More Zoom interviews can be found in the Features section
(Zoom interview August 2020)
ZOOM TIME WITH LAURA DOYLE
She’s Loud, She’s Proud and She can Sing
I’ve been aware that all my Zoom lockdown interviews so far have been with men.
Nothing wrong with that, I’m a big fan of men, but this month I needed a woman!
Someone who would stir things up a bit.
There were a few names that came to mind, but one stood out. Laura Doyle.
This girl can sing! She also loves to laugh, she loves to cry and best of all, she loves to talk.
Laura is the daughter of American rock singer/songwriter Suzi Quatro and guitarist Len Tuckey.
I’d been introduced to Laura through my best friend Pauline Corcoran. When Pauline sadly died in January 2016, I remained in contact with Laura as I warmed to her energy and enthusiasm. And I love hearing her sing!
She is a rare, kind person who embraces almost everyone that comes into contact with her. But I noticed that her endearing qualities also made her vulnerable to self doubts. Thankfully in more recent years, I’ve seen her confidence blossom and she admits that some personal challenges in the last few years have forced her to reflect on her past life as a rebellious teenager through to being a wife and mother. She is now feeling more confident and knows who she is and what she wants to do.
“At some point in your life you have to acknowledge past mistakes and accept who you are and love yourself. I’m not perfect. I say what I think, I’m loud, a bit dramatic, but I have accepted who I am.”
Laura has numerous talents and considering the musical pedigree she comes from it’s no surprise that her passion and priority is music. Oh, I’ll say it again…this girl can sing!
She is generous with her time encouraging others through her role as music promoter and also running a monthly jam session, held the first Thursday of each month at a local club in Chelmsford called The Basement. Laura explained to me what a devastating blow it was when lockdown was announced and the owners of the club had no alternative but to close. Although everyone thought it would be back soon.
“All my jammers were saying what do we do? I noticed a few pages being set up like Rock the Lockdown, so thought I would have a little jam page for our Thursday night jammers. One night I had a bit of champagne, did a song and posted it. Didn’t think anyone would join me! I invited all the jammers and all my friends. I remember in the early days saying to my husband, wow we’ve got 43 members. Now there are nearly 700! Some people I didn’t even know. We’ve had people from all over the world. One of my favourites is Stephen. I met him through a friend and he’s got Parkinsons. He used to sing and play guitar, but he’s back jamming for us. At first he was a bit shy about doing it as he thought his voice wasn’t how it used to be. I am so proud of him.”
It’s not only musicians that contribute. There is also an appreciative audience of non musicians, me included.
Laura explains: “Some people were shielding, so hadn’t seen their family or friends. They told me they looked forward to Thursdays. It’s wonderful. I never thought it would take off.”
The jamming sessions are now not confined to Thursdays. People are posting anytime throughout the week. There are youngsters from 11 years up to 70 year olds contributing.
“We’ve got frontline workers playing harmonica in their cars just before their shift. It shows they can make us wear masks, order us to stay at home and they can shut down our venues, but they can’t stop us playing our music. This will continue, even from our own front rooms.”
Laura is not one for sitting still and is continually looking to be creative. Although she does like to relax and points out she’s an early to bed and early to rise sort of person.
Over the last few years Laura has been involved in presenting programmes for a community radio station and had a period training at BBC Radio Essex as a radio producer, culminating in an excellent documentary on Mods and Rockers, presented by rock singer Marty Wilde broadcast in 2019.
Laura admitted during our chat that although she loved working in public radio and learnt a lot, she felt it wasn’t for her and was constrained not being able to say and do what she wanted to.
So, I wasn’t surprised to find out that Laura now has her own regular Podcast, along with co-host and her good friend Keith Ball, son of the legendary Jazz musician Kenny Ball. Keith is also a great musician in his own right.
“Being at home during lockdown I started to write the structure of it and to do that I had to write questions, so came up with ones that I wouldn’t mind being asked as a child of a celebrity.”
So, the focus of the Podcasts has been about what it’s like to have a famous parent. Something that Laura and Keith know only too well. They talk openly about their experiences of growing up in a celebrity household and what it’s like to live in the shadow of a famous parent. The openness and honesty of their banter throughout the programme gives a unique insight into their lives. Laura admits it has also been therapeutic.
“I’ve found it harder when you’re a child of a celebrity because you’re always being compared to them. I never wanted to be famous, but I love singing and want to be recognised for having a good voice.”
The Podcasts are broadcast every two weeks, pre-recorded from Laura’s front room. Her producer Andy provides all the equipment and does the editing.
“I’m often being told to be quieter as the level goes into the red. I can’t help it. I get carried away.”
We turn back to talking about Laura’s childhood and what it was like for her growing up with famous parents.
“I don’t deny it was a great time. We’d be on the road and I got to see a lot by travelling the world. We had to grow up quick though.”
Laura admits to being a wild child and going off the rails when she was about 12. Not surprising considering Suzi is seen as a rebel and Len a rock n roller!
“It wasn’t because mum wasn’t there, because she was. But it wasn’t possible all the time because of the touring. I remember thinking sometimes I really need my mum. So when I had my daughter at 18, I made the decision I would not pursue a career in music to the point of making it big because I didn’t want my daughter thinking she needed her mum.”
Laura feels that sometimes people have pre-conceived ideas before they meet her, expecting her to be a size 0.
“I’m not skinny, I’m not my mum, she’s a pin up and still looks great.”
Laura’s parents separated and divorced when Laura was about 9 and I asked her if this had affected her?
“My brother and I got called in from playing in the garden by mum saying they needed to talk to us. I had an instinct as they’d been arguing a lot and knew it wasn’t working. The divorce didn’t worry me, I was more worried about my dad being on his own. I’ve always been a daddy’s girl and wanted to live with him, but he had to leave mum’s band and find another career. He ended up managing Slade for 20 years.“
Laura gave him her dog because she didn’t want him to be alone. And she’d get to see him every weekend.
“He’d pick us up and drive to his house, which is beautiful, but he hadn’t unpacked. I remember on the way home I was sitting in the front and my head turned to the window. There were a few tears running down my cheeks, just because I knew he’d be going home to an empty house. So I wasn’t affected by the divorce, I was affected by dad leaving.”
Laura doesn’t regret anything as she said it’s what made her who she is today.
“This is why the Podcast is therapeutic by talking to other children of celebrities. It’s helping me. It’s made me and my mums relationship a lot healthier. It was never mum’s fault. She worked hard and hated leaving us with a Nanny. She’d cry her eyes out. But as a teenager I was left to my own devices. I felt I didn’t need a Nanny anymore and off I’d go”
Returning to lockdown talk, what’s it been like for Laura?
“My daughter Amy was away at University, but then came home. She’d just finished her first year studying Philosophy and had moved into a house with her mates. But she came back home for a few months. Her boyfriend was delighted of course! I had a housefull. My step daughter and grandson were in the process of finding a flat, so they set up camp in our conservatory! I also had my daughter and her boyfriend, my husband and me and my son.”
Laura points out that he isn’t her birth son, but she is his special guardian and had him with her since he was a few months old, so considers him a son.
“ It was a lot of work, but also lovely to spend time with them all. I used to be terrible at cooking, but now I’m good. The only downside of the experience was that I started smoking, but I can stop. Same with drinking. Although its difficult when you’re married to an Irishman. We have given up for a while and cut back. No carbs or booze during the week, unless we’re celebrating.”
Things are slowly getting back to normal. Laura’s daughter is returning to her Uni house, her stepdaughter now has a flat and her son has gone to stay with his nan before he starts his first year at high school.
“My shopping bill will be a lot less.” Laura laughs.
I ask if she’s been in contact with her mum Suzi during lockdown?
“She was on her own, which is really difficult for mum as she’s not a person to sit down and not do anything. Even when she’s watching a movie she’s up and down constantly.”
Laura adds, the lack of performing has been hard for Suzi too .
“People like my mum, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger etc, don’t do it for the money anymore, they do it out of love. So, to go from gigging for over 50 years to nothing has been a big shock.”
But Suzi has been using the time to work on a new album.
“My brother (who is also in her band) and mum, have been working on a second album, so it’s given them a chance to do that.”
Laura reveals to me that she had some jealousy when they did the first album, and when they started the second one Laura decided to confront her mum and ask why she couldn’t contribute.
“Mum said firmly, Laura, you are not a backing singer. And I’m not. My voice is loud. But I wish she had pointed this out last year. Anyway, I’m now working on my own album. I’m not a songwriter, but what I do is sing songs that I feel and love. I love all the old classics by Etta James or Ella Fitzgerald. I’m working with my friend Josh doing acoustic, stripped back versions.”
