Showing posts with label #British Invasion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #British Invasion. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

JOHN MCNALLY AND THE LEGENDARY SEARCHERS BID A LONG AND FOND FAREWELL

J   O   H   N
M   C   N   A   L   L   Y
GUITARIST
WITH THE LEGENDARY 
SEARCHERS
A LONG AND FINAL FAREWELL!
EXCLUSIVE
Remember....
"Sweets for My Sweet"; "Needles and Pins" "When You Walk in the Room"; "Sugar and Spice";  "Don't Throw Your Love Away"' "Love Potion No. 9" to name just a few …  the Searchers tied for the second group from Liverpool, after the Beatles, to have a hit in the US when their "Needles and Pins" and the Swinging Blue Jeans' "Hippy Hippy Shake" both reached the Hot 100 on 7 March 1964.
It’s little wonder then that most observers considered The Searchers to be the most successful and important Group, after the Beatles, in that quite wonderful period of Pop Music.

Originally founded as a skiffle group in Liverpool in 1959 by John McNally and Mike Pender (Mike Prendergast), the band took their name from the classic 1956 John Wayne western The Searchers.
The band grew out of an earlier skiffle group formed by McNally, with his friends Brian Dolan (guitar) and Tony West (bass). When the other two members lost interest, McNally was joined by his guitarist neighbor Mike Prendergast. They soon recruited Tony Jackson with his home-made bass guitar and amplifier and styled themselves Tony and the Searchers with Joe Kelly on drums. Kelly soon left to be replaced by Norman McGarry and it is this line-up—McNally, Pender (as he soon became known), Jackson and McGarry—that is usually cited as the original foursome.

The band returned to a residence, at the Iron Door Club and it was there that they tape recorded the sessions that led to a recording contract with Pye Records with Tony Hatch as producer.
Hatch played piano on some recordings and wrote "Sugar and Spice"—the band’s second number one record—under the pseudonym Fred Nightingale; a secret he kept from the band at the time.
The group continued to tour through the 1970s and were rewarded in 1979 when Sire Records signed the band to a multi-record deal. Two albums were released by them, The Searchers and Play for Today (retitled Love's Melodies outside the UK). Both records garnered great critical acclaim but did not break into the charts. They did however revitalize the group's career. According to John McNally, the band were ready to head into the studio to record a third album for Sire when they were informed that due to label reorganization, their contract had been dropped.
In 1981, the band signed to PRT Records (formerly Pye, their original label) and began recording an album but only one single, "I Don't Want To Be The One" backed with "Hollywood", saw the light of day at that time. The rest of the tracks would be released as part of 2004's 40th Anniversary collection.

In 1985 MIKE PENDER left The Searchers to form his own group. His aim was, and still is to this day, to faithfully recreate the sound and feel of those Hit Recordings and at the same time introduce other material that compliments Mike's unique voice and guitar style.
In 1988, Coconut Records signed The Searchers and the album Hungry Hearts was the result. A very contemporary sounding release, it featured modern sounding remakes of "Needles and Pins" and "Sweets For My Sweets". While the album was not a major hit, it did keep the group in the public eye.
John McNally and the Searchers are still going strong today and hold a significant fanbase worldwide.

The band members are:
John McNally - original member and founder, 6string/12 string guitarist and vocals

Frank Allen - bass guitarist, vocals and front man

Spencer James - guitar synth and lead vocals

Scott Ottaway – on drums.


For more information about John McNally and The Searchers and up to the minute concert dates visit … http://www.the-searchers.co.uk/


JOHN MCNALLY GUITARIST 
FOR
 THE SEARCHERS
ON 'INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS' 
w/RAY SHASHO
EXCLUSIVE 
BBS RADIO


THE SEARCHERS TOUR DATES

Fri 31 August:        WORTHING  Pavilion Theatre (S)

SEPTEMBER
Sat 1 September:    FALMOUTH  Princess Pavilion (S)
Sun 2 September:    TORQUAY  Princess Theatre (S)
Fri 7 September:    CHRISTCHURCH  Regent Centre (S)
Fri 28 September:    GREAT YARMOUTH  St Georges Theatre (S)
Sat 29 September:    CROMER  Pier Pavilion (S)
Sun 30 September:    WHITBY  Pavilion Complex

