.
- Films – The Godfather, Rocky, E T.
- TV – Sopranos, David Attenborough, Line of Fire, Mad Men, The Good Wife.
- Music – Anything by The Beatles, Hey Jude. Strawberry Fields Penny Lane, Elvis Heartbreak Hotel, Led Zeppelin Stairway to Heaven, Righteous Brothers You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling – Phil Spector at his best, Pet Dog – German Shepherd, Hobbies – watching sport, Listening to music, Writing about bipolar.
- Gardening – Never, other than growing my own marijuana in Los Angeles.
- Hobbies/Exercise – Used to go to the gym a lot before knee op.