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      Rock frontman reveals ‘homecoming’ tour in UK after ‘leaving things unsaid’ about band’s savage break-up 15 years ago

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      LEGENDARY frontman Richard Ashcroft is heading back out on tour – 15 years since his break-up from The Verve. During the height of the Britpop era in the 90s, The Verve charmed audiences with hits including Bittersweet Symphony and The Drugs Don’t Work. The Verve were one of the most defining British bands of the 90sCredit: GettyRichard Ashcroft is heading on a homecoming tour later this yearCredit: Getty – ContributorSince their break-up in 1999, Richard Ashcroft has arguably seen the most success from his efforts, releasing six albums since 2000, all of which made it into the UK Top 5. In 2019 he was recognised by the Ivor Novellos for his outstanding contribution to music. Now, the Wigan native is heading back on the road again – with massive dates on his home turf. “After 25 years, I’m back playing in my hometown,” Richard said. “Looking forward to an amazing night inWigan.”READ MORE MUSICThe star will be playing two dates at Wigan’s Robin Park on Saturday 20 July and Sunday 21 July. Cast, Redrum and Maxwell Varey will support him on Saturday, with The Zutons, The Royston Club and Stanleys supporting him on Sunday. Tickets to Saturday’s show has already sold out, prompting them to add the second date. With the release of their 1997 album Urban Hymns, the group – with Ashcroft as front man, guitarist Nick McCabe, bass guitarist Simon Jones and drummer Peter Salisbury – became international success stories. Most read in MusicThey won Brit awards for best British band, were nominated for a Grammy for Bittersweet Symphony and even knocked Oasis off the number one spot in the UK charts. However, just two years later the band had bitterly split, with physical fights among their numerous issues. After one fight in Dusseldorf, McCabe quit the band while they were on tour, and after that the band began to fizzle out – suffering a further setback when Massive Attack pulled out of their US tour. Officially breaking up in 1999, the band since made attempts to reunite, but largely found success with their own solo projects. When asked if they would ever reform, Ashcroft joked: “You’re more likely to get all four Beatles on stage.”However, they did reunite from 2007 to 2009 before going their separate ways again. None of the band have ever given a definitive answer behind their break-up, with Ashcroft acknowledging to NME that there were “things left unsaid” back in 2018. “If you wanted me to give clarity on why or what was the main factor, what I’d be doing was changing… I made a decision quite a number of years ago that I’d see how it pans out,” he told Radio X.“I’ll see if any other member tries to re-write history, you know. I’ll see how many bizarre takes on events stack up and then maybe one day I’ll go: ‘You know what? I’ll write the book’.”READ MORE SUN STORIESIn the same chat, he later added: “There was real people’s lives. It was real emotions, and I’ve never really thought about completely clarifying it because I know the damage that clarifying it will do.“So I am prepared to take any bizarre misshapen f**ked-up version of that reality said by anyone,” he concluded.
      “Any ex member of the band can say what the fuck they like, because I know the truth and I’m cool with it. And I know what I’ve done since the band, and I know what I’ll continue to do. Judge me by my works…”
      The star has been celebrated for his contribution to British musicCredit: Getty Images – GettyAshcroft will be performing two massive hometown shows in JuneCredit: Alan MacGregor Ewing – The Sun GlasgowThe band fell apart at the seams in 1999Credit: Getty More

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      Sam Fender gives major update on his third album after fearing he rushed his chart topping second record