SIXTIES GOLD AUTUMN TOUR
Featuring The Searchers, P J Proby, The Merseybeats,
The Fortunes, Steve Ellis (Love Affair) and Vanity Fare

For fuller information please see www.sixtiesgoldtour.co.uk
OCTOBER

Tues 2 October:    OXFORD  New Theatre
Wed 3 October:    SOUTHPORT  Southport Theatre
Thur 4 October:    LLANDUDNO  Venue Cymru
Fri 5 October:        CARDIFF  St David’s Hall
Sat 6 October:        ST ALBANS  Alban Arena (2 shows)
Sun 7 October:    IPSWICH  Regent Theatre
Fri 12 October:    LEICESTER  De Montfort Hall
Sat 13 October:    STEVENAGE  Concert Hall
Sun 14 October:    SOUTHEND  Cliffs Pavilion
Fri 19 October:    WEYMOUTH  Pavilion Theatre
Sat 20 October:    MARGATE  Winter Gardens
Sun 21 October:    WIMBLEDON  Wimbledon Theatre
Thur 25 October:    DARTFORD  Orchard Theatre (2 shows)
Fri 26 October:   STOW ON THE WOLD   St Edward's Church (Stow Music Festival) (not part of Sixties Gold tour)
Sun 28 October:    LEEDS  Grand Theatre (2 shows)

NOVEMBER

Thur 1 November:    GLASGOW  Royal Concert  Hall
Fri 2 November:    DUNDEE  Caird Hall
Sat 3 November:    INVERNESS  Eden Court (2 shows)
Sun 4 November:    ABERDEEN  Beach Ballroom
Tue 6 November:    GATESHEAD  The Sage
Wed 7 November:    BLACKPOOL  Opera House
Sat 10 November NORTHAMPTON Derngate
Sun 11 November:  NORWICH  Theatre Royal
Sat 17 November:    LIVERPOOL  Philharmonic Hall
Sun 18 November:    CAMBRIDGE  Corn Exchange
Fri 23 November:    DONCASTER  The Dome
Sun 25 November:    SOUTHAMPTON  Mayflower Theatre
Wed 28 November:    BIRMINGHAM  Symphony Hall
Fri 30 November:    MANCHESTER  Bridgewater Hall

DECEMBER

Sun 2 December:    CARLISLE  Sands Centre

(end of Sixties Gold Tour)

Fri 7 December:      WIMBORNE  Tivoli Theatre (S)
Sat 8 December:     WORCESTER  Huntingdon Hall
Fri 14 December:    NR NOTTINGHAM   Lowdham Village Hall (S)
Sat 15 December:    NR CHARD  Cricket St Thomas (Warner's weekend break)
Sun 23 December:   HULL  City Hall


THE SEARCHERS FAREWELL TOUR
4 January – 31 March 2019
S = Solo all evening show, with no support acts
Please note that although some of these shows are already on sale,
others may not be for a while yet.
JANUARY
Fri 4 January:      MARKET DRAYTON  Festival at Drayton Centre (S)
Sat 5 January:    MARKET DRAYTON  (as above - second night)
Fri 11 January:    DISS Corn Hall (S)
Sat 12 January:    HAYES  The Beck Theatre (S)
Sun 13 January:    NR READING  The Mill at Sonning (dinner and show)
Thurs 17 January:    MAIDSTONE  Hazlitt Theatre (S)
Fri 18 January:    BASILDON  Towngate Theatre (S)
Sat 19 January:    BURY ST EDMUNDS  Apex Theatre (S)
Sun 20 January:    EPSOM  Playhouse (S)
Wed 23 January: MORECAMBE  Platform Theatre (S)
Thurs 24 January:    RUNCORN  The Brindley (S)
Fri 25 January:    DONCASTER  The Cast (S)
Sat 26 January:    STOCKPORT  Plaza (S)
Sun 27 January:    LINCOLN  New Theatre Royal (S)
Thurs 31 January:    SOLIHULL  Core Theatre (S)