As always with my Zoom interviews time runs away. So, to sum up, what are the things that Laura has hated about lockdown, what has she liked and what is she really looking forward to when we all finally get back to some normality?
“The thing I’ve hated most and something I still haven’t got to do is hug my dad! He’s 75 and I think my dad is great, just like Keith Richards. But he’s still being careful. Not being able to hug my dad has been the hardest thing ever. I just want a hug, to smell him and have his arms around me again.
The thing I’ve loved was being at home with my kids. As stressful as it was with everybody here, I loved it. I like taking care of people and knowing my kids are safe because they are under this roof. The other positive of this lockdown is that we’ve all had a rest!”
The thing I’m looking forward to most is live gigs and jamming! Getting on that stage and kicking arse! I miss that so much!”
Checkout Laura’s Podcast Mayhem “Through our Eyes”
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1222097
And join her Jamming Group on Facebook “Virtual Jam Sessions (Every Thursday)”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/225385265393612/
Val Weedon
August 2020
ZOOM TIME WITH LAURA DOYLE
She’s Loud, She’s Proud and She can Sing
I’ve been aware that all my Zoom lockdown interviews so far have been with men.
Nothing wrong with that, I’m a big fan of men, but this month I needed a woman!
Someone who would stir things up a bit.
There were a few names that came to mind, but one stood out. Laura Doyle.
This girl can sing! She also loves to laugh, she loves to cry and best of all, she loves to talk.
Laura is the daughter of American rock singer/songwriter Suzi Quatro and guitarist Len Tuckey.
I’d been introduced to Laura through my best friend Pauline Corcoran. When Pauline sadly died in January 2016, I remained in contact with Laura as I warmed to her energy and enthusiasm. And I love hearing her sing!
She is a rare, kind person who embraces almost everyone that comes into contact with her. But I noticed that her endearing qualities also made her vulnerable to self doubts. Thankfully in more recent years, I’ve seen her confidence blossom and she admits that some personal challenges in the last few years have forced her to reflect on her past life as a rebellious teenager through to being a wife and mother. She is now feeling more confident and knows who she is and what she wants to do.
“At some point in your life you have to acknowledge past mistakes and accept who you are and love yourself. I’m not perfect. I say what I think, I’m loud, a bit dramatic, but I have accepted who I am.”
Laura has numerous talents and considering the musical pedigree she comes from it’s no surprise that her passion and priority is music. Oh, I’ll say it again…this girl can sing!
She is generous with her time encouraging others through her role as music promoter and also running a monthly jam session, held the first Thursday of each month at a local club in Chelmsford called The Basement. Laura explained to me what a devastating blow it was when lockdown was announced and the owners of the club had no alternative but to close. Although everyone thought it would be back soon.
“All my jammers were saying what do we do? I noticed a few pages being set up like Rock the Lockdown, so thought I would have a little jam page for our Thursday night jammers. One night I had a bit of champagne, did a song and posted it. Didn’t think anyone would join me! I invited all the jammers and all my friends. I remember in the early days saying to my husband, wow we’ve got 43 members. Now there are nearly 700! Some people I didn’t even know. We’ve had people from all over the world. One of my favourites is Stephen. I met him through a friend and he’s got Parkinsons. He used to sing and play guitar, but he’s back jamming for us. At first he was a bit shy about doing it as he thought his voice wasn’t how it used to be. I am so proud of him.”
It’s not only musicians that contribute. There is also an appreciative audience of non musicians, me included.
Laura explains: “Some people were shielding, so hadn’t seen their family or friends. They told me they looked forward to Thursdays. It’s wonderful. I never thought it would take off.”
The jamming sessions are now not confined to Thursdays. People are posting anytime throughout the week. There are youngsters from 11 years up to 70 year olds contributing.
“We’ve got frontline workers playing harmonica in their cars just before their shift. It shows they can make us wear masks, order us to stay at home and they can shut down our venues, but they can’t stop us playing our music. This will continue, even from our own front rooms.”
Laura is not one for sitting still and is continually looking to be creative. Although she does like to relax and points out she’s an early to bed and early to rise sort of person.
Over the last few years Laura has been involved in presenting programmes for a community radio station and had a period training at BBC Radio Essex as a radio producer, culminating in an excellent documentary on Mods and Rockers, presented by rock singer Marty Wilde broadcast in 2019.
Laura admitted during our chat that although she loved working in public radio and learnt a lot, she felt it wasn’t for her and was constrained not being able to say and do what she wanted to.
