I Never Thought It Would Happen

Series 4 of the hit podcast 'I Never Thought It Would Happen' with Chris Difford is back on March 19th . We return with a joyous and eclectic guest list from James Blunt to Wolfgang Van Halen. From Norah Jones to Ron Sexsmith and all in aid of the wonderful charity Help Musicians. Find out more at www. HelpMusicians.org.uk

Alongside Chris for a candid conversation about the fine art of music-making is Chris Robertson, lead singer and guitarist for Kentucky hard rockers Black Stone Cherry. The band formed in 2001 in their teens, and this bunch of musical brothers quickly went from being hometown heroes to getting signed and then on to touring the world with key influences like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Whitesnake and Bad Compa...

Chris' guest on this episode is Lauren Mayberry, the vocalist of the critically acclaimed Scottish synth-pop act Chvrches. Ten years into their career, the band have already enjoyed an amazing ride so far, from hit singles to playing the Royal Albert Hall and recording at Berlin's legendary Hansa studios. In a fascinating chat, Lauren discusses her musical journey so far, including her move from G...

On this episode of his podcast Chris welcomes the exciting young singer Olivia Dean, an artist who is hugely influenced by Carol King, Paul Simon and Amy Winehouse. Olivia was raised in a house where her parents played a lot of different music, and which was proved to be hugely influential on her future career. And then when she attended the famous BRIT school she not only found her song-writing c...

For this episode of "I Never Thought It Would Happen" Chris is joined by musical theatre pioneer Andrew Lloyd Webber, a man The New York times called "the most commercially successful composer in history". Andrew inarguably changed musical theatre forever with a an incredible run of musicals including Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat , Jesus Christ Superstar , Evita , Cats , Starlight...

Alongside Chris this time is musical pioneer and stye icon, Pauline Black of the 2-Tone legends The Selecter. The Coventry ska band not only influenced many UK post-punk bands, but would also later help shape Trip-hop and the American punk scene in the 1990s. There's much to enjoy in this warm and open conversation, including why a chance meeting at a folk club set Pauline on her musical path, how...

Joining Chris this time is Gavin Rossdale, best known as frontman for the rock band Bush, a British group that managed to rack up millions of album sales in the American dominated grunge scene. He was later a tabloid fixture due to his marriage to Gwen Stefani. In Chris' company Gavin discusses why he's gone "super-heavy" 30 years into his career, how he collaborates with other musicians (includin...

On this episode of his podcast Chris welcomes back singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. When Chris last spoke with KT two years ago, her future as a musician looked bleak, given she was suffering from severe hearing loss. But KT returns with a hugely positive story - cutting edge technology has allowed her to regain her hearing, and with that the ability to perform and record to her very best. Along wit...

For this episode Chris is joined by Kevin Rowland, frontman for Dexy's Midnight Runners, one of Britain's most distinctive bands. Having emerged out of the post-punk scene, Dexy's created a unique blend of soul and Irish folk music, and in doing scored a huge global hit single with "Come On Eileen" in 1982. In this revealing chat, Kevin talks about his journey into music making, the remarkable sto...

Joining Chris for the latest episode of the Help Musicians podcast is Skin, front woman for the British alternative band Skunk Anansie, and also a solo artist and globally renowned DJ. When Skunk Anansie arrived on the UK music scene in 1994 they were like a bolt from the blue; culturally diverse, exciting, eclectic, electric and politically charged. In April 2001, the band split, but returned in...

Chris’ guest in this episode is the polymath Henry Rollins. Punk records and live shows in Washington DC galvanised Henry to head out on the road and forge a hugely diverse career. He sang with punk legends Black Flag - plus his own group, Rollins Band - but has also done acting, voice-over work, spoken word shows, journalism, presented documentaries and has had a long running radio show.  In this...

In this episode, Chris talks to the singer-songwriter Lemar who was first introduced to music fans via the BBC television show Fame Academy. Following his successful appearance there came a string of hit singles, awards and millions of record sales. Apart from a covers album back in 2015, he’s been keeping a low profile of late. But after a wait of 11 years, he’s returned with "Page In My Heart",...