FEBRUARY

Fri 1 February:    RHYL  Pavilion Theatre (S)
Sat  2 February:    BARROW IN FURNESS  Forum 28 (S)
Sun 3 February:    BOLTON  Albert Halls (S)
Weds 6 February:    YEOVIL  Octagon Theatre (S)
Thurs 7 February:    HEREFORD  Courtyard Theatre (S)
Fri 8 February:    PORTHCAWL  Grand Pavilion (S)
Sat 9 February:    NR CAERPHILLY   Blackwood Miners Institute (S)
Sun 10 February:    EVESHAM  Arts Centre (S)
Thurs 14 February:    WAKEFIELD  Theatre Royal (S)
Fri 15 February:    WHITLEY BAY  Playhouse (S)
Sat 16 February:    BROMSGROVE  The Artrix (S)
Sun 17 February:    STAFFORD  The Gatehouse (S)
Mon 18 February:    CANTERBURY  Marlowe Theatre (S)
Thurs 21 February:    LOWESTOFT  The Marina (S)
Fri 22 February:    BEDFORD  Corn Exchange (S)
Sat 23 February:    KINGS LYNN  Corn Exchange (S)
Sun 24 February:    HAYLING ISLAND  Sinah Warren (Warner’s weekend break)
               (not part of the Solo Tour)
Wed 27 February:   POCKLINGTON (near York)  Arts Centre (S)
Thurs 28 February:    GLENROTHES  Rothes Hall (S)

MARCH

Fri 1 March:        MOTHERWELL  Concert Hall (S)
Sat 2 March:        MUSSELBURGH  Brunton Hall (S)
Sun 3 March:        LIVINGSTONE  Howden Park Centre (S)
Weds  6 March:    FAREHAM  Ferneham Hall (S)
Thurs 7 March:    HARLOW  Playhouse (S)
Fri 8 March:        CREWE  Lyceum Theatre (S)
Sat 9 March:        NEW BRIGHTON  Pavilion Theatre (S)
Sun 10 March:        LEEDS  City Varieties (S)
Thurs 14 March:    MANSFIELD  Palace Theatre (S)
Fri 15 March         WIMBORNE Tivoli Theatre (S)
Sat 16 March:        HORSHAM  Capitol Theatre (S)
Sun 17 March:      PETERBOROUGH  Key Theatre (S)
Weds 20 March:    CANNOCK  Prince of Wales Theatre (S)
Thurs 21 March:    DARLINGTON  Hippodrome (formerly  Civic)  (S)
Fri 22 March:        LOUGHBOROUGH  Town Hall (S)
Sat 23 March:        LYTHAM ST ANNES  Lowther Pavilion (S)
Sun 24 March:   REDDITCH  Palace Theatre (S)
Weds 27 March:    HIGH WYCOMBE  Swan Theatre (S)
Thurs 28 March:    CROMER  Pier Pavilion (S)
Fri 29 March:        CAMBERLEY  Camberley Theatre (S)
Sat 30 March:        WEYMOUTH  Pavilion Theatre (S)
Sun 31 March:         NR MILTON KEYNES  The Stables, Wavendon (S) SOLD OUT

Sadly the Searchers will then be retiring  






Monday, February 17, 2014

Petula Clark Exclusive: An Unprecedented Musical Journey Spanning Seven Decades


-An interview with legendary performer Petula Clark

By Ray Shasho

Internationally renowned singer, actress, and composer Petula Clark has been exquisitely entertaining audiences since she was a child performing for the troops during World War II. Clark has sold more than 68 million records. She’s recorded over 1000 songs while landing 15 U.S. Top 40 hits and two #1 hits. She’s charted an astounding 159 recordings worldwide. She’s won Grammy Awards in 1964 and ‘65. The incredible musical collaboration between composer-arranger Tony Hatch and Petula Clark generated hit after hit throughout the Swinging 60’s. She may even be labeled as the ‘First Lady of the British Invasion.’

Some of Petula Clark’s amazing string of U.S. hits include … “Downtown” (1964), “I Know a Place” (1965), “You’d Better Come Home” (1965), “Round Every Corner”(1965), “My Love” (1966), “A Sign of the Times” (1966), I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love”(1966), “Who Am I” (1966), “Colour My World” (1967), “This is My Song,” (1967), “Don’t Sleep in the Subway (1967), The Cat in the Window(The Bird in the Sky)” (1967), “The Other Man’s Grass is Always Greener”(1968), “Kiss Me Goodbye”(1968), “Don’t Give Up” (1968), and “Happy Heart”(1969) to name just a few.