So, I wasn’t surprised to find out that Laura now has her own regular Podcast, along with co-host and her good friend Keith Ball, son of the legendary Jazz musician Kenny Ball. Keith is also a great musician in his own right.
“Being at home during lockdown I started to write the structure of it and to do that I had to write questions, so came up with ones that I wouldn’t mind being asked as a child of a celebrity.”
So, the focus of the Podcasts has been about what it’s like to have a famous parent. Something that Laura and Keith know only too well. They talk openly about their experiences of growing up in a celebrity household and what it’s like to live in the shadow of a famous parent. The openness and honesty of their banter throughout the programme gives a unique insight into their lives. Laura admits it has also been therapeutic.
“I’ve found it harder when you’re a child of a celebrity because you’re always being compared to them. I never wanted to be famous, but I love singing and want to be recognised for having a good voice.”
The Podcasts are broadcast every two weeks, pre-recorded from Laura’s front room. Her producer Andy provides all the equipment and does the editing.
“I’m often being told to be quieter as the level goes into the red. I can’t help it. I get carried away.”
We turn back to talking about Laura’s childhood and what it was like for her growing up with famous parents.
“I don’t deny it was a great time. We’d be on the road and I got to see a lot by travelling the world. We had to grow up quick though.”
Laura admits to being a wild child and going off the rails when she was about 12. Not surprising considering Suzi is seen as a rebel and Len a rock n roller!
“It wasn’t because mum wasn’t there, because she was. But it wasn’t possible all the time because of the touring. I remember thinking sometimes I really need my mum. So when I had my daughter at 18, I made the decision I would not pursue a career in music to the point of making it big because I didn’t want my daughter thinking she needed her mum.”
Laura feels that sometimes people have pre-conceived ideas before they meet her, expecting her to be a size 0.
“I’m not skinny, I’m not my mum, she’s a pin up and still looks great.”
Laura’s parents separated and divorced when Laura was about 9 and I asked her if this had affected her?
“My brother and I got called in from playing in the garden by mum saying they needed to talk to us. I had an instinct as they’d been arguing a lot and knew it wasn’t working. The divorce didn’t worry me, I was more worried about my dad being on his own. I’ve always been a daddy’s girl and wanted to live with him, but he had to leave mum’s band and find another career. He ended up managing Slade for 20 years.“
Laura gave him her dog because she didn’t want him to be alone. And she’d get to see him every weekend.
“He’d pick us up and drive to his house, which is beautiful, but he hadn’t unpacked. I remember on the way home I was sitting in the front and my head turned to the window. There were a few tears running down my cheeks, just because I knew he’d be going home to an empty house. So I wasn’t affected by the divorce, I was affected by dad leaving.”
Laura doesn’t regret anything as she said it’s what made her who she is today.
“This is why the Podcast is therapeutic by talking to other children of celebrities. It’s helping me. It’s made me and my mums relationship a lot healthier. It was never mum’s fault. She worked hard and hated leaving us with a Nanny. She’d cry her eyes out. But as a teenager I was left to my own devices. I felt I didn’t need a Nanny anymore and off I’d go”
Returning to lockdown talk, what’s it been like for Laura?
“My daughter Amy was away at University, but then came home. She’d just finished her first year studying Philosophy and had moved into a house with her mates. But she came back home for a few months. Her boyfriend was delighted of course! I had a housefull. My step daughter and grandson were in the process of finding a flat, so they set up camp in our conservatory! I also had my daughter and her boyfriend, my husband and me and my son.”
Laura points out that he isn’t her birth son, but she is his special guardian and had him with her since he was a few months old, so considers him a son.
“ It was a lot of work, but also lovely to spend time with them all. I used to be terrible at cooking, but now I’m good. The only downside of the experience was that I started smoking, but I can stop. Same with drinking. Although its difficult when you’re married to an Irishman. We have given up for a while and cut back. No carbs or booze during the week, unless we’re celebrating.”
Things are slowly getting back to normal. Laura’s daughter is returning to her Uni house, her stepdaughter now has a flat and her son has gone to stay with his nan before he starts his first year at high school.
“My shopping bill will be a lot less.” Laura laughs.
I ask if she’s been in contact with her mum Suzi during lockdown?
“She was on her own, which is really difficult for mum as she’s not a person to sit down and not do anything. Even when she’s watching a movie she’s up and down constantly.”
Laura adds, the lack of performing has been hard for Suzi too .