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      IT has been a while since Sam Fender dropped his chart-topping album Seventeen Going Under but don’t expect to hear the follow-up any time soon.The Geordie rocker has admitted he feels like he rushed the release of that record in 2021 and wants to take his time with his third album – so it surpasses all expectations.Sam Fender admitted he feels like he rushed the release of that record in 2021 and wants to take his time with his third albumCredit: Tom FarmerSam said: “We have been recording and recording and making loads of stuff but it got to the point where I thought, ‘We don’t need to get this out yet. We need to get it right’.“For the second one we rushed to get that out and the third one we started rushing and I thought, ‘No, we have got to take the time’.“I want to do the best I possibly can. I’d rather it be late and great than early and s**te.”But he added: “What we have got so far I am absolutely over the moon with but I want to give it that bit more time and more thought.”Read More on ShowbizDuring an interview on Johnson And Knopfler’s Music Legends,on Sky Arts, 10pm tomorrow, he revealed being bullied at school gave him the drive to succeed.Sam said: “Schoolyard bullying is what makes a rock star. It is either going to put you down or it is going to make you work harder for it.”Vera fans open-mouthed after unearthing forgotten pop star cameo that ended in disasterGirls are red-dy for reunionGIRLS ALOUD have their glad rags on, ready to kick off their reunion tour this month.Nicola Roberts, Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle have been locked in rehearsals for weeks ahead of opening night in Dublin on May 17.Most read in BizarreGirls Aloud have their glad rags on, ready to kick off their reunion tour this monthCredit: Shark BeautyIt will be the first time they have toured since 2013 and comes 22 years after they were put together on TV talent show Popstars: The Rivals, so it’s been a long time coming.They posed in red and pink gowns as they announced Shark Beauty as the official hair sponsor of their tour.It means the brand’s tools will be used for all 30 dates across the UK and Ireland, but luckily they still have a glam squad on hand, so they won’t have to sort their barnets themselves.The girls looking better than ever, so I am expecting big things from this comeback.Blue Ivy hopes for roaring successBEYONCE and Jay-Z’s eldest daughter Blue Ivy is striking out on her own after landing her first movie role.Just 12, she will voice the character of Kiara in upcoming live action movie Mufasa: The Lion King.Jay-Z with his eldest daughter Blue Ivy, who has landed her first movie roleCredit: AFPIt’s not her first foray into showbiz, as Blue Ivy earned a Guinness World Record in 2012 for the youngest person to have made the US Billboard chart when her baby coos featured on Jay-Z’s song Glory.Then she won a Grammy for featuring on Bey’s 2020 song Brown Skin Girl and in 2023 joined mum on stage. Beats going to school like the rest of us had to.Insta slip up leaves fans in Mel-t downWE all know someone who has made slip-ups on social media or sent messages to the wrong people.So spare a thought for superstar Barbra Streisand, who did just that in front of millions of people – and left Melissa McCarthy mortified.Barbra Streisand left Melissa McCarthy mortified in the processCredit: CBS Sunday morningMelissa with director pal Adam ShankmanCredit: Instagram/melissamccarthyThe Bridesmaids actress, who is noticeably slimmer, shared the snap on Instagram on Monday of herself attending a gala for artistic director Matthew Bourne with director pal Adam Shankman.Babs commented on the snap with what was clearly supposed to be a private message, writing: “Give him my regards, did you take Ozempic?”Fans were gobsmacked by the remark about the weight loss jab and Barbra later deleted it, but not before thousands of people had “liked” it and taken screenshots.Neither Babs nor Melissa have said anything about the faux pas, but I doubt Babs will be making that mix-up again.But good on her for being able to use social media aged 82. Not everyone is that clued up. READ MORE SUN STORIESTime to get her on TikTok doing some dances.Perhaps Melissa can join her to bury the hatchet. More

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      Nineties rock star, 57, has barely aged a day since band’s heyday and accusing superstar ex of cheating on her

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      SHE was part of one of the coolest female-led groups of the 90s and inspired an all-time modern rock classic.And 30 years on from Veruca Salt’s first scuzzy anthems, co-frontwoman Louise Lightner Post has barely aged a day.Louise Lightner Post founded Veruca Salt with Nina GordanCredit: InstagramThe musician is currently touring solo materialCredit: InstagramThe 57-year-old is still making music, now as a solo artist backed by her band The Smokeshow, after Veruca Salt went on an indefinite hiatus.The cult 90s band – Post, fellow frontwoman Nina Gordon, bassist Steve Lack and drummer Jim Shapiro – emerged at the tail end of the decade’s grunge glory years with debut album American Thighs.The follow up album in 1997 had a more commercial sheen courtesy of super producer Bob Rock, who had worked on massive albums with Metallica, Motley Crue and Bon Jovi.Just a year after their commercial zenith, a bitter row between Post and Gordon saw the latter leave the group in favour of a solo career.READ MORE ON ROCK MUSIC Veruca Salt went through numerous line-up changes in the years that followed, before calling it a day in 2012.The following year the original line-up made a comeback, delighting alt-rock fans. It led to a new album in 2015, Ghost Notes, bringing the group full circle, however, there are no plans for any more music.Post previously told Glide Magazine: “Veruca Salt was on an indefinite hiatus and still is. There’s nothing negative happening except that we’re not creating music together. We don’t all live in the same city and the stars aren’t aligned for the moment.”She has since released her first solo record, 2023’s Sleepwalker.Most read in Music”The solo record was demanding to be made,” she said. “It wasn’t that I set out necessarily to create, write and release a solo record. I felt more like there was no escaping it.”Nineties band Veruca Salt performs Volcano GirlsROCK CLASSICIn the late 90s Louise hit it off with former Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl.The pair enjoyed an intense relationship that ultimately inspired the Foos’ best-loved track, Everlong.Grohl told Kerrang in 2006: “That song’s about a girl that I’d fallen in love with, and it was basically about being connected to someone so much that not only do you love them physically and spiritually, but when you sing along with them you harmonise perfectly.”Post has previously spoken of a late night call she had with Grohl while the anthem was in production.She shared an edit of a recording in which she could be heard singing backing vocals.We don’t all live in the same city and the stars aren’t aligned for the moment.Louise PostWriting on the Veruca Salt band page on Instagram, she said: “I sang these back-ups over the phone at 2am after being woken up from a deep sleep in Chicago by DG who was tracking the vocals for ‘Everlong’ in LA. He wanted me to sing the doo-doo’s”He wanted me to sing the doo-doo’s, which were inspired by [Veruca Salt’s] song ‘Shimmer Like A Girl’. While I was at it, I wrote a harmony for the chorus and sang that too.”“The whispered section of this song was originally the dream I was having when the phone rang. It was a dream about us. [Grohl] later removed it and replaced with his own whispers, one which was a love letter to me.”Maybe I’ll tell the full story…eventually…if I feel like it. But I just came across this post and thought I would share for anyone who is interested.”The pair’s romance came to an end over the phone when Grohl called Post while she was on tour in Australia. He would soon go on to date Hollywood actress Winona Ryder prompting Post to accuse him of cheating.The heartache appeared to be referenced on Veruca Salt’s 2000 track Disconnected, which has the lyrics: “It’s kind of scary when your lover leaves you for a movie star.” READ MORE SUN STORIESSeemingly distancing the episode from the song, Post would later tell the Sydney Morning Herald: “People definitely read things into my songs. It was a private relationship, but it got so much publicity. I didn’t mean for it to happen. I’m friends with him now.”Veruca Salt were a popular alt-rock band in the 90sCredit: GettyLouise once dated Foo Fighters frontman Dave GrohlCredit: GettyDave allegedly ended things to dated Winona RyderCredit: Getty More