Petula Clark has also appeared in more than 30 British and American motion pictures including … Finian’s Rainbow (1968) with Fred Astaire and Tommy Steele and Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969) with Peter O’Toole. Clark was also a popular television personality starring in three of her own American TV specials and as a guest star on countless other shows including her enchanting duets with Dean on The Dean Martin Show. Throughout the 70’s, Clark became a celebrated Las Vegas performer. In the 90’s she performed on Broadway in the production of Blood Brothers. In 2000 … Petula showcased a one-woman show, a concert highlighting her life and career. In 2003, she was the recipient of the Grammy Hall of Fame Award for her everlasting worldwide smash hit “Downtown.”

At 81 … Petula Clark is more brilliant and radiant than ever. Her latest release is entitled … Lost In You. The album is beautifully produced and arranged by John Williams and features twelve magnificent tracks of musical bliss. Petula’s vocals are superlative and her skills as a composer splendor on a track entitled “Reflections.” Her phenomenal lyrical content is brilliantly assimilated to music by Johann Sebastian Bach. The album spotlights a breathtaking cover tribute to an old friend John Lennon. Petula’s “Imagine” is probably the best cover version of the song that I’ve ever heard. She creatively added hints of “Strawberry Fields” to the track. The other two covers are a beautiful rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” and an exciting new version of her 1964 mega hit “Downtown.” Every song on the album sparkles. “Cut Copy Me,” “Imagine” and “Reflections” are personal favorites.

I gave Petula Clark’s Lost In You (5) Stars!

Petula lives in Switzerland and is as busy as ever. She continues to tour and is anxious to get right back in the studio again. I was extremely honored to be able to speak with Petula Clark recently. She’s glamorous, brilliant, witty, and charming all at the same time. She’s an incredible lady and a worldwide treasure.

Petula and I chatted about her latest album … Lost In You, her signature #1 international hit “Downtown,” a longtime collaboration with Tony Hatch, the British Invasion, the infamous Harry Belafonte story, Dean Martin, my notorious 'Field of Dreams' question and so much more.

Here’s my recent interview with International Singing Superstar, Top 40 Hits Musical Legend, Composer and Actress … PETULA CLARK.
Petula was in the Rhône-Alpes region at the south-eastern part of France in Megève during our interview.
Ray Shasho: Petula how are you?
Petula Clark: “I’m well Ray; we’re up in the mountains here. We have a chalet up here. It’s been a beautiful day, and it’s always perfect when you have lots of snow and blue skies. It’s not Florida …but not bad at all.”
Ray Shasho: You live in Switzerland?
Petula Clark: “I’ve been living in Geneva, Switzerland for many years. There’s a German and Italian part … we’re in the French speaking part. It’s actually an interesting country.”
Ray Shasho: What enticed you into becoming a professional singer?
Petula Clark:I started very young. My mother was from Wales and I spent quite a lot of my childhood in Wales and I used to speak Welsh. The first time I sang in public was in Chapel. But I didn’t make up my mind to become a professional singer; I was about five or six years old. In fact on the new album there’s a song called “Reflections.” I wrote the lyrics to some music by Bach and I decided to write about that moment in my childhood in Wales. That’s when I first became conscious of music within me and then it was important to me.”

“From then on … the first time that I sang in a big way was on the BBC in London, it was during the war and there was a lot of bombing going on. It was a fairly dangerous kind of place to be. But the BBC used to do a show at a theater in Piccadilly, which is still there; it’s called the Criterion Theatre. The BBC used this theatre because it’s underground and in fact it’s still there underground. They used to do this show especially for the troops and I had an uncle who was in the service. It was just a show for kids who could send messages to their dads, uncles or brothers… just say we’re fine and I hope you’re okay kind of thing.”