“People like my mum, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger etc, don’t do it for the money anymore, they do it out of love. So, to go from gigging for over 50 years to nothing has been a big shock.”
But Suzi has been using the time to work on a new album.
“My brother (who is also in her band) and mum, have been working on a second album, so it’s given them a chance to do that.”
Laura reveals to me that she had some jealousy when they did the first album, and when they started the second one Laura decided to confront her mum and ask why she couldn’t contribute.
“Mum said firmly, Laura, you are not a backing singer. And I’m not. My voice is loud. But I wish she had pointed this out last year. Anyway, I’m now working on my own album. I’m not a songwriter, but what I do is sing songs that I feel and love. I love all the old classics by Etta James or Ella Fitzgerald. I’m working with my friend Josh doing acoustic, stripped back versions.”
As always with my Zoom interviews time runs away. So, to sum up, what are the things that Laura has hated about lockdown, what has she liked and what is she really looking forward to when we all finally get back to some normality?
“The thing I’ve hated most and something I still haven’t got to do is hug my dad! He’s 75 and I think my dad is great, just like Keith Richards. But he’s still being careful. Not being able to hug my dad has been the hardest thing ever. I just want a hug, to smell him and have his arms around me again.
The thing I’ve loved was being at home with my kids. As stressful as it was with everybody here, I loved it. I like taking care of people and knowing my kids are safe because they are under this roof. The other positive of this lockdown is that we’ve all had a rest!”
The thing I’m looking forward to most is live gigs and jamming! Getting on that stage and kicking arse! I miss that so much!”
Checkout Laura’s Podcast Mayhem “Through our Eyes”
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1222097
And join her Jamming Group on Facebook “Virtual Jam Sessions (Every Thursday)”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/225385265393612/
Val Weedon
August 2020
ZOOM INTERVIEW (JULY 2020)
Other Zoom interviews can be found on the Features page
ZOOMING IN ON SINGER/SONGWRITER PETER DONEGAN
Talking about the L Word, and not just Life, Loves and Lockdown,
INTRO
It’s been a few years since I first came across Peter Donegan and his music. As a writer and music fan I’m always on the look out for interesting artists. Peter’s surname rang a bell and I soon discovered his family history. But it was Peter’s music that had captured my attention.
Then, Peter appeared on The Voice and although it was sad to have him knocked out so soon into the competition, I could see that appearing on the show was a great opportunity to showcase his talent.
I have been particularly impressed at his willingness to personally interact with his fans, both on social media and at his concerts signing autographs and just chatting. This is something I know fans really appreciate.
So when the opportunity to ask Peter if he would be interested in doing a Zoom interview with me talking about the Covid crisis and his lockdown experiences, I jumped at the chance to approach him and was delighted when he agreed.
One of the things I had in mind before doing the interview was to avoid mentioning the “L” word! No, not Lockdown, but Lonnie! I was aware that Peter has been working hard to carve out a music career for himself and wanted the interview to be about Peter and his music, not his famous father. Although I knew this would be a real challenge as his Dad is a music legend and was such a huge part of Peter’s life. I knew it was going to be like those quiz shows where you have avoid using the words Yes or No. So, I was quite relieved when Peter was the first one to raise the subject and use the “L” word when I ask him about lockdown:
Peter explains:
“I had flown into the UK from the States, just before lockdown at the end of February. It was very frustrating in the professional sense, because I’d just done a tour of the US, where I’d just got accepted as being Peter Donegan and no one was looking at my family history, and those that did had a different mentality towards it in comparison to the UK. In the US they would just say, so your dad is Lonnie Donegan, how cool, but what are you doing. Whereas in the UK they would say, oh cool your dad is Lonnie Donegan – sing My Old Man’s a Dustman!”
It’s not surprising there has been a fascination with Peter’s family connection. Lonnie Donegan is a British national treasure and a pioneer of popular music, particularly for working class people in the 50’s and 60’s. Peter feels his dad was the most important person in the British music industry and led the way for artists such as The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and many more who were influenced and inspired by him to take up music as a career. Although Peter acknowledges this, and is happy to pay homage to his dad’s music, he regularly has to remind fans he’s not a tribute act for his dad’s music. More on this later.
We get back to talking about the lockdown and its affects on Peter, his music, and his family.
