» Carol Decker interview
Carol Decker, singer in eighties pop legends T’Pau, plays a charity concert in Eastbourne in September. Nick Aldwinckle spoke to her
80s Live! is a new one day event taking place in Eastbourne’s Winter Garden on Saturday, 13 September.
In aid of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, the event sees a host of eighties stars, including T’Pau, Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Sonia, Stephen Singleton of ABC and Sigue Sigue Sputnik, take to the stage to raise funds and awareness of the chronic muscle disease.
As well as the main performers, there’s an ‘Acoustic Café’ with local acts and a ‘Silent Auction’ with a Fender Telecaster guitar signed by the Arctic Monkeys up for grabs. Latest 7 met T’Pau’s Carol Decker.
So, how’s it going?
I’ve been doing loads of shows. I did an Ascot race meet last week, where I met Frankie Dettori, which was fun. I’ve been recording solo, not that anyone would know!
I’ve actually got a few tunes out under my own name: one called ‘Just Dream’, which I wrote with Ronnie Rogers who did T’Pau stuff with me 20 years ago, it’s more of a dance record than the older tunes.
The second one is a dance version of Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, which I did with an act called Lazy Grace.
Do ‘China In Your Hand’ requests annoy you?
Not anymore! I used to resent being defined by one song, but then I came to the conclusion that it’s a great song. You know – what are you moaning about? At least people remember you and you’re still working. I think people only really want the eighties for me. When I say to them ‘I’ve got a new song out’, they’re like ‘whatever’.
Why are you doing this Eastbourne concert?
Well, it was a personal contact – an old friend called Maggie who was in two eighties bands (Swans Way and Scarlet Fantastic). She lives in the area, and we were on the same label, so she tracked me down. It’s a good cause and a day by the sea, so why not?
I’ve got a fan who’s kept in touch who has it, so I know a bit about it. The aim is to raise awareness, raise funds and to have fun! No muscular dystrophy sufferers want it to always be grim – this is a fun way to raise funds.
Any hope of a full T’Pau reunion?
I doubt it. I think the keyboard player’s still propping up a bar somewhere in Wales slagging me off twenty years later! I’m friends with Ron Rogers who is my ex-partner. We were together for thirteen years and he was my co-writer in the band and we get together regularly.
I don’t think any of us would want to get back together and I’ve learned to live without them. I’ve worked with many fine musicians and after the initial panic of ‘oh my god, who am I gonna work with?’ I suddenly realised there are an awful lot of good musicians out there.
80’s Live, Saturday 13 September, Eastbourne Winter Garden
www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk
