Woolleys Beat

One of life's true survivors, Hazel O'Connor has come a long way since feeling like a square peg in a round hole...

In this podcast recorded from her French retreat, Hazel looks back on her troubled years growing up which resulted in her rebelling against the system. Escaping to Amsterdam, Paris, Japan and Beirut before returning to England, she recalls that memorable Buzzcocks gig that set her on her musical path. She intimately chats about her big break starring alongside Jim Broadbent, Phil Daniels and Jonathan Pryce in Breaking Glass through to her admiration for David Bowie. She also reveals some great anecdotes, her dream of singing with Ed Sheeran and appearing on Strictly if she was ever asked.

Whether it's performing with her band members Sarah Fisher and Claire Hirst in her Breaking Glass - 40 years on - Hallelujah! tour or being reunited with Toyah for their long-awaited Electric Ladies of the 80's tour, she is back doing what she loves best. 

(Series 2: Episode 21)

For more information on tour dates, go to her website HERE

Want to listen to more 80's podcasts?

TONY HADLEY

CHERYL BAKER

LIMAHL

SHAKIN' STEVENS

EDDY GRANT

OWEN PAUL

PAUL YOUNG

MARK SHAW (THEN JERICO)

In the week that The Wanderer, a musical based on Dion’s life world premiers at the Tony Award-winning Paper Mill Playhouse on April 8th, 2021 and tells a story of transformation end personal redemption. we catch up with the man himself to talk about his latest album Blues With Friends and career to date...

Emerging from the Bronx in the fifties, Dion di Mucci talks candidly about how the death of his friend Frankie Lymon in 1968 turned his life around. Now 52 years later, Dion has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music business to pay homage to his love of Blues. Artists like Jeff Beck, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Joe Bonamassa, Samantha Fish, Stevie van Zandt, Brian Setzer - the list goes on. 

Dion also talks about as he calls it the 'British Infusion', when music from the early blues artists like Muddy Waters in America catapaulted these artists to Worldwide recognition. He also talks about his admiration for Sam Cooke which resulted in him writing Abraham, Martin and John.

Whether you are a lover of rock and roll, doo-wop or blues - then this podcast with one of the true original pioneers in music is a must!

SERIES 2 - EPISODE 18

Blues With Friends is out now. For more information, go to his website HERE

About Keeping The Blues Alive Records: The label is an offshoot of Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Joe Bonamassa’s non-profit that aims to conserve the art of music and the rich culture and history of the blues, recognized as a true American art form. Bonamassa along with his long-time manager, Roy Weisman, have taken the next step by creating a new record label, Keeping The Blues Alive (KTBA) Records. The label’s objective is to provide a platform for musical talent in blues and blues-rock-based music and helping promote the careers of extraordinary musical talent. The label works synergistically with the non-profit’s mission of supporting musicians to continue the legacy of the blues. 10% of all profits from KTBA Records will be donated to the non-profit. The label is an important step in the co-evolution of the music and the business of making it. It represents another of Bonamassa’s continuing efforts over the last 25 years in support the artistic community. It reflects the philosophy of paying it forward just as so many did for Joe in the hope of paving the way for blues-rock stars in the future. www.KTBArecords.com

Want to listen to more 60's legends?

MARTY WILDE

AL JARDINE (BEACH BOYS)

MARK WYNTER Pt.1

ANITA HARRIS

CRAIG DOUGLAS

In this podcast, we chat with Lee Wylding about his latest creation with Andie Packer called The Far North...

Following on from the success of their debut single This House Is Ours and second single ‘Runaway’ from their debut album ‘Songs For Gentle Souls’, the UK-based Americana duo The Far North will release their third single 'Branches' out on March 26th, 2021.

Formed in 2019 and evolving from the ashes of The Fireflys, whose grungey Americana won them many friends in the UK, solidified by a run of acclaimed albums. Following the band’s dissolution, and having spent some time in Canada and been influenced by acts such as City And Colour, Lee was keen to head in a more pared-down, acoustic direction, and began working with noted UK producer Nigel Stonier (famed for his work with such luminaries as Joan Baez, Lindisfarne, Robert Plant and Martha Wainwright). the result was Songs For Gentle Souls which has been going down a storm both sides of the Atlantic.

For all lovers of Americana, folk, and alternative country coming out of the UK in 2021, The Far North are leading the way.

