Neil McCormick

For the movie character, seeMysterious Skin § Plot.

Neil McCormick(born 31 March 1961) is a British music journalist, author and broadcaster. He has been the chief music critic forThe Daily Telegraphsince 1996,and presented a music interview show forVintage TVin the UK, Neil McCormick's Needle Time.McCormick is a close associate of rock bandU2.

Early life

McCormick was born in England but later moved with his family to Scotland, then Ireland. He attendedMount Temple Comprehensive Schoolin Dublin at the same time as all the future members ofU2.

Career

McCormick was songwriter and vocalist in a succession of unsigned bands: Frankie Corpse & the Undertakers (1978),the Modulators (1978–79)Yeah!Yeah! (1980–83)and Shook Up! (1985–88).He released one solo studio album,Mortal Coil,under the pseudonym the Ghost Who Walks in 2004.His song, "Harm's Way", features on the albumSongs Inspired byThe Passion of the Christ(2004). Writing inThe Daily Telegraph,McCormick said, "I should probably quit while I'm ahead."

As a journalist, McCormick worked for Irish music magazineHot Pressfrom 1978.He returned to journalism in the early nineties after an unsuccessful music career, becoming a contributing editor atBritish GQ(1991–96).He has been chief rock critic forThe Daily Telegraphsince 1996, and a regular guest on BBC TV and radio shows as an expert on the music business.

McCormick's memoir of an unsuccessful career in the music business,I Was Bono’s Doppelgänger(retitledKilling Bonoin the US) was published in 2004.Elton Johncalled it "the best book I have ever read about trying to make it in the music business."It has been translated into several languages.A 2011 film ofKilling BonostarredBen Barnesas McCormick andMartin McCannasBono.

McCormick was the ghostwriter ofU2 by U2,the band's bestselling 2006 autobiography.

McCormick's first novel,#Zero,was published in 2019.To accompany the book, he released an album of tracks from the book's fictional musicians.