Woolleys Beat

Founder of the Birmingham based reggae pop group, Ali Campbell's UB40 recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. In this BEAT podcast we talk with Ali about their early beginnings including their splitting up and taking the first record he ever owned all the way to the top of the charts some 20 years after the original did the same. A podcast you won't want to miss! (Recorded in August 2024)

Drumming for one of the most successful bands in the world, John Coghlan's world has rarely been delved into. Until now that is... In his local Cotswolds pub, the Quo man chats about how he first got interested in music as well as the highs and lows of his time with the band. He also reveals why they broke up when they did as well as his personal life outside performing. Also in the podcast, h...

The glam rock band from Wolverhampton were hardly out of the pop charts during the 70s. Now 50 years on from their last top ten of that golden era, founder Slade member Dave Hill is still keeping those memories alive. In this podcast, Dave explains how they evolved from their skinhead past to become one of pop's most popular and successful acts. Although Noddy has officially called it a day, D...

It’s been just over 40 years since the Birmingham reggae group’s last chart success. Today, a grown-up Dennis Seaton knows his way around the business and has set his sights on going one better in the Grammys since his young group lost out to Culture Club. Despite being only 13 years old , Seaton replaced the lead singer of Musical Youth and qnd surprised many when they topped the UK charts in 198...

Marking 20 years since the immortal Amsterdam hit ‘ DoesThis Train Stop On Merseyside? ’, Ian Prowse celebrates with a special re-release out 7th March and an anniversary tour around the UK. In this podcast, Ian reflects on how it started for him in Liverpool and the influences that changed his musical direction down the years. Even John Peel was moved by his song writing!

The St. Albans favourites, the Zombies, were behind classics like “Time of the Season” and “She’s Not There” and are led by lead singer Colin Blunstone. In this podcast, Blunstone takes time out to talk all things Zombies. With 60 years in the music business, he gives sensible advice on keeping your voice in tip-top condition as well as his respect for fellow Zombie Rod Argent and working with Ala...

In 2020, we caught up with the multi-talented Mike Batt on the eve of the release of his latest album, The Penultimate Collection. The singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, record producer, director, conductor and former deputy chairman of the British Phonographic Industry has many strings to his bow as you are about to discover. From his early roots as the youngest A&R plugger to eventually...

Merrill Osmond is the lead singer for the world-famous Osmond family and an established solo artist. In this podcast, Merrill discusses his family, career, faith, and why his British fans have meant so much to him over the years. Recorded in 2023.

These days, you're more likely to see him on the small screen but the Happy Mondays poet and singer Shaun Ryder has certainly lived an interesting life... Currently undertaking a UK book tour (which he admits he didn't know he was doing), we put the awkward questions to him about his life and career to date. It's one podcast you don't want to miss! (Promo image courtesy of Paul Husband)

The first pop group from the South of England to top the UK charts in the Beat boom days, the Tremeloes were also the chosen band above the Beatles by Decca. In this podcast, former lead singer Brian Poole looks back at the early Tremeloes days, and his choice to go solo at the height of their career. It's an episode you won't want to miss. This is part 1 of 2.

As doo-wop vocal groups go, Darts dominated the 1970s and always performed on the edge with their stage antics. Whilst most groups of the time had one lead singer, Darts had four. Rita Ray, Den Hegarty, Bob Fish and Griff Fender all shared that responsibility, and whilst (excuse the pun) they never succeeded in getting double top, they came close to it in 1978 when they got to no.2 with "Come...

As long as there is Woody, the Bay City Rollers tartan flag will forever fly at full mast… As the original guitarist of the Bay City Rollers, 66-year-old Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood is now the only original member of the pin-up 1970s boy band to tour. Edinburgh-born Stuart was 17 when he joined the Bay City Rollers, including brothers Alan and Derek Longmuir, Eric Faulkner, and singer Les McKeown. Selling...

Mauritian actress, model, and Producer Françoise Pascal has been in the business for 50 years and has worked with some of the biggest names in film and TV. Now, in a new play, 'My Wife Fell in Love with a Life Size Cardboard Cut-out of Ronan Keating' (yes, really!) written by PT Rose, actress and music lover Françoise Pascal is treading the boards again. In this podcast, we talk with her a...