For more information about the band, go to their social media page HERE

Series 2 Episode 19

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DANIELLE MORGAN

DANIEL JAMES

Eddy Grant has seen and done it all...from breaking new ground with his 60's multi-racial band The Equals to nurturing his love for Guyana and Caribbean music, including soca to ringbang.

In our first podcast of two, Eddy goes back to his roots when his band broke into the pop charts with Baby Come Back and talks intimately about those scary health traumas in his life which resulted in him having to quit the band. After the seven years of bad luck he broke the mould by becoming the first black musician to own his own studios. He also chats about his love and respect for his recently departed friends Toots Hibbert and Bunny Lee.

With his latest album Plaisance riding high in many charts, Eddy talks about what the singer-songwriter Carole King meant to him growing up as a kid in Guyana which resulted in writing Is Carole King Here, now released in its own right as a single.  .

Series 2 - Episode 17 (part 1 of a 2 part podcast)

For more information about Eddy Grant, visit his website HERE

Want to listen to more 80's podcasts?

TONY HADLEY

CHERYL BAKER

LIMAHL

SHAKIN' STEVENS

HAZEL O'CONNOR

OWEN PAUL

PAUL YOUNG

MARK SHAW (THEN JERICO)

As all fans of the 1980's will remember, Tony Hadley was the frontman of that decade's most successful bands...Spandau Ballet.

In this podcast, Tony talks about the early days of Spandau when sceptics said they would be one-hit wonders in the pop world. From Live Aid and his time in the jungle on I'm A Celebrity, he has done it all. Even singing at Joyce and Monty's wedding in the hit comedy Benidorm! Talking of Live Aid, Tony reveals an item of clothing he has found from that performance which he plans to auction off for his chosen charity soon.

With his latest single Obvious getting lots of radio airplay with it's upbeat and catchy vibe and a new single to be released shortly, his fans will be eagerly waiting for an upcoming tour by the 'Gold' man as lots of students have named him. 

TONY HADLEY PODCAST Series 2 Episode 16

For more information on Tony Hadley, visit his official website HERE

Want to listen to more 80's legends?

LIMAHL

CHERYL BAKER

SHAKIN' STEVENS

HAZEL O'CONNOR

EDDY GRANT

OWEN PAUL

PAUL YOUNG

MARK SHAW (THEN JERICO)

Judge Smith, Songwriter, Composer and Performer, has been making innovative, unusual and entertaining music since the late ’60s, when he co-founded the influential band Van der Graaf Generator...

Judge Smith co-founded the influential rock band Van der Graaf Generator in 1967 with singer-songwriter Peter Hammill, and since then has continued to be involved in numerous musical projects as writer, composer or performer.

During the ’70s and ’80s, he wrote several stage musicals in collaboration with composer Max Hutchinson: The Kibbo Kift was produced at the Traverse Theatre for the Edinburgh Festival of 1976 and at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield the following year. The Ascent of Wilberforce III was produced at the Traverse Theatre in 1981. Their musical Geraldo’s Navy was commissioned and accepted by Michael Rudman and David Aukin of the Hampstead Theatre Club, but not staged. The Ascent of Wilberforce III received a second production at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith in 1982.

Later the same year, the Lyric also presented Mata Hari, a music-theatre piece he co-wrote with (and which starred) singer Lene Lovich.

As a librettist, his works include the text for classical composer Joseph Horovitz’s oratorio Samson, premiered in a radio broadcast from the Albert Hall in 1977, short texts for works commissioned from the same composer by The Kings Singers, and the libretto for composer Michael Brand’s cantata Pioneer 10, performed at Birmingham Symphony Hall, 1992. Following a twenty-year collaboration with composer Peter Hammill, their opera The Fall of the House of Usher was finally completed, recorded and released in 1992, and in 1999, a revised and re-mastered recording was re-released on Fie! Records. More recently he wrote the lyrics and libretto for Twinkle a large scale children’s piece by David Jackson, and contributed lyrics to another of that composer’s works for children, The House That Cried.

His chamber opera The Book of Hours was directed by Mel Smith at the Young Vic Theatre, London in 1978. His short film The Brass Band, which he wrote and directed in 1974, has won several international awards.

His songs have been recorded by Peter Hammill and Lene Lovich and featured on the early ’80s TV comedy show Not the Nine O’Clock News. He has released eleven CDs, plus a DVD, which can be obtained from our on-line Shop. A list of his albums can be found on the Musicography page of this web site.