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      Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood reveals best high of his life after ditching drugs & how music legend has been advising band

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      HE was known as one of rock’s most prolific party animals who wrote the rulebook for hedonism.But Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood is now more likely to be found sipping on a green juice and bingeing episodes of Ripley on Netflix.Ronnie Wood pictured with The Sun’s Ellie HenmanRock legend Mick Jagger leads the Rolling Stones as they perform in HoustonCredit: Suzanne CordeiroIn fact, Ronnie admits the best highs he’s ever had are after playing to tens of thousands of fans — many of whom have flown from the UK to the US, like me, to watch the band kick off their huge Hackney Diamonds tour in Houston, Texas.In an exclusive chat from the NRG Stadium, where more than 72,000 of us were packed in for the first night of the 19-date US tour, Ronnie says: “The adrenalin high is stronger than any drug or alcohol.“The natural high is the best one you can have, it exceeds drugs or alcohol.“I like to have my green juices now and I do workouts with my trainer just light workouts and stretches to keep my circulation going, which is what you need when you’re older. READ MORE ON ROCK MUSIC“It’s always a big party on the road but I like to have my quiet time. I’m addicted to Ripley.”Alongside bandmates Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Ronnie tore through a mega 18-song set list on Sunday night, with Angry and Sweet Sounds Of Heaven the only two tracks from Hackney Diamonds which made the set list of classics.It’s an impressive feat, given Mick and Keith were 80 last year while Ronnie turns 77 in June.“We owe it to our fans to include as many big songs as we can,” explains Ronnie. Most read in Bizarre“But we like to mix up the old and the new, that is what we love to do.”The trio have spent the past month rehearsing in Los Angeles and Ronnie reveals they had a little help from old pal Sir Paul McCartney, who features on Hackney Diamonds track Bite My Head Off.Loose Women’s Denise Welsh reveals son Matty Healy missed her wedding to Lincoln Townley to support Rolling StonesOld pal Sir Paul McCartney has been a big help for the StonesCredit: Splash News“Paul is so great and really supportive,” Ronnie tells me. “He came to a few rehearsals and gave us some really nice input.“Paul threw me and (my wife) Sally a going away party from LA. “He invited Neil Young as my surprise guest at the dinner. “It was so lovely.“He is an old buddy of mine and I haven’t seen him in years.“We’re going to get together again in Louisiana and go to the New Orleans blues festival.”He adds: “We really had our noses to the grindstone in LA and we rehearsed for five weeks.“We have been getting back into the mode of playing stadiums.”This tour, which celebrates No1 album Hackney Diamonds, comes two years after the Stones last played in the UK on their 60th anniversary tour, which included a massive show at BST Hyde Park.And although we are 5,000 miles from home, Ronnie — who has six kids and six grandchildren — is making the gigs a family affair, with his seven-year-old twin girls with Sally joining him on the road.Ronnie says: “My little twin girls, they are both just so lovely.“I’ve got all my family out here, all my elder kids and the grandkids as well. It is amazing.“Everyone is so keen to see Grandad play with his mates.”To make the tour even more memorable, Ronnie reveals his son Tyrone will also be getting married this summer, to American businesswoman Faye Harris.“Ty and Faye are getting married straight after the tour,” Ronnie says with a smile. “That is going to be amazing.”After six decades on the road together, you’d forgive most bands for needing to spend more time apart.But the camaraderie among the Stones is clear to see, with Mick grabbing hold of Ronnie and squeezing him so tightly I thought his eyes might pop out as they took a final bow on stage.After losing drummer Charlie Watts in 2021, the trio are now joined on the road by Steve Jordan, who more than earns his stripes on stage, while backing singer Chanel Haynes gives Lady Gaga a run for her money with her vocals on Sweet Sounds Of Heaven.And it is obvious to see that the friendship between Mick, Keith and Ronnie, who have sold 200million records worldwide and notched up eight No1 singles and 14 No1 albums as the Stones, is only getting stronger.Drummer Steve Jordan, far right, has joined the Stones on the road after they lost Charlie Watts in 2021Credit: Suzanne Cordeiro“Being with Mick and Keith, I’ve learned about the ups and downs of true friendship,” Ronnie says with a laugh. “But with all the ups and downs, with being misread, you just sort it out. “As long as you address things and keep it fresh and honest, that is all that you can do.“Mick rang me yesterday and we were talking about the production rehearsal and it was like fresh, it was like he was a new pal and we’ve known each other for all those years.“The funny thing is, we are always trying to get better. We are always trying to brush up. “It is all from the heart, that is where we get everything.”