It's been an incredible 50 years for the leather-cladded singer and musician since she topped the UK charts with 'Devil Gate Drive'. In her 60th year in the business, Suzi Q still feels as fresh as the first time she walked on stage. She talks about the glam rock period, her respect for Mary Weiss and writing music with KT Tunstall. Part 1 of 2. An intimate podcast you won't want t...

Steve Ellis has always been outspoken about his views, and the former Love Affair frontman has plenty to say. Released on his birthday, this podcast pulls no punches as we ask him what makes him the man he is today. Friends like Zoot Money, Keith Moon, and Paul Weller all get a mention, as well as the reason why he left the band when he did. A mod and soul lover at heart, this is one podcast you w...

Smokie's lead singer, Chris Norman, has reached a 55-year milestone in his music career, marking a new achievement in pop. If his latest album 'Junction 55' is anything to go by, the Bradford boy has emerged in 2024 with some great new tracks that will keep his popularity to the fore. In this interview, Chris looks back at his early career and collaborations with the likes of Suzie Qua...

"Then when the flap went down the noise was just incredible"... The former Spandau Ballet lead singer recalls the surreal moment after being pranked on BBC's Michael McIntyre's Big Show. Off the back of that prime-time BBC show recently watched by millions of viewers, the tickets for his upcoming tour have been selling like hotcakes. In this podcast ahead of his new Big Swing Tou...

Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel celebrated their 50th Anniversary last year and the celebratory shows were such a joy that Steve is once more on the acoustic road to mark ‘50 Years A Rebel’… For Steve, life on the road is more than just a job: it is almost his life’s blood. In this interview, we talk with the Cockney Rebel about what those 50+ years were like. Talking McCartney, Bolan, Eddie Reader...

It's been 40 years since 5 Star exploded onto our screens and now their lead singer Deniece Pearson has released her first Christmas single... For the Pearson family, music has always been in their blood. From their humble beginnings listening to their father's demos to forming the successful quintet that took the UK by storm during the 80s. In this podcast, Brit Award winner Deniece talks...

Gary Puckett and his group the Union Gap were one of the most successful musical groups of the 60’s with his unmistakable signature voice getting the band six consecutive gold discs. From his beautiful home in Florida, USA, we talk with Gary about his long career including singing in front of President Nixon and Prince Charles at the White House. Did you know as a Beatles fan himself, in 1968 Gary...

"One day we rocked up at Nottingham University with our band and asked to play a free gig. The head was apprehensive until we told him we had Paul McCartney waiting to perform with us outside"... The American drummer Denny Seiwell recalls the bizarre moment when the ex-Beatle decided to hit the road after forming his new band Wings. Denny passed the audition to join one of the biggest na...

It's now 50 years since they topped the UK charts with their first No.1 'I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing' which everybody remembers as that Coca-Cola song. Selling millions of records worldwide, the New Seekers was never out of the charts in the first half of the 1970's... In this episode, we talk with former member Lyn Paul about the band's Eurovision fan worship, tour...

Keyboardist Geoff Downes has done it all down the years. Starting out in Buggles before joining one of the biggest rock bands in the 80’s and then forming Asia, he now juggles his time between the two and he still holds that World record... In this episode, we talk with him about finding fame after applying for a magazine ad with his music college buddy Trevor Horn. He also talks about the surpris...

We chat with the former lead singer of the 60's Welsh rock group Amen Corner - Andy Fairweather Low... In this episode, Andy talks about his long career with the chart-topping band before having a successful solo career of his own in the 70s and working with all the big names in the music business. Taking time out on his tour with the Low Riders, Andy talks about being influenced by the Rollin...

Journalist and TV producer Suzan has woven her love for Elvis and The Beatles into two hilarious stories that also draw on her own dating disasters - before she met her musician husband - former Slade frontman Noddy Holder! Speaking with Suzan Holder, it's clear that this independently strong woman has carved her own way in a male-dominated world of music. Long before she ever met the Slade fr...