Prominent among these are the three albums written in the ‘Songstory’ format which he has developed as a new form of narrative rock music: Curly’s Airships (2000), The Climber (2009), and Orfeas (2011). His Requiem Mass for Rock band, Choir and Brass was written and published in 1975, but was not recorded until 2016.

In 2013 Judge published his first book, ‘The Universe Next Door’, and a further book on spirituality and the paranormal was published in 2014.

Series 2 Episode 15

To find out more about Judge Smith, visit his website.

One of Radio's longest working broadcasters, David 'Diddy' Hamilton talks about his varied and successful career who at the age of 82 is about to embark on a new daily radio show...

At the age of 82, many would think that it would be time to hang up those headphones but for David, it's not an option. Valentine's Day sees the broadcasting legend start a new daily radio show with Boom Radio playing all the great tunes from the era's which he loves.

In this interview, we talk about how he got his nickname, his love of Fulham including being offered megabucks for his personalised number plate by a professional footballer. He also reveals how he was destined to buy the beautiful home he fell in love with as a little boy and the secret of his youthful appearance. With a new book out, you can bet David will bring that up somewhere in the podcast!

For more information on David Hamilton, visit his website at www.davidhamilton.biz

Series 2, Episode 14

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MIKE READ

In our latest podcast. we talk with rising star Danielle Morgan about her latest EP Lockdown...

Danielle chats about her career and collaborations including working with John Merrigan and celebrated LA producer TheRealJohnSmith as well as recording at the famous Abbey Road Studios. Earlier in 2020 she helped write and perform for the new hit musical drama set to a World War One backdrop. 

Based on an original play by Eddie Alford, The Story of Love in the Harbour is a moving musical dramatization of the romance between George McElroy, a British RAF Officer and Grace Guinan, a young Irish girl, who fight with a passion to preserve their love at a time of huge change and turmoil. Set in WW1 on the front-line in France, and in rural Ireland, the action is conveyed through stirring scene enactments on stage, compelling narration and vivid images of the period – all designed to inspire and move the audience. The beautiful all-original music and lyrics, performed live by Danielle Morgan and orchestra, convey powerful emotions that lead us to reflect on the true meaning of heroism, sacrifice and love – timeless themes still relevant today.

With writing over 70 songs to her credit, Danielle and her new band are making a big impact on the scene with her music sang with passion and attitude.

Series 2 - Episode 13

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THE FAR NORTH

DANIEL JAMES

One of the UK's rising stars, Danielle Morgan has come a long way since performing in Dubai...

From learning her craft at the BRIT School to recording her first EP at Abbey Road, the singer-songwriter is now starting to get the attention her talent deserves. Collaborations with the likes of celebrated LA producer TheRealJonSmith and manager husband John Merrigan, Danielle is making a big impact in the UK and internationally, sharing her music, performed with passion and attitude. 

With over 70 self-penned songs already to her credit, her latest EP entitled Lockdown is sure to get further attention to her incredible career plus the acclaimed World War One musical story called Love In The Harbour of which Danielle and Fat Dan Music have written the music for. Coming to a stage near you soon!

Series 2 - Episode 13

Winning the hearts of millions of fans in the 80s as the lead singer of British band Kajagoogoo, Limahl enjoyed the instant celebrity of hitting the top of the charts with his debut single Too Shy and the brilliant Giorgio Moroder produced worldwide smash Neverending Story. In this podcast, we chat with Limahl about his early career with his former band Kajagoogoo and how he felt about being sacked plus appearing in a cameo role with Adam Ant for a pop video. He also recalls his chance meeting with Giorgio Moroder in Japan which resulted in him flying over to Munich to record Neverending Story, which became a worldwide smash. Limahl also reveals some interesting anecdotes about his brief appearance on I'm A Celebrity. With his latest single 'One Wish For Christmas' taking seven years in the making and getting extensive airplay on radio and youtube, it seems Limahl is back where he wants to be. A never-ending story perhaps? Limahl thinks so! 

SEASON 2 EPISODE 11

For more information on Limahl, visit his official website at www.limahl.com 

Want to listen to more 80's legends? 

CHERYL BAKER (BUCKS FIZZ) 

SHAKIN' STEVENS

TONY HADLEY

EDDY GRANT

HAZEL O'CONNOR

OWEN PAUL

PAUL YOUNG

MARK SHAW (THEN JERICO)