      Start Me Up
      Get Off Of My Cloud
      Rocks Off
      Out Of Time
      Angry
      Beast Of Burden
      Mess It Up
      Tumbling Dice
      Can’t Always Get What
      You Want
      Little T&A
      Sympathy For The Devil
      Gimme Shelter
      Honky Tonk Women
      Miss You
      Paint It Black
      Jumpin’ Jack Flash

      ENCORE

      Sweet Sounds Of Heaven
      (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

      CAUGHT LIVEROLLING STONES @ The NRG Stadium, Houston★★★★★IT’S 80 and not out for the Rolling Stones, who proved age really is just a number as they kicked off the first night of their Hackney Diamonds tour.Frontman Mick was on top form as he repeatedly flashed his rock-hard stomach muscles, much to the delight of the deafening crowd, including one woman who repeatedly shrieked: “Mick, I want to have your babies,” in my left ear.It’s clear that Ronnie and the Stones still have it – in spadesCredit: Suzanne CordeiroThe group set the tone from the off, with Start Me Up whipping their fans up into a frenzy before the Stones took them on a whistlestop tour of some of the best songs from their sprawling back catalogue.Hackney hits Angry and Sweet Sounds Of Heaven already sound like classics, with the killer vocals of Chanel Haynes bringing everyone in the crowd to their feet.Her incredible range and energy pairs perfectly with Mick and I felt shivers when they performed Gimme Shelter, and watching her parents’ reaction next to me in the crowd made it all the more special.Keith and Ronnie’s excellence in their craft shines through on Beast Of Burden and Miss You, with the former nailing his vocals on Little T&A.And those green juices seemed to have done Ronnie the world of good, as he ran up and down a huge central platform with ease while lapping up the cheers from the crowd.(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction was the perfect ending to a brilliant night of live music.Their wrinkles might be deeper and their knees a little achier but the Stones are still giving musicians a quarter of their age a run for their money when it comes to playing live.There is nothing else to say but, the Stones still have it. In spades.SIR Mick gives a sweet nod to his late partner L’Wren Scott on the tour, wearing clothes, including jazzy sequined jackets and blazers from one of her favourite designers, Jayne Hayward.L’Wren and Mick dated for around 13 years until her death in 2014.Keith chose classic pieces from Dior and Celine and, like Mick, also wore some from Dries Van Noten’s archive.While Ronnie had a wardrobe handmade for him by designer Daniel James, who interprets keen artist Ronnie’s work into his clobber.FRONTMAN Mick was supported at the show by his long-term girlfriend Melanie Hamrick and energetic son Deveraux.The former ballerina shared videos on Instagram account, including one of the seven-year-old doing dance moves as his dad strutted in front of him on stage.He said on stage: “It’s been a great few days in Houston.“I took an amazing trip to the space center. That was great.”Then referencing an obscure brand of Texan cereal, he added: “I was a bit disappointed there were no Beaver Nuggets there.”Catastrophe for DojaDOJA Cat was all fur coat and just knickers as she made a kooky appearance on a red carpet.She turned up carrying a battered old suitcase and holding a half- drunk glass of wine – which isn’t far off what I looked like as I made it to the airport in Houston today to fly back to London after a night with the Rolling Stones.READ MORE SUN STORIESDoja Cat sported a rather odd look to the Daily Front Row Awards in Los AngelesCredit: APDoja wore this quirky get-up to the Daily Front Row Awards in Los Angeles, which is supposed to be an event celebrating fashion.If that’s what the catwalks are after this season, perhaps I’ve got a future as a model after all. More

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      Brit indie band reveal they’ve split up after massive fallout – saying ‘it got worse and worse’

