Paul was quoted: "Davey's a happy person. He's just naturally considerate and polite because he's really concerned about how other people feel."

 

     editors note:David, in my opinion, is a rich embroidery of creativity. He is an immensely talented actor, producer, director, singer, songwriter, concert performer, film-documentarian and social activist. Pam

 

          David Richard "Soul" Solberg was born August 28, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the mid-west with his  two brothers and two sisters (he's the eldest son ).  In the 1950's, he spent five years living in eastern South Dakota and then the bomb-ravaged cities of post-war eastern Germany.  David, at such an early age, was witness to the post war effects of human misery and suffering. Can you imagine the sights such a young, impressionable  mind would observe here?
       David's father  Dr Richard Solberg , (a minister of the Lutheran church, professor of history and political science and also religious affairs advisor to the US government), was appointment as senior representative to the Lutheran World Federation in Berlin (1953-1957).  Dr Solberg worked in reuniting families and helping to find jobs  for residents of East Germany .  He and his family remained in Germany for several years providing relief to the countless thousands of refugees and separated families.
      In 1957, the Solberg's returned home to South Dakota where David, then 13, attended Washington High School in Sioux Falls, SD and then went on to Augustana College and University of Minnesota.  In 1962, David was offered a professional baseball contract in the Chicago White Sox organization but he decided not to persue that offer as he, along with his family, soon moved to Mexico City where his father was to teach young diplomats.  David  attended the University of America's and University of Mexico where he was a political science student.  It is here where David first had  the idea of becoming a performer.  (We are so fortunate for his fate!)

     David's love of music started very early.  He received his first guitar from Sears and Roebucks for $14.95!  Says David" It was the worst sounding thing but to me it was brilliant and the best investment I ever made."
       Since David was very young, music always played in his heart and soul. (He also sang as a member of his church choir).  While studying in Mexico, David received his first real guitar from some college friends and soon began studying 6 and 12-string guitar while learning folk music.  (I'm so glad he did! ).  Music, now had become the main focus in David's life.  In 1963 he departed Mexico and headed up to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he found work at the "Ten O’clock Scholar's Club".  He played weekends here for $5/night!  During this period, David also worked as a truck driver, bank clerk, worked in a tie dept. and sold encyclopaedia's door-door.  He also worked at a retirement home where his grandfather resided. I'm sure he was quite entertaining there.

     David married his "high school sweetheart ", had a son, Kristofer David (for whom the song on his first album is written for) all while returning back to the University of Minnesota.  His marriage and his continueing education were short lived. 
     David is also an experienced horse back rider and his knowledge of horses came in handy resulting in a job as a ranch hand.  The ranch owner introduced summer theatre to North Dakota and David helped out by "acting, dancing, singing, building dressing rooms and killing rattle-snakes!"
     By now, 1966, David's gain as a folksinger grew and he went on the road as an opening entertainer for such singer's and bands  as The Byrds, Jay and the Americans, Ramsey Lewis, and a few others earning about $300 for each 20 minute spot. 
    

           Needing greater challenges, David made a tape of himself singing and sent it to the William Morris Agency.  Still, not happy with the tape, David decided to add a gimmick to his persona and came up with the idea as "the Covered Singer"!  He wore a ski mask and sent pictures with his tape to the agency and other New York agencies.  He then traveled to NY wearing this mask everywhere, restaurants, street, and theatre!  This gimmick worked and  he soon found himself as the resident singer on the Merv Griffin show for 26 weeks!  The mask brought him instant attention, but after awhile, it also brought on a sense of loneliness.  David wanted to be known for his music and not the gimmick, so he decided to take it off and with that, the mystery was gone and so were the phone calls!

     His stint on the Merv Griffin Show didn’t go unnoticed.  Screen Gems talent executive, Renee Valente, soon requested that David stop by her office.  She recognized his talent and potential and signed him to a contract.  Through this, he received drama lessons, coaching in camera techniques, karate lessons and so on.

     David, now 24, was Hollywood bound!

     David's first break came when, in 1968, he was hired to play a leading romantic role of Joshua Bolt in ABC's "Here Come the Brides".  He stayed long enough in that series to establish himself as a serious actor .  After he quit the series, he landed roles of all kinds in various television and film productions.  (See film list )  There was also a period of time, about 2 1/2 years where there was little or no work and instead, he played and sang at clubs in the Los Angeles area.  Also during this period, David formed a theatre group, started writing a musical, worked on plays, married his second wife, actress Karen Carlson, had a son, Jon and divorced shortly there after.
     In 1974, David got the role of Pritt in the Canadian filmed movie "Dog Pound Shuffle".  This was David's first movie in which he starred. From here, David also guest starred in several televison series before landing  the  role of Officer Ben Davis, a rookie cop in "Magnum Force".  He played this character so well that it would mark a truning point in his career.  All in all, these two roles became David's ticket into sudden fame, idolization and adulation by his fans.

 

     In 1975 David put together a production of the rarely staged, play, "Baal," by German playwriter-expressionist Bertolt Brecht. In the Actors Alley Theatre (Los Angeles) production, David was not only the leading man , but he also composed the music for eight Brecht ballads. An L.A Herald Examiner stated " His music is as enchanting and as sensitive as his performance of BAAL..."
In addition, he performed a one-act play titled "Viet Rock" and  John Arden's Sergeant Musgrave's Dance.   

 

   From his role in "Magnum Force" in 1973-74, David was soon approached by Mr. Joseph Naar, an independent producer for ABC, to choose from four series.  He chose Starsky & Hutch because he thought "the relationship between the 2 detectives was very effective and it was different."  Most of the detective series on TV at that time had only one dominating star. 

     Looking for a co-star to play opposite David, they decided to try out unknown actors - and the audition would include doing a scene with David.  The hunch was that if the chemistry were right, it would show almost instantly.  As we all know, it is indeed this special bond that would make these characters leap into our hearts and souls.

     Over 150 wanna be actors  lined up for the role and because production was going to be done immediately, screen testing could not be done. Enter our hero, Paul Michael Glaser.   His instant chemistry with David made the decision easy.  "Paul was the best," Naar recalls.  "His reading simply blew us out of the room.  He was amazing . . . He was head and shoulders above the rest.  So we took them together and that was the magic.  They liked each other and they complemented each other enormously.  The rest is history."

  

     David Soul  recalls Paul's audition  vividly: "In the test scene, Paul had to take the owners of a bar to task.  He walked in with a bag of nuts and started using them in the scene - eating some and tossing some to me.  We kicked off together right from the first minute.  What pleased the director and everyone else around was the casual, natural way in which Paul played the scene.  He also looked completely right.  Even more important, you could sense right away that there was some sort of chemistry between the two of us, and that was vital.  It has stayed with us all the way through." 
     "Paul and I knew each other vaguely," says David .  "We had met back at the time I had first made contact with Renee Valente.  Paul had also been up for consideration as part of her search for new talent.  But until Starsky & Hutch, we had never worked together."  (Paul had been turned down for the Screen Gems talent program, but it was through Miss Valente's introduction to a leading agent that Paul landed that small part in the rock Hamlet soon after.)  If David, Joseph Naar and others were immediately sold on Paul for the part of Starsky, how did Paul himself feel at the time?  "I knew something good had happened immediately I finished auditioning with David Soul," he was to say later.  "I felt great when they told me I'd got the part. But I had no idea at all just how successful Starsky & Hutch was going to become.
You can never tell what a series is going to turn out like.  As far as I was concerned, although I knew this was an important part in what sounded like a great new series, anything can happen in show business and if I wasn't successful then I'd just have to move on to the next audition."

     The official statement which started the beginning of S&H  read "Take a look at police detectives Starsky and Hutch and you'll ask, 'These are cops?'  You'd better believe it.  These are cops!"  "Despite their casual appearance, their strange collection of 'friends', their special brand of humor in life-and-death situations and their unique interpretation of police procedure, Starsky and Hutch are young, dedicated undercover police officers combating crime. "

     "They are trying to protect innocent citizens from criminal elements on the roughest, toughest beat in town.  Starsky and Hutch get the most dangerous detail (homicide, organized crime et al.) because they are very good cops and exceptional individuals.  So why do they sometimes seem to be having fun?  It's like this: they have humor, which they use as a safety valve.  But they do not denigrate what they do for a living or mock those with whom they come into contact. "

"Starsky & Hutch is a hard, fast, visual police action show.  Dave Starsky and Ken Hutchinson are different without being opposites.  Starsky is the more street-wise.  His personality and attitude reveal he came up the hard way.  Hutch is cut from another cloth.  He has had more advantages, received a formal education and might have chosen another profession.  But like Starsky, Hutch is a policeman because that is what he wants to be.  As a team, the two sometimes think as one.  Because they truly like each other, they communicate with ease.  The areas in which they differ are of no concern.  But when things are momentarily dull, they talk about them.  These conversations provide many of the lighter moments."

