Justin Hawkins

Bio

Justin Hawkins is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for his work with the British rock band The Darkness. Their 2003 album Permission to Land was a global phenomenon that merged glam rock (both the ’70s and ’80s versions) with the soaring stadium melodies and ambitious vocal arrangements of Queen. It was certified platinum across Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand—not to mention 4x platinum in their native UK. Their latest album, Dreams on Toast, was released in March of 2025.

Prior to the Darkness, Hawkins wrote and sang commercial jingles. Since then, he has written songs for Meatloaf and Adam Lambert, among others, and has made guest appearances on albums by Def Leppard, Steel Panther, and De La Soul. His short-lived band Hot Leg released one excellent album, Red Light Fever, in 2009. His podcast, Justin Hawkins Rides Again, explores various facets of the music business with humor and incisive wit.