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      ONE BRIT indie band has now revealed they’ve split up after massive fallout. The group was originally formed in 2011 and one of their songs was chosen for the closing credits of the film T2 Trainspotting.Fat White Family who previously performed at Glastonbury in 2015 have now previously split upCredit: BBCLead vocalist Lias Saoudi is now completing promo work for the new album aloneCredit: Substack / The New Cue
      Fat White Family first came together in Peckham and now they have released their fourth album, Forgiveness Is Yours. But despite the new music, it now seems the band are no more according to front-man Lias Saoudi, who is completing interviews on his own. He told The New Cue newsletter on Substack: “I’m doing it all on my own this time which has been a new thing. It’s been alright, I try to not repeat myself too often.”Die-hard fans might notice that co-founder and musical director Saul Adamczewski is absent from the new record.READ MORE ON INDIE MUSICHe also declared that the working relationship between his band-mates Saul and brother Nathan Saoudi has completely broken down. The vocalist confirmed: “There’s been a complete breakdown in that kind of original triumvirate of me, Nathan and Saul. That’s just completely broken down now. “It broke down a long time ago with Saul, we resuscitated it for a bit, and then it broke down again, and then we resuscitated again, and now it’s absolutely dead in the water. There’s no love lost there anymore.”The rock singer also said that the group had no ‘way of resolving conflict,’ and he slammed some of the experience in the group to be like “eating grass.”Most read in Music”The alienation thickens and we just didn’t we didn’t have any way of resolving conflict,” he told the outlet. “People used to give Saul the nod because he was the one with the cool references and the melodic sensibility, but after he was out of the picture it got to a point where you were just in this infinite psychological headlock.”Lias added: “It sucked all of the life and joy out of it. It felt like you were eating glass. It was not like a pleasant experience. Nineties pop frontwoman, 52, has barely aged a day in 28 years since hit song – as she reunites with indie icon”There were periods where it would explode forward a little bit and there’d be excitement and then I don’t know what would happen but it would get swallowed up in the ego black hole.”Although, despite the difficulties he still insists the band were determined to complete the new album. “I just think you have to finish, though,” he declared. “You lose a member, you lose another member, you just have to finish. I think like that with projects generally. “You can’t just flounce out on your own elaborate psychodrama that you’ve concocted. This is what you f****** signed up for.”But here we are. It doesn’t make it any less egregious.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe lead singer of the group admitted the members have had a huge fall outThe group have just released their fourth album Forgiveness Is Yours More

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      Eddy Grant reveals he’s writing book about his life and has next TWO albums recorded – but calls touring ‘hell’

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      MUSIC legend Eddy Grant has revealed that he is writing a book about his life and already has his next two albums recorded.The classic album Killer on the Rampage was released over forty years ago and it has finally made it’s way to streaming platforms, much to the delight of fans.Eddy is widely recognised for his contributions to many genres from Reggae to PopCredit: Getty – ContributorEddy’s song-writing often carried a political message as much as it was commercialCredit: GettyThe Equals were the first successful interracial rock group in the UKCredit: GettyThe album has achieved a high following on Spotify with hit song Electric Avenue gaining over 20,000 streams attracting both long-time Eddy Grant fans and a new wave of listeners.Speaking exclusively with The Sun about the re-released album, Eddy said: “Well it’s open to a new listenership not only of the young, but also those who didn’t have the opportunity to grab the album.“Music and culture has changed significantly since that record and many of its time, so the chances are that it will do exceedingly well because it has done so without any help.“I’m happy about it.”Read More On Music StarsThe 76-year-old musician of Guyanese descent is widely recognised for his contributions to many genres from Reggae to Pop becoming a musical icon who dominated the eighties with his many successful hits.  The singer-songwriter has released fifteen studio albums with Killer on the Rampage achieving worldwide success at number ten on the Billboard 200 chart in the US.Eddy discussed some of his upcoming projects revealing that he’s already got two new albums recorded, he said: “There’s always Eddy Grant projects I mean I’ve got my next two albums recorded.