 

     STARSKY & HUTCH first came on to our TV screens when the pilot movie was presented as an ABC-TV 'Movie Of The Week' here in the US in 1975.  Reaction to our hero's was so strong ,that production for the series began immediately after the airing of the movie. During the production of the first episodes, "S&H" fandomania, adulation and idolization  was already taking hold in the US and abroad. Joseph Naar, given that the network was happy with the success of the series admitted he had been surprised.  "I had no idea, that it would catch on like it did.  We were in the top ten from the moment we hit the air." 

     David Meets Lynne Marta

     Lynne Marta ,was a young, blonde, and attractive actress.  You might remember her from her roles in ""Quadromania", "Murder at Sea" , and "The Bait". She also starred with David in "Homeward Bound" as "Mary Jo".    

     David had met Lynne several years before, when working on an episode of 'Owen Marshall'.  While David was playing his guitar during a break in filming,  Lynne came up and started to sing.  When they had finished she said: "I didn't know you played guitar," and he replied, "I didn't know you could sing."  A romance has begun and soon they were living together.

      In 1975, David expressed his desire to get back into his music.  James Cohen, his lawyer, and a friend of Private Stock records owner, Larry Uttal, invited Mr. Uttal to meet David and hear his music.  Five people were present, David, Uttal, Cohen, Shaar and Lynne Marta (she sang Black bean Soup with him!). He played his guitar and sang a few songs, all of which are  on his first album "David Soul".  Less than six weeks later, David had a signed contract.  Six months after that, "DAVID SOUL" was recorded.  (His music, in my opinion, is heart felt, soothing and has that natural feeling.  I just love it!  ).  This LP had 11 songs  including a song he wrote, inspired by his son, "Kristofer David", and 3 he co-wrote-"Blackbean Soup", "The Wall", and "Topanga".  (Topanga is a song written about the Topanga Canyons here in the US. A breath taking place.) This album was released in 1976. It was a big success. I was  so happy to get my LP .
      In August of 1976, David went to London to accept 2 awards for "Starsky and Hutch" from the Sun Newspaper.  He also appeared on TV, radio and was interviewed by the press. There were hundreds of fans screaming for David!
      The success of David's first album had the general manager of Private Stock labels rushing to get out a single.  Tony Macaulay of Britain was asked to work with David and the songs Tony wrote, "Don't Give Up on Us Baby and "Going in With My Eyes Wide Open" were agreed upon and recorded.  Each of the songs was to be an A-side - the B-sides were taken from the album."  "  Don't Give Up on Us Baby" was released on December 3,1976 in Britain and by January 15,1977, it was the number 1 hit in the "Top 50".  The album,"David Soul" had also climbed the charts to #2!  In the US, David's single and album were released (of course, I have them both! LOL) and soon after, his single made the US Top 50 list.  David began working on his second album.

     In March of 1977, David scheduled 6 concerts in Britain.  The press read "SOULED OUT"! Packed concert halls awaited David!  While in London, David was filming a special for The Dick Clark Show.  David visited an orphanage, which had recently voted him "the star they would most like to meet!"  An observer was quoted saying "What I liked about David, was that he didn't stop talking to the kids the moment the cameras had been turned off.  He took time out with the kids - talking, playing and making them laugh.  For a star with such a tight schedule, I thought this a wonderful gesture."  His concert was summed up by London's "Record Mirror's Sheila Prophet as " In plain trousers and a pale green sequined shirt, he stands silently for a moment.  He looks a little awkward. He straps on his guitar, gets tangled in his lead...  The kids scream on.  Then he sings the first note and the screaming dies away.  Just like that. It's eerie... from hysteria to complete silence in a split second."
     "His voice sounds good, strong and easy in control.  He finishes the first song.  The screams start again.  The rest of the band comes on.  They go into Loggins and Messina's Watching The River Flow. In that moment I know it's going to be all right.  It could have gone wrong.  It could have been a disaster - written off as a trashy cash-in on his TV success.  But it's not like that at all.  He's done it right."
 "  The songs have been chosen with taste and the whole evening is a perfect display of polish and professionalism.  The backing band are simply superb..."he does it so well and so entertainingly…."