“Lockdown was scary” Peter reflects. “But it was necessary, as we didn’t know what we were dealing with. The consensus was that lockdown should’ve happened sooner. In my own family both my mother and her partner have breathing issues and my grandfather is not well either. These were things we needed to take care of. I feel the release of lockdown has been too early.”
Peter outlines his experiences of going shopping and how some people were not obeying the distancing rules “There were people in the supermarket that would just lean across me not wearing masks. I also experienced fights because one person would be respecting the distancing rules and others just didn’t care.”
The conversation turns more serious as Peter talks of his frustration around people arguing the virus is a conspiracy theory.
“Well, it didn’t feel like a conspiracy theory when myself, my wife and child all had the Corona virus. One night I had to call the ambulance out for my wife.”
This revelation really shocked me and I didn’t know how to respond. My heart sank at the thought of them going through such a traumatic and worrying time. Fortunately, they have all recovered.
“People were shocked that I’d had it, but I’ve been tested for antibodies and did offer to donate plasma for those in ICU.”
It is a stark reminder that just because we may not have seen or know anyone with the disease, doesn’t mean it’s not real.
Peter, his wife and son were able to remain together during this time. Peter’s son Eric has autism and it was important for him to continue with his therapy. Peter did have to adapt because their key therapist had to isolate.
“We had to travel by car to north London from south London so that Eric could continue his therapy. There were challenges, but we just dealt with them. We’ve become accustomed to so many conveniences that we take for granted. So, lockdown has meant finding a way of adapting.”
This has also included Peter’s music and he’s been doing live performances every Sunday via the internet streaming services.
“I don’t have the same source of income or the same connection with fans, but at least its something. I am reaching out and connecting, which is important to me. We need to remember we will get back to doing live performances eventually, but I feel I have a responsibility to people who support me, the fans and my band, so I won’t be doing any live shows until I think its safe to invite people to come out. I don’t want to find people saying they’ve caught the virus at one of my concerts. I feel responsible for that.”
I tell Peter that being involved and interacting with his fans is something I had noticed he does a lot and I know from comments on social media that fans really appreciate it.
Peter acknowledges my observation “I will keep that in mind. I guess it’s one of the benefits of having a father in the business. He was the first pop star really and was old school in his approach. Once, when he performed in Blackpool someone asked him if he had somewhere to stay and he’d say he was going to check out some B & B’s. Then this person offered for him to stay at their place and he could sleep on the couch, which he did. Incredible to think that he was Lonnie Donegan, number 1 in the charts, and he would do that. But the concept of celebrity was still developing, and dad was very grounded. He was always connected to the fans and would go and say thank you to them after a gig, because he knew, and was very grateful that, without all those people coming to watch him there wouldn’t be a career.”
It is something that Peter has obviously taken on board and sees it as an opportunity to get feedback about his music too.
“It’s a sounding board for me because people may say they love a new song, or could you play more of this. Of course, sometimes it may not be relevant, for example, someone may say they’ve got all my dad’s records and that I didn’t sound like any of them! Then I have to point out, that’s because I’m not him!”
This prompts me to ask how much this bothered him? Peter goes on to clarify.
“I’m proud of Dad and when I’m on stage I want to do one of his songs in homage to him because its important to me as well as the fans. Where I must be careful is on the live stream as people are sitting behind a computer. It’s not the same vibe as on stage at live performances, so its difficult to judge it. Sometimes I get it wrong. I don’t mean to come across irritated, if that’s the right word, but I must put a full stop on things. Someone might say play ‘Lost John’ and I’ll do it, but then this will be followed by a barrage of requests for my dad’s back catalogue. Then if I don’t go through that list because I did that other one, then I end up with people saying you didn’t do mine, followed by criticism that I don’t like my dad’s stuff, or have no respect for him, which just isn’t true.”
“Dad’s advice to me was that if there is any chance of me surviving in this industry you’ve got to write your own songs, which I am doing and I always re-iterate this when I’m doing live concerts or online. So, when people shout out for me to play one of dad’s hits, I remind them of what Dad said. People can’t then criticise as it would be going against dad’s wishes.”
TECHNICAL LEARNING CURVE
I ask Peter if he is interacting more during the lockdown, whereas when he was on the road touring that contact was more sporadic, dipping in and out of social media.
“Well, it’s a different style of social media. This is more structured now, whereas before lockdown it would be a bit more random. I was always on social media sharing stuff and using it as a promotional source, as well as being in contact with the fans.”
He laughs “I don’t think the lockdown has benefitted much, other than improving my streaming skills!”
