There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy and a tragedy.
Ever read any Mark Twain? Go on, Google him.
A fascinating, talented and funny man, I was born in November 72 with music in my ears.
72 was a great year for songs. You had American Pie by Don McLean, Without You by Nilsson, Rocket Man by Elton John and the classic The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack.
My Dad was a guitarist and lead singer in a band, so I'm in good company. I always remember looking forward to going to see him play, watching him on stage and thinking how much fun that could be! I also used to enjoy having a go on the drummers kit! Don't think he liked it much though!
My Dad taught me all he knew, C-F-G. "Learn those chords son and you can play almost any song." He was right. After many hours of sitting down, picking out new chords, listening to songs, trying to figure them out, I felt confident I could write one of my own. It was called 'Fat Gentlemen'. Strange title, I know. Armed with a few more songs, and even more chords, me and a few school mates set up my first band. Pride of Place were born. The heady heights of school halls beckoned! What a blast that was.
After many years, and many demo's, we called it a day. Great times, and I wanted more.
I started to write and perform with a guy I'd heard about through a mutual friend. Lee Rogers became the Lennon to my McCartney. We bounced off each other really well. We wrote countless number of songs together, getting us interest from Japan, EMI and one of our songs even got us on the Big Breakfast! Remember that? It was a song about Kylie Minogue. Lilly Savage introduced us and even stood next to us dancing with a Kylie face on a stick! Bizarre.
We supported loads of top names like Dodgy, Travis, Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze. We toured Glasgow, London, many, many places, but never managed to get that one lucky break we so desired.
Soon after that I teamed up with another mate of mine, Graham, and started a Swing Duo. We both loved the music and thought we should have a go. My Dad always said I should do two 45 min sets and he was right, again! We signed up to an agency and did loads of gigs and played some fantastic places like the Royal Pavillion in Brighton, Hampton Court Palace in London and playing with a Big Band on the Bandstand in Statford-upon-Avon, to name but a few. More good times...
...but now I'm going it alone.
Hooray for me!
Simon