      On March 17, 1977, while on stage, David was given the news that Don't Give Up On Us had topped a million in Britain ,this had been done only 15 times before in Britain's disc history.  Moreover, the new single Going In With My Eyes Open had sold over 300.000 ahead of release.  David was then presented with these discs: platinum, gold and silver for the album.  Silver for the new single. Between 1976 and 1982, David recorded four albums and toured extensively and successfully in the US, Britain, Japan and South America.
 

      In 1979, Starsky and Hutch wrapped up after four successful seasons. (boo hoo!).  David soon found  many other projects that interested him (see his filmography list for details).  He starred in Stephen King's Salem's Lot (1979) and Homeward Bound (with Lynne Marta).  He starred in Swan Song (1980-he also produced & directed) and starred in the Emmy Nominated movie" Rage" (1980- I think he should have won this! ) . This, I think, was one of Davids best roles. He was fabulous in it . The strength and passion he put into this role  really made you feel  for this character. (Sadly, its no longer in print, but sometimes you may see it on ebay.). He also produced  his third album "Band of Friends" at this time.  

   

     In 1981, David performed in two miniseries, the first film was alongside Rock Hudson in World War III and then as Caleb Staunton in The Manions Of America.

 
     In 1982, David released his fourth album, " Best Days of My Life". Throughout the 80's and early 90's, David acted in, produced and directed many TV series, guest starred in various television series such as "Murder She Wrote", "Casablanca" and "Yellow Rose" to name a few. In early 1986, FARM AID issued an invitation to all leading farm organizations to come to a planning meeting for a national farm conference. It was held on July 4, in Austin Texas and shown on live tv on VH-1. Millions of us watched it and among the performes invited was none other than our  David Soul. Farm Aid created  the United Farmer and Rancher Congress (UFRC), in September, 1986. 

         Continuing, David also starred in several  mini-series, TV specials and movies. In 1988,"In The Line of Duty:The FBI Murders"-(bank robber-killer Michael Platt) was another excellent film starring David (though I hated seeing him as this ruthless killer). Some of his 90's work include movie theatre releases of "Tides of War" playing Martin Henkle (1990) and "Pentathlon" playing the role of Heinrich Mueller(1994). He further continued his work in television with "So Proudly we Hail", "The Bride in Black"-(with Susan Lucci), and "Perry Mason" to name a few. He also continued his guest starring roles in various television series. For a complete list and description, see his filmography.

 

 

                                         (Casablanca)

 

          In 1994, David left the sunny shores of LA to begin film work in Canada ("CrossWinds"), France ("Lido of Paris"; television program "The Judge Was A Woman"). Next, heading for Australia, David returned to the stage after a 15 year absence in the Australian musical production of "BLOOD BROTHERS". His role was that of the narrator. When this musical run was over in 1995, David headed for England where he brought this musical to the stages of London. Blood Brother's tells the story of two twins who are separated at birth, but whose paths cross again when they are older. The musical is set in Liverpool .

         During 1995-1997, David  performed in theatre productions of " Catch Me if You Can" with Patrick Mower, "The Aspern Papers" with Hannah Gordon and "Speed-The-Plow" with Michael Brandon.  He also starred in Warner-Bros. television movie "Disaster at The Mall".

 

       In 1997, David recorded "Leave the Light On". (You can order that CD through the DSAC.). Also in 1997,in Hampstead, UK at the New End theatre, David starred in and produced "The Dead Monkey". This is the story of a matrimonial mix-up & mess written by a British playwright but set in a  California landscape. David plays Hank, once a tanned, muscular, surfer and now a washed up travelling salesman. Alexa Hamilton (David's companion) plays his wife who has been caught up in an unusual ménage à trois.  In March of 1999, he brought this production to The Fridge night club in Brixton, south London where, Antonia Fargas joined the cast!   