What he does feel is that live streaming has taken away the chance to banter with his band and interact the same way with his audience that live concerts provide.
Peter adds “It’s taken away the spontaneity. Normally when I do a live show, not one is the same. I have some great supporters that came to every gig I did last year. Some were based in the North East, but came down to London, then they’d come to see us in Liverpool at the Cavern Club and other venues. It’s great fun and I get a great rapport with those individuals. They say they like coming because every show is not the same. Whereas when I’m on my own in front of the camera there is only so many ways you can do things. Although I try to do a variety and may throw in a different cover song, or one of my new ones.”
This was a good opportunity to ask about his song writing and how that’s being managed during lockdown, especially as this process for him sometimes takes place at writing retreats. Peter is a scholar of the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation and it was there at one of the retreats last year that he wrote his latest single “Thank You Texas” due to be released for download on 1st August 2020.
“The creative side is a challenge now. When I am at home in this apartment during normal times, I would get a few hours to myself while my son goes to the park or to nursery. But during lockdown I don’t have those opportunities.”
Peter smiles “It’s difficult to think of a new song when you’ve got The Wheels on The Bus Go Round and Round, being blared out! I have created various versions of my son’s favourite kiddie songs, which he likes, and requests and I play ‘one little finger’ grooving out. But it doesn’t help the creative process as much.”
Lots of artists have had to adapt to using new technology to get their live music out there to audiences, using apps like Zoom.
“Necessity is the mother of all invention.” Peter adds
“This goes for me especially. I’d never used Zoom before and now use it on a regular basis. I’ve also learnt how to cross-stream on various platforms.”
On Sunday 26th July Peter did a live performance on LEPA Lubbock Entertainment and Performing Artists Association in Texas to promote his new single “Thank You Texas”.
“I didn’t realise you could do these things and of course the great benefit of cross-posting – live streaming through different Facebook pages, is that followers on other pages get to see you and then hopefully become part of my fan base, but also my fans will also be introduced to that page as well, so it’s mutually beneficial.”
GREATEST INDULGENCE
Music talk turns to family matters. I ask Peter if he’s had any indulgences during lockdown and had he gained what is being referred to as the ‘Covid Pound’.
Peter grasps the opportunity to illiterate “Surely you mean’ Covid Kilos’. I’ve not really been indulging. Just exercising less.” He laughs
“If it had just been my wife and I, we probably would’ve been binge watching tv because we wouldn’t normally be able to do that. But we’re in lockdown with our son, so he gets priority. I have been binge watching a lot of Peppa Pig.”
It’s been a challenging time for Peter and his wife.
“We’ve had to fight our local council for my son’s support, which we won.”
Eric is now 5 and the therapy they fought hard to get is coming on leaps and bounds and Eric can converse more. When they first came to the UK they were forced to use government provision, but found their local council Lambeth’s provision wasn’t as good as a system they had been using in the US and a system that has been used globally too. The local system was not suitable for Eric’s level of autism and they found that he regressed instead of progressed.
“We said he wasn’t ready for school and asked for his starting date to be deferred for a year, but they wouldn’t do that, but when he went to school, he regressed. We went to a tribunal and won. We now have intense therapy for him to help prepare him for school when he goes back in September. He is starting to learn sentence structure and been responding nicely. My wife tried different approaches and now found one that works really well. He’s been a real challenge, the biggest being his sleep pattern. If he naps, the last time that happened he was awake for 72 hours straight.”
There have been other unexpected challenges for Peter during lockdown.
“My car died on me. But I’m now the proud owner of a 2010 Prius. Shopping has been a challenge too. Home delivery slots pretty much impossible. Quite rightly that front line staff and high-risk categories are given priority. That’s the way it had to be. So, I got gloved up and masked up, put my jogging pants on and some old shoes that I’ve had for five years. Hand gel before I left and glove up, spray the shopping cart, do shopping and before journey home, spray car so I’m not contaminated when I get home. I’ll put shopping inside door and wash all of that before putting away. Decontaminate shoes and strip off, wash completely and dress into something else. I found that shopping was a 4-hour trip each time!”