“The albums will come but first we’ve got the business of getting the past into the streaming environment so that we’re not falling all over ourselves.”Most read in MusicAs well as announcing two new albums the music star revealed that he is in the process of writing an autobiography which will document his incredible life. “It’s hell, I mean I’ve been writing for years, I mean because it’s a lot of variation in themes and in times and in music’s and in culture and all of that.“You are also dealing with people and that’s one of the things about writing an autobiography because relationships change over time, go from good to bad and bad to good.“But I suppose eventually it must get to a point where even if I’m going to have to do two or three books, the first one must come out and I’m trying my hardest.”Watch Eddy Grant perform smash hit Electric Avenue As a trailblazer in the music industry Eddy has wowed crowds all over the world, but confesses that being on tour is no walk in the park.Describing tour as “hell” the music legend said: “Preparing for touring is hell, simply because again cross-genre music requires cross-genre people, yeah or else you’re not really getting very far.“So it takes a lot of preparation, as much as I love to play, the bringing together, the finding those people is very very difficult for me and it has made me not tour as much as.“Some time has been lost with me in touring and that but again, at the end of the day it’s a question of what will survive, the records survive.“I have to put an emphasis more on making recordings than on touring-touring is hell.”When asked if he would do another one, he said: “Maybe I’ll do it next year or maybe I’ll do it when I’m 80, I don’t know but I try to keep fit that should the occasion arise, I can take the stress.”Eddy’s song-writing often carried a political message as much as it was commercial.The iconic track Electric Avenue topped the UK charts in 1982 and is an homage to the first market street to be lit by electricity located in the London district of Brixton.Electric Avenue highlighted tensions over racism and povertyCredit: Getty Images – Getty“Electric Avenue is a special place to Brixton because of what it signified, the electrification of the place.“It’s become a cultural icon, invariably because the record did so well and it’s carried a very strange name to many parts of the world.When asked about the current gentrification of Brixton, Eddy said: “Well, first of all nobody likes to be gentrified because invariably it causes some loss. “I think Brixton will survive and will survive very nicely because most of us who know it today won’t be around when that time comes which is sad, but it’s a reality.”The famed musician was a member of The Equals, a multi-racial band of the 60s, who had smash hits like I Get So Excited and Baby Come Back, which sold over a million copies.Much like their song Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys, The Equals were the first successful interracial rock group to come out of the UK, a concept that was so alien at the time. Eddy shared his thoughts on what it felt like being in the band, he said:  “It was like stepping out of the satellites or whatever it is, the rockets that they send up to the moon or these places,  it was like stepping out into the vacuum of space. “My father actually told me, he says I don’t know why you’re wasting your time with that, because England doesn’t have a place for one like you and I said, no, England’s got to make a place for one like me.”The hitmaker has inspired many artists over the years including rock band The Clash who covered his track Police Is On My Back.“People cover the songs and they like it, they don’t like it, some I like, some I don’t, I like The Clash’s Police On My Back,” says Eddy. “I also like the Asian Dub Foundation’s cover of Police On My Back, that particular song has had a hell of a lot of covers all over the world.”When asked if he had ever declined a request to sample or cover his music, he said: “Only if they’ve tried to steal it occasionally it happens and then the artist blames the management.”As a master of genre-fusion Eddy has become a pioneer for a host of music styles such as Reggae, Soca and Pop.In 1994, he took his innovation to the next level by creating his own genre Ringbang- a Caribbean fusion of music. The singer shared his thoughts on the impact that heritage can play in connecting with audiences and inspiring future generations.He emphasised the importance of artists embracing and sharing their cultural pride, saying:  “All that the musician does if he’s doing it genuinely is playing himself.“Whatever his cultural content is that’s ideally what you play but in some cases like my case for example you’re ‘trans-genre-ing’, you’ve been a part of so many cultures that it’s an amalgam.“Again, this is one of the things that I’m writing in my book.“It’s interesting what happens when culture travels.” READ MORE SUN STORIESLast week, Eddy spoke at the British Library as part of the Beyond the Bassline: 500 years of Black British music exhibition, delving into the importance of many topics in the music world.You can check out his talk here: https://www.blplayer.co.uk/eventlink/796/Onb53ZkC#video-iframeThe hitmaker has inspired many artists over the yearsCredit: GettyIn 1994 he created his own music genre RingbangCredit: Mission Pictures More