     
         In September ,1999, in London's West End's Lyric Theatre, David co-starred in "The Comic Potential" a sci-fi romance that takes place in the near future when soap stars have been replaced by pre-programmed acting androids. David played the human scriptwriter who sees the glow of a comic potential in actress Janie Dee's character ,and falls in love.

           

         In August, 2000, at the 53rd Edinburgh Festival Fringe, David directed and starred in a multi-media production of Sam Shepards "Fool for Love". On UK television, David has also appeared in drag on "The Harry Hill Show" (2000) and as a contestant on "Never Mind the Buzzcocks "playing "Himself"(episode # 7.8) 11/3/2000.

 

 

                          (Holby City-UK)
     David playing the role of "Prof. Alan Fletcher" in episode: "Going Gently" 4/17/2001 of  UK's television series "Holby City".

                                              

     Presently, David is currently residing in Maida Vale, London, UK with his companion of 6 years, country singer -actress, Alexa Hamilton.  He will be 58 in August 2001. 

    "David continues his involvement in the changing world around the US.  He is a champion for the rights of indigenous peoples in the United States and Central America; he has stood with the farmer in their continuing struggle to maintain the integrity of the family farm.  He is a national spokesperson for the American Parkinson's Disease Association and has lobbied extensively for fetal tissue research. David is also the U.S. Spokesperson for World Society for the Protection of Animals."

  

      Coming up, David has a scheduled concert on June 12,2001 in Manchester, UK.  David will be making a very special appearance at the Fab Cafe (111 Portland St) in city centre Manchester on Tuesday 12th June 2001 8.00pm. David will be talking about his career and taking questions from the audience as well as showing clips from his great work over the years. I also read that David will not be singing at this event. Too bad. Still, I wish I could be there.

 

  I have read a rumor that David will be appearing in a concert in September HERE IN THE GOOD OL'E USA. (this is not a confirmed event-stay tuned!)YES! I, for one, will be there, no matter where it is.

 

-David is 6'1, gorgeous blue eyes, blonde

                    

-David has a really cute poodle named "Czechy"

 

-David enjoys sking, horseback riding, and tennis and loves to go "exploring" with his five sons and one daughter.

                               

-David has 6 children, -Kristofer David , Jon krisjian ,Brendan ,Timothy Jacob, Andrew Tobias ,China

-DS-"I'm quiet," he says candidly.  "Sometimes this is mistaken for snobbishness or moodiness - but really, I'm just a quiet guy."

-DS- "I don't have a lot of friends," he says, "but the ones I do have are extremely close.  My idea of a perfect evening is being with my best friends and just rapping and singing.  That's me."

 

-DS_"I didn't come out here to be a star," he once declared.  "I didn't come here for the Pacific Ocean or the sand or the pretty girls - that's all gravy.  The money and the notoriety - that's gravy, too.  I came out here to work - the most important, solid, healthy thing for me in this world.  I learned, growing up, that whatever you're going to do, do it well - and love it."

 

-Regarding S&H-" David said, "I refuse to be tied to director's schedules, especially at the end of the day.  I like to do every scene to the best of my ability, no matter how late we have to work.  Paul is the same.  We owe it to the viewers.  We don't want to be typed as just another set of TV cops.  We want our screen characters to be developed in the right way.  You see, the series is not really about the police department but about the relationship and chemistry between two special under-cover cops.  Paul and I are working on the scripts ourselves to ensure the unique Starsky and Hutch touch remains.  And we are going to direct, too."

 

If you had to put one item in a museum to represent what David Soul stands for, what would it be?
Soraya Veeder, London

DS-A guitar, any guitar.  It's the one thing that represents who I am and where I began.  Always try to remember your beginnings.

You have had a lengthy and varied career. 