Joining Chris in this podcast is one of Britain’s greatest and most unique singer-songwriters, Joan Armatrading, who’s also a skilled guitarist with a spine-tingling voice. She released her first album in 1972 and since then she’s proven to be a fearless pioneer and pursued her musical muse with a single-minded determination, retaining total control of her music from writing to recording to perfor...

To kick off series three of I Never Thought It Would Happen, Chris Difford is joined by Kelly Jones, singer, songwriter and guitarist for Welsh stadium rockers Stereophonics. The band released their debut album in 1997 and experienced a meteoric rise to fame, subsequently enjoying 8 back to back number one albums in the UK, putting them in the same league as Oasis, REM and Taylor Swift. In this co...

Standby as series 3 of I Never Thought It Would Happen with Chris Difford and Help Musicians returns soon with a fantastic lineup of guests. Series 3 returns April 11th with Kelly Jones 

Alongside Chris this week for a chat about the fine art of song writing and music making is the legendary Don McLean. Having learned guitar as a boy, inspired as much by The Weavers as The Beatles, he honed his craft in the burgeoning New York folk clubs. In 1970 he released his debut album, "Tapestry", but it was his surprise hit single "American Pie" a year later that has ensured Don's place in...

For this episode, Chris welcomes Sir Tim Rice for a chat. With his musical partner, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim changed musical theatre for ever, writing a clutch of timeless, hit shows, including Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Chess and The Lion King. He's also collaborated with Freddie Mercury, Elton John plus Benny and Bjorn of Abba. Tim Rice is also o...

Alongside Chris in this episode is the fast-rising singer-songwriter Lola Young. Hailing from South London, she started writing songs aged 11 and was attending open-mic nights from 13 and has been working on her craft since then. Lola chats about being taught philosophy at primary school, attending the famous Brit School and how that nurtured her artistic gifts, how her music tastes have evolved a...

Ace singer, songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson is alongside Chris this episode to discuss the fine art of songwriting and making music. From his first album in 1968, aged 19, with Fairport Convention, then through 6 decades of a solo career, Richard's music making has always been fascinating, adventurous and critically acclaimed. From the first record he owned to playing festivals to the lo...

Joining Chris for a chat this time is the new, fast rising London act Kawala, formed around the long-standing friendship of Jim and Daniel who met at University and who've recently released their debut album. Much loved by a fervent fanbase, radio - and even Sam Smith - theirs is a positive, inspiring story for any budding musician.

With Chris for another illuminating insight into the fine art of songwriting is Nick Lowe. Nick is an artist with an incredible decade-spanning career, and in this episode he recounts his start with the much maligned (but influential) Brinsley Schwarz, his time as the in-house producer for Stiff Records, his work with Elvis Costello, the short lived supergroup Little Village with Ry Cooder. And, o...

Joining Chris for this episode is the very charming English/Italian singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti. In this thoughtful, insightful conversation Jack talks about catching Bob Dylan live, the impact of the Forrest Gump soundtrack and his experiences working with both Kyle Minogue and Nile Rodgers.

Chris welcomes aboard the band Blossoms to his podcast. In this chat Tom, Joe and Charlie talk about the influence the Manchester music scene had on the fledgling band, particularly Oasis. They also reveal where the band's name came from, the influence of producer James Skelly and why a scaffolding yard was so important to the band.

With Chris for a chat in this episode is young blues artist Elles Bailey, who's quickly carved out a place in the blues scene. With 3 albums to her name, each gaining more fans, and a clutch of awards, she's an exciting, forward thinking artist.  During the conversation Elles discusses growing up listening to Chess Records, Janis Joplin as well as musical theatre, the importance of an artist using...

Actor, comedian and musician Christopher Guest joins Chris Difford in this episode. Best known for playing the lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel in This Is Spinal Tap , Christopher shines a light on the creation of the iconic and much loved film, and the surreal but satisfying life the spoof band has enjoyed since the release nearly 40 years ago. He also discusses his earlier career writing satirical so...