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      Inside the Beckhams’ love for art as family pose for pic in London home next to £3m artwork to mark Victoria’s birthday

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      THEY posed in their finery for the perfect family portrait last weekend.Victoria Beckham was turning 50 and, in true Posh Spice style, lit up Instagram by posting a snap of her with husband David and their children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper in the hallway of their £30million West London home.Victoria Beckham posted a snap of her with husband David and their children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper in the hallway next to a painting by Richard PrinceCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskBut despite splashing out an estimated £250,000 on the party at swanky private members’ club Oswald’s, in London’s Mayfair, it seems Posh likes her money where she can see it — hanging on her walls.David is stood proudly in the family portrait next to a huge painting which depicts a nurse dripping in blood.It is understood that this work is by one of the Beckhams’ favourite artists, American painter and photographer Richard Prince. The canvas, reckoned to have a £3million price tag, is said to be from Prince’s series of artworks Nurses, which show white-uniformed figures based on 20th-century pulp novels.READ MORE IN SHOWBIZElsewhere, a drawing believed to be by Salvador Dali and worth an estimated £100,000 hangs beneath their stairs.The provocative piece shows two bodies merging together when the Spanish artist began experimenting with erotica themes. Our art insider told us: “The pencil drawing appears to be from Dali and shows the body parts entwined in a provocative manner.’Taken seriously’“It is a statement that the Beckhams want to be taken seriously as collectors — especially given where it is placed.Most read in Bizarre“People hang their favourite art in two places — above the fire-place and near a staircase — so everyone will see it.”They added: “David and Victoria clearly enjoy surrealism, and provocative pieces, and are interested in street art, pop art and American culture. David Beckham broke major rule at Victoria Beckham’s star-studded 50th birthday bash with video of Spice Girls performing Stop”But the Beckhams are also keen to support up-and-coming artists.”They now frequent some of the major international galleries.Our source added: “Their taste is evolving from commercial Mayfair galleries to the likes of Gagosian and White Cube, which is considered a step up in the art world.”Speaking last year about her growing interest in art, Victoria told Harper’s Bazaar magazine: “It’s not football, it’s not fashion, it’s not music — it’s something totally different that David and I are enjoying learning about together.“I’m not pretending to be the greatest expert but I’m really enjoying learning.”The Beckhams are clearly huge fans of Richard Prince’s work, after they commissioned a piece by him which showed Posh in the Spice Girls video for the band’s 1996 hit, Say You’ll Be There.David was in a hotel room with his then Manchester United and England teammate Gary Neville when the video was showing on TV at the time and it was at this moment that he pointed at Victoria on the screen and said: “I’m going to marry that one.”She added: “We have a few of Richard’s pieces but this one is especially cool because it’s of me as Posh Spice.”I have no doubt Victoria will be picking up her own paintbrush very soon.MICK JAGGER looked out of this world in this Instagram of his visit to Nasa HQ.Mick Jagger dropped by the Nasa HQ in Houston ahead of the Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds tourCredit: InstagramThe Rolling Stones frontman dropped by at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas before the band kicked off their Hackney Diamonds tour of North America in the city.He captioned his snap: “Thanks @nasa for being so welcoming to us and great to be shown around by astronauts Josh Cassada, Bob Hines and Jessica Meir.”BLUE IS NEW JADEJADE THIRLWALL was feeling far from blue, although wearing a whole load of it, as she appeared on set to film the video for her debut solo single.The Little Mix star looked unrecognisable in a huge faux fur coat and blonde beehive wig for the shoot in London.Jade Thirlwall looked unrecognisable in a blue faux fur coat and blonde beehive wigCredit: SplashThe star was seen filming the video for her debut solo singleCredit: SplashShe was joined by her Rizzle Kicks singer boyfriend Jordan Stephens.It comes after I revealed the name of her upcoming single, Angel Of My Dreams, which also includes a dig at her former boss, X Factor king Simon Cowell.It features the telling line: “Sold my soul to a SyCo” – a reference to Simon’s now- defunct record label, which the pop band quit in 2018.I expect lots of Easter eggs in the video.SHE had a Top 10 hit with her debut solo single Forget About Us two weeks ago, but Perrie Edwards is now plotting her next big offering.Perrie Edwards is now planning a video for follow-up single TearsCredit: GettyThe Little Mix singer, who is engaged to former Liverpool footie ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, is planning a video for follow-up single Tears.A source reveals: “It’s an upbeat ballad, emotive and personal.“She had a great reception to Forget About Us and wants to keep the momentum.”Let it all out, Pez.BEY UP TO NAUGHTY BUSINESSNAUGHTY BOY had a hit with 2015’s Runnin’ (Lose It All) featuring superstar Beyonce – and now has pulled off the collab AGAIN.The I’m A Celeb star, real name Shahid Khan, has a track with her on his second album, out later this year.Naughty Boy has pulled off another collab with Beyonce on his second albumCredit: Andrew Sims – The TimesAn industry insider tells me: “The collab has been under wraps but the label are excited. “Shahid has a special relationship with Beyonce, they respect each other musically. Runnin’ was huge, they hope to recreate that.”When producer Naughty was in the I’m A Celeb castle in Wales in 2021, he opened up about Bey. He said: “I’d met her in Beverly Hills and (her husband) Jay-Z. They were playing Backgammon.“Fast-forward six months, she got my number from the label and called. “I didn’t believe it. But this is why she’s a queen – she wanted to speak to me directly.“My friend was driving, we stopped at a service station because I had the call. It was Queen B. “After, I was like, ‘Store this number!’. I stored it as ‘Queen B’. She’s so caring, no diva-ness.”STARVING TIME AT THE ZUUTELLY chef and rapper Big Zuu is the latest celebrity to sign up to upcoming Netflix reality show Bear Hunt.He will get £150,000 to fly to Costa Rica to film the series, hosted by Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby.It will see celebs, also including Jesy Nelson and Danny Cipriani, pitted against survival expert Bear as they try to live in the wild.A source tells me: “Netflix were keen to land Big Zuu, he is larger than life. He has never done anything like this and loves his comforts.”Hopefully he will rustle up some tasty jungle grub.CAUGHT LIVETake That, London O2WITH an arena packed full of screaming women for Take That’s This Life On Tour show, you could have been forgiven for thinking a new boy band was in town.But more than three decades after they first hit the charts in the early Nineties, Take That proved they can still cast a magical spell over their adoring fans.During a show designed to resemble a TV special about their glittering career, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen went back to their roots with anthems Back For Good, Relight My Fire and a stunning solo piano performance of A Million Love Songs.The trio did not hold back when it came to putting on a spectacle – pyrotechnics lit up the stage, while there was flawless dance choreography. The show even had a cheesy moment with blushing fans during a kiss-cam style segment.Instead of performing an encore, the band wrapped things up with their 2007 hit Rule The World – as their die-hard fans worshipped the three gods before them.★★★★☆YOUR TIME, DUADUA LIPA showcased her talent after she was named in the top 100 influential people of 2024 by Time magazine.The Training Season singer wore a plunging printed dress as she performed at the Time 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.Dua Lipa stunned in this plunging printed dress as she performed at the Time 100 Gala at Jazz in New YorkCredit: GettyGuests in the audience included her actor boyfriend Callum Turner.Time’s sparkling bio on Dua reads: “She left home at 15 to propel her music dreams into action. She is driven, independent, and possesses a desire for knowledge.“She appeals to future artists to be mindful of the world around them.”I couldn’t agree more with those sentiments.PARTY OF THE WEEK
      DIVA AWARDS: Celebrating 30 years of the magazine run by LINDA RILEY at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London
      WHAT WE ATE: Salmon mousse, chicken and sweet potato with a panna cotta dessert
      WHAT WE DRANK: Pink champagne
      WHO WAS THERE: Dannii Minogue, Sandi Toksvig, Anna Richardson and Sophie Ward.