 

What are you most proud of, and do you still have any ambitions?
Simon Betts, York

DS-I guess what I'm most proud of are not the triumphs.  They're OK, and I'm happy about them, but the thing I get the biggest kick out of, and what I like most about myself as a professional, is that over the years, no matter how bad the material is that's come my way, and Lord knows I've seen some pretty bad scripts in my time, I always approach the work with joy, care and integrity.  If a script or a director needs help, I'll do everything I can to contribute in order to make the whole better.  I have great respect for my craft and for my role as a collaborator.
Professionally, there are a couple of things I'd really like to do in the future.  One is to direct more, I think its time now to move onto film.  Secondly, I love the theatre and I'd really like to be involved as an actor, director and creator of new ideas, to help place the theatre firmly in the 21st century.

 

During the height of your popularity, what was the most astonishing thing a fan did to grab your attention?

DS-It was sometime back in the late Seventies. I was at home in Los Angeles and my phone rang.  On the line was a policeman who said he was calling from a small town in the north of England.  Apparently, a deeply depressed young woman had locked herself away and was threatening suicide.  All attempts to reason with her had failed and the police were rather concerned that they might lose her.  "But," said the detective, "she keeps asking for David Soul."  As a last resort, he'd called LA and talked with a special operator who'd put him through to my house.  Would I mind talking to her?  "Alright," I said, not a little stunned.  And so began a surreal, transcontinental conversation with a girl I didn't know and whose name, I'm sorry to say, I don't remember.  The important thing is that the episode ended happily in the girl's favor.  Of course, I was a mess for a week.

 

 

                 Other Projects  David starred in:

- Documentary - STARSKY & HUTCH ­ Channel 4, UK - 1999
- Campaigned for the election of Martin Bell as Member of Parliament from Tatton, Cheshire in April of 1997 and again in Essex in April of 2001. Read a nice article about each of  them in UK's "EVE " magazine.
- Wrote the forward to John Sweeney's 'Purple Homicide: Fear and Loathing on the Knutsford Heath' (Story of the '97 UK elections) -
- 1997 Numerous talk shows, documentary and variety/musical television appearances in England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, France, Holland
-The U.S. Spokesperson for World Society for the Protection of Animals

 

                                                   

        Things People have said about David

 

Joseph Narr at ABC-"We put a 90-minute show together," he recalls, "and the next thing I knew we were casting it. I thought I had discovered David Soul because I saw him in a film called Magnum Force with Clint Eastwood. I didn't realize he was a well-known actor.  So I said, 'Get that guy who played in the film.'  They said, 'That's David Soul, you fool.  We all know him.  He's very good.'  So I didn't exactly discover David Soul!"

 

-Joseph Naar: "David is the same nice guy he was when we signed him for the series.  All he has changed is his phone number, because a clever fan tricked someone in our office into giving it out.  I don't think David will ever go on an ego trip.  He loves people too much and has too much creative drive to stop and think about himself."

 

-Paul was quoted: "Davey's a happy person.  He's just naturally considerate and polite because he's really concerned about how other people feel.  Me?  I always owe someone an apology because I get carried away sometimes.  Not Davey.  When the rest of us decide the sky is falling in, he says, 'Wait!  This isn't the worst thing happening in the world.'  Then everyone calms down.  Except maybe me!  That's my nature.  It takes me a while to calm down after letting off steam.  Davey understands.  Davey and I are probably closer friends than Starsky and Hutch. You think that sounds saccharine?  Ask Davey."
The statement has David coming up and saying, "Ask me what?"  Paul -a bit embarrassed -replies, "I was just talking about how well we get along."  Asks David, "What else is new?"

 

-Re:PMG-David says:" Yeah, I love the man, I really do."

 

- Paul once simply said, "David is the brother I never had."

-Britain's Catherine Howe, a greatly gifted singer/writer who records for RCA.  After the tour a message was sent to her - seeking her views of David as a person.  She, after all, would have seen what he was like behind the scenes.  She said, "He is totally untouched by conceit.  I never saw him throw tantrums or be anything but courteous and considerate to people around him…When I try to sum up David Soul, simple words seem the best.  He just truly struck me as a good person."

 

PMG-"Sometimes...I don't know how to explain it.  He's just there for me." -Paul Michael Glaser

 

Written by Pam (a PMG-DS lover! )

 

All info has been researched by me using my old magazines, interviews I have collected , various books and the internet.

I intend no copyright infringement - if a copyright holder wants me to remove an article, please email me and I'll do so immediately.  Thanks!