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Purleys Rock Legend
How is your world tour going?
Great. So far I’ve been to Russia, Australia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, France and Germany. Ironically it has rained at all three of the outdoor gigs!
so just like being at home then?
(He laughs) I suppose so! Mind you, I don’t really have a problem with rain. I think it is great that we get such a variety of weather in our country. Mind you it should be obvious that it rains all over Europe too – when you look out of the window and see all of the lush green landscapes and trees you know you must be somewhere
with a climate to go with it.
Touring clearly takes up a lot of your time. Do you get to spend much time at home
in Purley with your wife Eileen? I am looking forward to a few weeks back in the UK shortly before continuing the
tour – I feel ready for a break! I like Purley – I have lived there since 1974 and in my opinion if my parents are happy living there then I am too!
What do you like to do to relax?
Nowadays I like to just rest and spend quality time with my family. I used to keep koi carp but I sold them all recently.
Where else are you going on your tour? Later in the year I am doing some more venues in Europe – Oslo, Malmo and Amsterdam – and early next year I am lining up some UK dates.
You have written many songs over the years, where do you get your inspiration?
I find that if I am in the mood I can just start writing and the words just pour out. I call them songs but sometimes they just come as words to start with but I always try to make time to write them down. It is not unusual for me to get some ideas and by the time I get home I have written down the words and then stayed up into the night recording them. Sometimes I can record three tracks in one night which can be very gratifying. What I
have learnt over the years, and in particular working “live” so much, is that it pays to give the fans what they want. The real standards, the classics, like “Caroline” and “Paper Plane” have stood the test of time and are as popular now as they ever have been. I think that is the mark of a good song.
I have over the years tried out different styles and genres but at the end of the day it all comes back round full circle. The fans have put me, and the band, where we are on the back of songs they like and it only seems fair to give them more of what they want!
Do you prefer touring on your own or with Status Quo?
It is refreshing to do solo stuff. As the old adage goes “a change is as good as a rest”. Status Quo is a real physical commitment and gets harder every year – we are always told beforehand not to get ill (like we are going to get ill on purpose!) But the Quo British tour is a real tradition and we owe it to our hardcore British fans to make sure it goes ahead each year.
When you are touring do you ever forget where you are?
(Laughing) No, do you? Actually it can be confusing sometimes when you wake up in the night in a hotel room and you are half asleep and forget you aren’t at home. You get out of bed to go to the loo and suddenly realise it isn’t there!
Congratulations on getting your OBE this year. What does this recognition mean to you?
At first I was ashamed and very humbled. I thought some people would think that I didn’t deserve it when there are people out there doing much more worthy deeds every day, paramedics and the like. But I do think that awarding OBEs to entertainers does help maintain the profile of the award, it gets people talking about them so that those deserving members of the public who are less in the spotlight can feel that they have been truly recognised. But I can’t complain – it has been very good for the old career!
had you met the Queen before?
Yes I had met her quite a few times before. I am not particularly a royalist but I think she is awesome. She genuinely believes it is her birthright to be Queen and we are her subjects and the job of ruling the nation is something she was born to do. She is an amazing lady and I am not sure if there is anyone who could succeed her and do the job with the dedication that she demonstrates. Someone once worked out that she costs the nation £1.50 per person each year and in my opinion, based on what she does for this country in bringing income in I think she is a good investment.
You got rid of your famous ponytail last year. Have you any plans to grow it back?
Absolutely not! I had had long hair since I was sixteen and I am now in my sixties and to be frank I was glad to get rid of it. I am much happier without it. If nothing else when I get out of the shower I now takes seconds to dry it – a quick rub with a towel and it’s done!
Other than your tour, obviously, do you have anything else exciting coming up?
Yes, the Variety Club have organised a tribute lunch for Status Quo, which should be fun. The only thing is they have asked us to play at the lunch as well, even though it is
in our honour! (He laughs)
Do you think that is because they couldn’t book anyone else?
(Laughing again) Probably! No it will be an honour to play for them. We are really looking forward to it.
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How is your world tour going? Great. So far I’ve been to Russia, Australia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, France and Germany. Ironically it has rained at all three of the outdoor gigs! so just like being at home then? (He laughs) I suppose so! Mind you, I don’t really have a problem with rain. I think [...]
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