      CAUGHT LIVEBlue, London PalladiumJUST One Love was felt in the crowd at The London Palladium as four Noughties hunks in the shape of Blue took to the stage for their Greatest Hits tour.Beforehand, Duncan James, Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan and Antony Costa were supported by American singer Max Rae who oozed glamour with both her sequinned catsuit and her intoxicating vocal.The lads of Blue are still just as fresh as in their boy band heydayCredit: PAThe lads, are still just as fresh as in their boy band heyday, albeit with huskier vocals. READ MORE SUN STORIESThey serenaded the sold-out venue which housed more than 2,000 of their die-hard fans as well as celeb pals such as Denise Van Outen and Gok Wan.The group’s anthem All Rise didn’t need the crowd to stand and dance – fans were already on their feet following Blue’s rendition of a nostalgic setlist including Fly By, Breathe Easy and Guilty – and among the old favourites was new single My City.★★★★☆ More

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      Noughties pop fans are only just realising the actual lyrics to The Kooks’ Naive as indie frontman explains ‘real words’

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      IT was one of the indie anthems of the summer 18 years ago.And The Kooks’ Naive has lost none of its catchy charm nearly two decades later – though its lyrics are still the cause of great contention.Luke Pritchard has revealed what he’s really singing in The Kooks’ NaiveCredit: Michael SchofieldThe band’s debut album came out in 2006Credit: GettyFortunately, frontman Luke Pritchard has settled a long-running debate over what it is he’s actually singing in the song’s chorus.The band received this message from a fan on TikTok: “In high school my friends and I thought you said ‘I know she knows I’m not fond of Oscar’ and we always wanted to know what he did.”Sitting in the back of a taxi, Luke says: “I get this a lot so I’m happy to clear up the lyrics. It could be Oscar, but it’s not. It’s fond of asking.”The full chorus goes: “And I know she knows that I’m not fond of asking/True or false, it may be../She’s still out to get me.”READ MORE ON THE KOOKSThe confirmation hit many followers hard and they duly shared the alternative lyrics they had been using.One commented: “Ahahaha I’m a fan, big fan! I used to sing “I know,she knows,I’m not from Nebraska.”Another said: “I thought it was ‘not from New Oscott’ which is a neighbourhood in Birmingham.”A third wrote: “My mrs always sang proudly “she knows I’m not from the Ruskin” thinking the Ruskin was some place up north.”Most read in MusicA fourth shared: “Oh my god I had a moment then where I was like I’m suuuure it’s ‘asking’.”The Inside In/Inside Out album that spawned Naive also contained the anthems She Moves in Her Own Way and Ooh La.Noughties pop fans are only just realising the real lyrics to The Kooks’ Naive – as indie frontman explains ‘real words’ to the songThe record was released on the same day as the Arctic Monkeys’ classic debut Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not and peaked at number two.It remains their best known record, which has proved bittersweet for the band.Luke previously told Fault magazine it was a double-edged sword.He said: “There are a few bands I would say who are in a similar position. We are trying to breakout of that sound back then which was synonymous with that time for so many people. “For example, we played a festival the other day and this girl said ‘listening to you reminds me of when I was 15. “It’s cool, but it’s tough! There are obviously bands that don’t have that and have this freshness.”Where as we feel like we’re anchored to our first album. With this new album it’s very important for us to try and break out of that, even though we’re keeping our sound.”However, the band have endured, releasing six albums in total – the most recent of which in 2022 – and are still securing prominent positions on festival bills.They have even survived the departure of a founding member.Pete Denton played the bass for the band for over a decade before deciding to pack it in.Although the 34-year-old loved every minute of his time in the indie group, the musician ended up struggling with balancing his home life with touring.In an interview he did with Clash music after leaving The Kooks, he shared that by the time his first child turned two, he had been on the road so much his son didn’t even recognise him.He said: “Parenthood was brand new, and it wasn’t until a few years later really that I kind of thought, wow, it would have been nice to have had a bit more time to adjust and enjoy the early stages of parenthood, but I didn’t have time and, plus, everybody’s got bills to pay.”But yeah, I was straight out; I think I was out back on the road within 10 days of Dylan being born, and it was a big tour as well.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I remember coming home every couple of months, and I remember him answering the door one time when I came home and I was like, ‘S**t, my kid is two!’ He was like, ‘Who are you?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m your dad! Hello!’.”Pete ended up making the decision to leave The Kooks in early 2019, trading in the big stage for a behind-the-scenes role as the owner of a Hackney restaurant and wine bar.Luke said the impact of that record has been ‘bittersweet’Credit: RexPete Denton quit the band in 2019 More