Barnet Grange welcomed residents, families, team members and members of the local community to celebrate the launch of Ask for the Wizard, the debut book by David Hockman, husband of resident Sheila Hockman.
After spending more than 40 years in the music industry, David has turned his hand to writing, inspired by his wife Sheila, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease. In a gesture close to the family’s heart, all proceeds from book sales will be donated to Alzheimer’s Research UK to support its mission to develop life-changing treatments for dementia and ultimately find a cure.
To mark the occasion, Barnet Grange hosted a special launch event where guests had the opportunity to hear David speak about the inspiration behind his book and the remarkable career experiences that shaped its pages.
Ask for the Wizard offers a fascinating insight into David’s journey through the music industry, including roles at some of the world’s best-known record labels. His career included four years as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music and almost 20 years with Cutting Edge Music Group.
Throughout the book, David shares stories from behind the scenes of the music business, from signing some of Britain’s favourite artists to witnessing defining moments in popular music history. Among the stories are memories of working with Neil Diamond, one of Sheila’s favourite performers, whose concerts she was often able to attend thanks to David’s connections.
David also reflects on his insight into the beginnings of Band Aid alongside Bob Geldof, his involvement in signing Bon Jovi and his friendship with Richie Sambora. The book also touches on David’s work with Elton John and his role in influencing the inclusion of a future number one single on the album Sleeping with the Past.
Guests at the launch enjoyed a reading from David, alongside the opportunity to purchase copies of the book and support the fundraising effort. Representatives from Alzheimer’s Research UK also attended the event, offering advice, support and information about the charity’s work and ongoing research.
The afternoon was thoughtfully inspired by David’s distinguished career in music, with live entertainment celebrating many of the artists and productions he has been involved with over the years. Residents, relatives and visitors also enjoyed a selection of delicious canapés, homemade cakes, cocktails, mocktails and a celebratory glass of fizz.
Chloe Graur, Home Manager at Barnet Grange, shared her excitement about the event, “It was a privilege to host David’s book launch at Barnet Grange. The afternoon brought together residents, families and our local community to celebrate David’s incredible journey while supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK.
“It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the music, hearing David’s inspiring story and supporting such an important cause. Events like this are a fantastic example of how we celebrate the people who make our community so special.”
Ask for the Wizard is available to purchase on major book retailers, including Waterstones and Amazon.