“In the middle of the rehearsal for this show there was a huge air raid. So some of the kids were really getting scared and the producer asked if somebody would like to come up and say a piece of poetry or sing a song to calm things down a bit. No one else volunteered so I got up and sang a song. I think I was eight years old. I sang into the microphone and they heard it in the control room and decided it would be nice if I sang for the show too. So they recorded me and it went out to the troops and had a huge positive reaction. From then on I became a regular on BBC radio. So that was the beginning of my career in England.”
Ray Shasho: What types of music were you listening to back then?
Petula Clark: “I was listening to jazz then and swing and then of course rock and roll came along but the BBC was not playing that kind of music. You had to tune in to Radio Luxembourg or there were pirate radio stations where you could hear that kind of thing. Sometimes you’d get records smuggled over from the states. In general, we in the UK were listening to American music. We had some good performers but we wanted to hear American music because that was the real thing. What happened eventually in the 60’s, all the American music which was really a one way traffic coming from America to the UK, suddenly turned around and was coming from the UK to America. It was still basically American music which we had in some way digested. When I say we, I’m talking about The Beatles, Rolling Stones and all the groups… we had digested this American music and as it got into our system we somehow touched it with our Englishness and made it sound a little bit different. I think that’s what attracted Americans when they heard it.”
Ray Shasho: I think Lonnie Donegan also gave the Brits a taste of things to come, perhaps a precursor to Beatles music.
Petula Clark: “Yes, with the Skiffle music. Lonnie, who I knew, he was basically copying American music. But The Beatles put something else into it. They put music into it. And of course eventually with George Martin it became something very special and orchestral. Many acts were using an orchestra in a very interesting way. If you want to talk about the English side of it … that’s where we were coming from, taking the kind of music that we had grown up with and putting out our own personal feeling into it.”
Ray Shasho: The collaboration between you and Tony Hatch which produced a seemingly endless string of Top 40 hits throughout the 60’s was extraordinary.
Petula Clark: “It was interesting stuff too because it’s musically well constructed. The problem that I have basically with rock and roll when it first happened is that it sounded a bit basic to me. I had grown up with Swing and listened to Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington and Count Basie. I was used to hearing great harmonies and for me rock and roll was a bit flat, I understood the beat but I wanted to hear some music in there too.”
Ray Shasho: Well after saying that … I believe you also represented the women of the British Invasion.
Petula Clark: “I suppose so and do know what you mean of course. There was this sudden invasion by all the British groups and I kind of got sucked into it in a very pleasant way. (All laughing) And let’s face it there was Dusty Springfield too, she was the best, and then there was Lulu and a few others. I really was fortunate because I had Tony Hatch writing great songs for me. Really what matters is having the right songs to sing.”
Ray Shasho: “Petula, is it true that Tony initially wanted The Drifters to sing “Downtown”?
Petula Clark: “You know I don’t know if that’s absolutely true, I know Tony very well, in fact I saw him the other day. We’ve talked about that and I’m not even sure if that story is really true. It might be… but I honestly don’t know.”
Ray Shasho: Well that’s why I get to substantiate these stories directly with the actual artist. (All laughing) I also read that Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) was a session player and contributed in the studio on the “Downtown” recording.
Petula Clark: Oh yea, we had great musicians on all those London sessions, they were the cream of the crop, and Jimmy was just one of those great musicians. At the time we didn’t know he was going to be Jimmy Page. (All laughing) It’s funny, I saw him recently at a party at the Royal Academy of Arts, it’s everybody who is anybody in British show business is there. I was just strolling through there and this guy was leaning against some painting and he said … “Hi Petula do you remember me?” I looked at him and saw this good looking guy with silver hair and I said …I think so. He said of course, I’m Jimmy … Jimmy Page, I used to play on many of your sessions.”
Ray Shasho: Petula, I must ask you about the controversy regarding holding singer Harry Belafonte’s arm in 1968.
Petula Clark: “Oh please … this story just keeps coming back. I saw Harry very recently, we were in Dublin doing a thing for Amnesty International and the story has kept us very close. It was my first special for NBC and it was very important. They had asked me who I would like as my guest and I had always admired Harry, I had mentioned his name, they asked him and he said yes. Obviously I was delighted. We rehearsed for about two or three weeks and really got along well. We liked each other, had fun, and had the same feelings about a lot of different things. The song that we decided to do as a duet was a song that I had co-written called “On the Path of Glory” a kind of anti-war song. Let’s face it, I wasn’t Bob Dylan going around waving banners and things … but I am anti-war of course.”

