Friday, May 15, 2015 Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide ANDYHOWELLS chats to pop legend Lulu ahead of her Cardiff shownextweek Lulu hits Cardiff on tour Interview
POP legend Lulu will belt out the hits on a night that’s guaranteed to give you something to shout about next Monday at St David’s Hall. The Glasgow-born pop star will be performing songs from a 50-year career as well as tracks from her new album Making Life Rhyme. Andy Howells recently got to chat to the celebrated mu- sic star.
How did the idea for the tour come about? It was all inspired when I was
in New York playing BB King’s, a highly reputable blues club in Manhattan. The show was a sell out and people were say- ing “When are you going on tour again?” I hadn’t done a solo tour for so long having per- formed with Chaka Khan, Ana- stasia and the tours with Jools (Holland). Then I started writing and recording songs for a pos- sible album and started pouring out. I got fired up and re-ener- gised and then last year we just decided to go for it.
Its interesting you mention re- energised. You always strike me as having so much energy. Back in the 1960s you achieved so much in such a short time including having several hit records, getting to Number one in the US, mak- ing a film, representing Great Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest and marrying Bee Gee Maurice Gibb. I know! How the hell did I do
all that? I have got a lot of en- ergy you’re absolutely right. It wasn’t easy, I was very pro-
Picture: Karen Fisher
NEWPORT’S highly talented Kieran Marsh is about to re- lease his debut EP Enter the Dragon. Kieran, 14, has been busy writing and recording his own songs over the last year. His debut offering will be a unique blend of bubblegum and indie pop featuring four tracks produced by Cardiff pro- ducers Richard Jackson (The Automatic, Pretty Vicious) and Frank Naughton (Geraint Jar- man, Datblygu). Talking about his new EP Kieran said: “I’ve had an exciting start to 2015. I’ve done a lot of writing, gig- ging and busking – theEPis the icing on the cake.” Kieran will be signing his
new EP outside the Nine Yards Café in Cwmbran on Saturday, May 30.
Pop genius sets a date
LIVE: Lulu takes to the stage of St David’s Hall on Monday night
tected. I had a very good man- ager and she had a very close knit family and I lived with her
mother and her father. When her father died, I bought a house and took her mother with me and she was very protective of me. I think that’s how I survived so long. It was pretty daunting a lot of the time and scary and I missed my parents when I first came to Lon- don and I’d cry myself to sleep at night I had so much success that it carried me but let’s face it I came into the music business at an incredible time that will never happen again.
What was it like for you when you cracked America? It was unbelievable. My par-
ents didn’t like British music or films, I was brought up on a diet of America! That’s why I sang with an American accent and I wanted to go to America. When To Sir with Love went to Num- ber One in America and I got a telegram saying “America wants Lulu” I was like ‘Oh my good- ness!’ I went there and it was a little bit dreamlike but pretty fantastic. Even today when I go to America there’s a very sweet attitude towards me, it’s because you couldn’t have made To Sir with Love in America. Black Americans have a real affinity to- wards me because I was in love with a black teacher (played by Sidney Poitier). It was a special thing, and it was only when I got
older that I realised how much of a part of Sidney’s history I’d al- ways be connected with.
You didn’t get a UK Number one until the 1990s when you topped the charts with Take That and Relight My Fire. What was that like for you? I was never upset that I’d never
had a (UK) number one but then to have a number one was a nice surprise!
Many people probably think Shout was a number one. I think some people do. It was
such a powerful song and I’ve never been able to find a song that was comparable.
Do you have a particular favourite song? I don’t think there’s one per-
sonal favourite. I love doing The Man Who Sold the World and the fact that I was able to write a song (I Don’t Wanna Fight) that Tina Turner had a hit with. That’s going to be a duet on the tour.
Will you be performing your new album on the tour? I won’t be doing all the album,
only a few songs and some of the hits that I can do today and get my teeth into. There are cer- tain lyrics I did when I was young that I don’t feel I can do today
£10perticket -Tickets behind thebar or Call 01633 271419 Comingto TheFerns 30th May
and songs that have influenced my roots from way back. I think of young people today
who have been inspired by Mo- town. Bruno Mars, Calvin Harris, Jessie J who do they love? It’s influenced by the music I love that’s kind of what the whole show will be about – all for rock ’n’ roll!
Limited tickets to see Lulu live
at St David’s Hall on May 18 are still available priced £28.50, £35 and £45 plus a VIP package at £89 (plus a £2.95 ticket service charge per transaction).
To book your seats, visit stda-
vidshallcardiff.co.uk or call the box office on 029 2087 8444.
LEGENDARY performer, foundingmemberof The Beach Boys and one of the world’s most revered figures within popular music, Brian Wilson has announced that he will be touring arenas across the UK this September. Already receiving praise for
his latest No Pier Pressure al- bum, Brian will be bringing the sound of California to Brit- ish shores for a limited run of shows. Support comes from classic
rockers America and Scottish indie innovator Edwyn Collins with him to arenas in the UK. For the eight UK shows Brian
will also be joined by fellow Beach Boys Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin. Tickets priced at £65/£55/£45 (plus booking fees) are avail- able from Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Box Office on 029 2022 4488 For more more details visit
livenation.co.uk
FrankieValli and TheFourSeasons Tribute Kieran Marsh RELEASE:
3 Music
Great start for singer
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