They Say It’s Your Birthday (No. 1): ALLAN WILLIAMS

August 13, 2020 WIYELondon Uncategorized 0

Many happy returns to the man who single-handedly kept Howard Jones solvent. Which sleeve designer’s work does he collect (clue: Bunk Dogger)? What did he win in a Radio 2 competition? Whose album sleeve does he feature on? And what’s his nomination for “the Greatest Record Ever Made”?

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Word In Your Ear

David Hepworth, Mark Ellen and chums cast an occasionally jaundiced eye over the goings-on in the worlds of music and entertainment.

Ian Broudie and the Lightning Seeds are about to set out on their 35th Anniversary Greatest Hits Tour – aka “beery parties”. He talks to us here about the first bands he ever saw and played in, which involves …

… memories of the Liverpool School of Language, Music, Dream and Pun.

… the secret of seeming enigmatic: “Never finish your sentences …”

… how Three Lions brought a whole new audience and the irony of a singer who didn’t front his biggest hit.

… why the Ramones and Talking Heads made him sell his old records.

… first requirement for success: “being able to make a fool of yourself”.

… when Captain Beefheart forgot he was booked for an art show and painted all the pictures the night before.

… how a part in a Ken Campbell play launched his career.

… seeing the Beatles, aged seven – “Shut your eyes and put your fingers in your ears”.

… when Eric’s in Mathew Street seemed the centre of the universe.

… “for the first time ever I’m not suffering from Imposter Syndrome – I AM THE SINGER!”

… Free, Pink Floyd, Elvis Costello, XTC, Big In Japan and the Sausages From Mars.

… making records that are “an Andy Warhol pop-art splash of colour on a wall”.