“So anyway we liked singing the song together and when we came to tape it I put my hand on his arm. What happened was the guy that was representing the sponsor went crazy of course, saying, “I’m not going to have my star touching a black man’s arm” … and we didn’t know about this because we were in the studio. We didn’t hear all this. So the producer Steve Binder (Produced Elvis: The ‘68 Comeback Special) who is absolutely great said okay we’ll try something a little bit different. We then tried it where we were not actually standing together using special effects. But later my husband and I decided that we were going to use the take with me standing next to Harry. So we had to get rid of the other take, which is what we did. I couldn’t figure out what this was all about … my piano player and choreographer were black. For me it was what we call a storm in a teacup. At that moment it was very important. It made the news and I was very surprised that it got out.”
Ray Shasho: I’ve always admired you, not only for your incredible success of Top 40 hits, but also for the legendary singers and actors you’ve befriended and performed with. I’ve always enjoyed the duets you did with Dean Martin.
Petula Clark: “I’m not really nostalgic and sit around saying, yea, those were the good old days. But performing with Dean was such fun. We laughed all the time. It was the easiest thing in the world because he never rehearsed. Everybody else had to rehearse so that they knew what was going on, but he never really knew what was going on, which was part of the charm. He always looked like he was a bit dazed, which in fact he was because he actually didn’t know what was happening next. After I had done the show, which was about three times, they realized that I was a very fast learner and that Dean liked working with me. I used to come in just the day before and they would make all my clothes for me, I didn’t need fittings because they knew what I liked to wear. They didn’t have to work on the music because they knew my voice and so I would just slip into the show. It was just fun.”
Ray Shasho: I always admired Dean Martin’s cool and laid-back persona.
Petula Clark:I think he was very talented. People sometimes thought that he wasn’t Sinatra or Jerry Lewis … but he had a very special talent, there was nobody quite like Dean. I’ve watched and worked with him often enough to see the skill of what he did. That sort of casual thing he did is not as easy as people think it is.”
Ray Shasho: Petula your latest album entitled … Lost in You is an absolute masterpiece and I gave it (5) stars. If I could give it more stars … I would. You are truly an amazing woman, you not only look as beautiful as ever, but you continue to sing as beautiful as ever.
Petula Clark: “Thank you! It was so easy to make this album. We made this in a tiny studio. It didn’t even look like a studio but almost sort of like a garden house. I think on a couple of tracks you could actually hear the birds in the garden because my vocal microphone was in front of a window. I could actually see flowers and birds and the cat chasing whatever he was chasing. It was only the engineer, John, and myself in that tiny studio. We didn’t go to Abbey Road or anything like that and frankly if you’ve got the right songs, the right engineer, and you’re feeling good… that’s all you need really. We had a little moment where John suggested that we do “Downtown” and I said no way. Then I had to go to Paris for a few days and when I returned he sat me down in the studio, pressed a button and said just listen to this. I said that’s really nice what is it? He said that’s “Downtown.” I said are you sure? He said just try singing it. And it was just like singing a new song. I don’t know if it quite works but it was interesting for me to do it.”
Ray Shasho: It was difficult to single out my favorite tracks on the album because they were all equally great. But if I had to name a few favorites … loved “Cut Copy Me”… “Next to You,” and your artistic and awe- inspiring rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine” which cleverly embraces Strawberry Fields-like overtones.
Petula Clark: “Well, I liked John and he was very sweet to me. When we were choosing songs for an album like this we said we should do some covers. One of them was “Downtown,” “Love Me Tender” because I met Elvis a few times and then John Williams the producer said how about a Beatles song? I said yes but there were so many to choose from. We tried “Blackbird” but I didn’t think it worked for me. I was very close to doing “Long and Winding Road” and then I thought, no, it’s got to be John. So “Imagine” is my tribute to him and it was my idea to do the Strawberry Fields bit.”
Ray Shasho: I think besides John’s original version of “Imagine,” I have to say that I enjoyed your cover version of the song better than any previous covers that I’ve heard.
Petula Clark: “Oh thank you! I loved singing it. I have sung it before but never recorded it before. But we’ve got it down now.”
Ray Shasho: “You penned the lyrics on “Reflections” a beautiful and heartfelt composition about how music became your life since a child in Wales. Talk about the song.
Petula Clark: “I wrote the lyrics and the guy who wrote the music is Johann Sebastian Bach. (All laughing) So I didn’t write the music. This was John Williams’s idea, he said why don’t we take a piece of classical music and put lyric to it. So he played me this piece by Bach and I thought, that’s beautiful, but who’s going to write the lyrics to that? He said well you are. I said oh really, well give me an idea. So he said make it very personal and so I did.”
Ray Shasho: I watched a collaboration you did with Irish rockers ‘The Saw Doctors’ on You Tube singing “Downtown.”
Petula Clark: “That was just having fun. I actually did my bit in Paris. I was doing a concert in Paris and wasn’t able to be with the guys.”
Ray Shasho: You also collaborated with French/Armenian singer Charles Aznavour recently?
Petula Clark: “I did a French album just before I did the English one. We were going to do a duet and I went along to his office, I know him quite well, and just as I was leaving he gave me this piece of paper with some lyrics and said write some music to this. I don’t take myself very serious as a songwriter but in this case I was writing the music. So I did the music to this Aznavour song which is actually quite pretty.”
Ray Shasho: Petula, here’s a question that I ask everyone that I interview and the responses are always fascinating. If you had a ‘Field of Dreams’ wish like the movie, to play, sing or collaborate with anyone from the past or present, who would that be?
Petula Clark: “Oh dear. It’s difficult to just pin one down because I’ve performed with a lot of great people. I wouldn’t mind performing with Pink Floyd. I did this thing in Dublin and got together with Roger Waters. We had a long chat together. Looking back …Pink Floyd was a great band. I don’t think it will ever happen but I think it would be fun to play with them.”
Ray Shasho: How about upcoming concert dates … I noticed various Australia dates in April and May and then limited engagements in Singapore and Canada?
Petula Clark: “Yes, April and May and I’m going to be doing some French dates too. For the moment that’s sort of it. They wanted me to do another UK tour in the spring next year but I don’t think I’ll be able to do that because I’ve got some French dates coming up. But I’d like to go into the studio again… that would be nice. I’ve talked to John and I’m going to London next week, so I’ll probably have some meetings with him and other people and do some songwriting.”
Ray Shasho: Petula one last question … and I know you should never discuss age with a woman, but you turned 81 last November. You look stunning and frankly sound better than ever. Do you have any secrets to share?
Petula Clark: “No secrets … I don’t do anything. Seriously I think I’m just lucky. I don’t think about age to be honest with you. I have no idea how old you are and I don’t care. Either you can do it or you can’t … it’s got not much to do with age frankly.”
Ray Shasho: Petula it’s been a real pleasure … thank you so much for being on the call today, but more importantly for all the incredible music you’ve given us and continue to bring.
Petula Clark: “Thank you very much Ray, I enjoyed it.”

Very special thanks to Claude Wolff
Petula Clark’s incredible new album Lost In You is available at amazon.com
Petula Clark official website
Petula Clark concert dates
Petula Clark on Facebook
Petula Clark on Twitter
Petula Clark on Myspace
Teenage Cancer Trust
Operation Music Aid

Coming up NEXT … My interview with Michael Pinder original keyboardist and founder of The Moody Blues

Contact classic rock music journalist Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com


Purchase Ray’s very special memoir called ‘Check the Gs’ -The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business … You’ll LIVE IT! Also available for download on NOOK or KINDLE edition for JUST .99 CENTS at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com - Please support Ray by purchasing his book so he can continue to bring you quality classic rock music reporting.

“Check the Gs is just a really cool story ... and it’s real. I’d like to see the kid on the front cover telling his story in a motion picture, TV sitcom or animated series. The characters in the story definitely jump out of the book and come to life. Very funny and scary moments throughout the story and I just love the way Ray timeline’s historical events during his lifetime. Ray’s love of rock music was evident throughout the book and it generates extra enthusiasm when I read his on-line classic rock music column on examiner.com. It’s a wonderful read for everyone!”stillerb47@gmail.com

© Copyright rayshasho.com. All Rights Reserved