Lots of bands break up whilst at their peak, but I can't recall many bands doing it for the same reasons as Sally Carr and Middle Of The Road. Sally, the band's singer, tell why she couldn't sing one of the band's biggest hits for about 15 years and how that led to Middle Of The Road splitting up.
What leads a teacher to change profession to musician? Bryan Ferry tells what happened in his case and discusses how a modest John Lennon tribute subsequently had a major effect on the career of Roxy Music.
Joe Cocker was a rocker who sang one of the most tender hits of all time. Hear how his take on a Beatles' song broke new ground and that his career longevity defied expectations. In the 70's he was known for his hard living and was once deported for his behaviour. Joe also tells what it was like being in New York City on September 11, 2001.
British singer/songwriter Jona Lewie had his first international success out front of Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs, but it was his solo career that really put him on the map. The iconic "You'll Always Find Me In The Kitchen at Parties" was followed by "Stop The Cavalry" and you'll still hear it's bugle intro played on UK radio each Christmas. Enjoy Jona Lewie's hit stories!
Not a lot of people are lucky enough to live to the age of 90. Even fewer get to leave behind a catalogue of work that will stand the test of time. Sir George Martin accomplished both. He was the record producer behind The Beatles and a gentleman in every sense of the word. His hit stories are compulsive listening.
There are plenty of great rock and roll bands but not many have created a new genre. Status Quo are acclaimed as the kings of "boogie rock". In the 70's they were distinctive for their denim, their singers' long blonde hair AND for their music. They've broken so many British chart records over the years that Francis Rossi almost gets embarrassed by it!
Everyone knows the Band Aid hit "Do They Know It's Christmas", but do you remember who sang the opening lines? Paul Young tells the story of how he was unintentionally given that honour. The stories behind his hits are covered as well as the voice issues that have been part of his lengthy career.
"Clair", "Get Down", "Ooh Wakka Doo Wakka Day" and "Alone Again (Naturally)" were just some of the hits of Gilbert O'Sullivan.....but there could have been many more! Gilbert tells how ground-breaking legal action put his career on hold for a number of years and made him an "outsider" in the music industry, BUT permanently changed things for the better.
In Australia Graham Bonnet is best remembered as a solo artist, however internationally his biggest successes came with bands. In the 60's with The Marbles and then in 1979/80 as lead singer for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. Two of his greatest hits came courtesy of Bee Gee Barry Gibb and the stories behind those hits are worth hearing!
What a career Tina Charles had! The British singer began as a teenager working in the recording studio singing with people like Elton John and Steve Harley. Tina also sang the lead vocals for a band called 5000 Volts (which was uncredited) and by the time her own run of hits began in 1975 she was a seasoned professional at just 21 years of age.