As we’re chatting, I am conscious of the time and quickly ask him about his new single that is due out on 1st August and keen to find out the story behind “Thank You Texas”
“I’m a big patriot as I was brought up in the US, which a lot of people don’t know. I was born in London because my dad was doing a show called Cinders in the West End. But we’d been living mostly in Lake Tahoe, California. So, whenever I’m away for too long and get a chance to go back it’s like a warm blanket. On this occasion I’d been away gigging on a cruise ship. I flew in via Atlanta and then into Austin, Texas to pick up the Hertz car rental. It’s in the lyrics of the song. I got into Austin at 9pm and went to pick up the rental and drive 5 and a half hours to Lubbock, Texas through the night to get up in the morning at the writing retreat I was heading to.”
“Something I’ve never mentioned to anyone, there was a woman at the rental car who was blatantly drunk and couldn’t find her rental car, which wasn’t even a Hertz one. She was screaming at the guy helping me, for not helping her! Then she found her car and we saw her loading two kids into it. She was very inebriated. He says to me, ‘look can we stop what we’re doing so I can call the Police?’ If she was on her own that’s her problem, but she’s putting two kids in the car, so I didn’t hesitate and said go ahead.”
“Eventually, I’m on the road, really tired by now. But I put down the window, driving along the tarmac road, no streetlights, all I can see is stars and my headlights hitting the road. As I downed the window, I got the air, I got that southern breeze, and it did just feel like I’m home!”
I ask Peter how the collaboration thing works. He points out that as a scholar of the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation he gets opportunities to attend various writing retreats.
“At Lubbock, when you get up in the morning at 9am and after breakfast, they announce on a sheet on the wall who is going to be grouped together, normally into threes. You go off to either the hotel you’re staying at, or a studio, or a bank as it was for me a few times that has been designed by a lovely interior designer called Melissa in Lubbock. Each evening we have a different venue to perform. It’s intense, but great fun. You never know who you are going to be writing with and you’ve never met these people before. But when you get in the room with these people you find out each other’s style. Then swop ideas, sometimes none of you have, or one of you have, but you work it out.”
At the session in Lubbock, Peter was working with two Texans, Jerry Serrano and Madi Davis. Peter told them he'd had that feeling of the journey from Austin to Lubbock the whole time he’d been at the retreat.
“So, I said I wanted to write this, and they said definitely, because it was thanking Texas for bringing me home.”
I had the opportunity of a sneak preview online via Peter’s website. Listening to it I was overcome with a warm contentment. I could feel that Texas air. Sweeter than a margarita on a summer’s night.
Peter’s new single “Thank You Texas” is available for download from Saturday 1st August 2020. And the music video that accompany's the single can be found on Peter's Facebook page.
The single will also form part of a new album, already planned before lockdown. Watch out for that...
Val Weedon
July 2020
THANK YOU PETER
More on Peter at www.PeterDonegan.com
Other Zoom interviews can be found on the Features page
ZOOMING IN ON SINGER/SONGWRITER PETER DONEGAN
Talking about the L Word, and not just Life, Loves and Lockdown,
INTRO
It’s been a few years since I first came across Peter Donegan and his music. As a writer and music fan I’m always on the look out for interesting artists. Peter’s surname rang a bell and I soon discovered his family history. But it was Peter’s music that had captured my attention.
Then, Peter appeared on The Voice and although it was sad to have him knocked out so soon into the competition, I could see that appearing on the show was a great opportunity to showcase his talent.
I have been particularly impressed at his willingness to personally interact with his fans, both on social media and at his concerts signing autographs and just chatting. This is something I know fans really appreciate.
So when the opportunity to ask Peter if he would be interested in doing a Zoom interview with me talking about the Covid crisis and his lockdown experiences, I jumped at the chance to approach him and was delighted when he agreed.
One of the things I had in mind before doing the interview was to avoid mentioning the “L” word! No, not Lockdown, but Lonnie! I was aware that Peter has been working hard to carve out a music career for himself and wanted the interview to be about Peter and his music, not his famous father. Although I knew this would be a real challenge as his Dad is a music legend and was such a huge part of Peter’s life. I knew it was going to be like those quiz shows where you have avoid using the words Yes or No. So, I was quite relieved when Peter was the first one to raise the subject and use the “L” word when I ask him about lockdown:
Peter explains:
“I had flown into the UK from the States, just before lockdown at the end of February. It was very frustrating in the professional sense, because I’d just done a tour of the US, where I’d just got accepted as being Peter Donegan and no one was looking at my family history, and those that did had a different mentality towards it in comparison to the UK. In the US they would just say, so your dad is Lonnie Donegan, how cool, but what are you doing. Whereas in the UK they would say, oh cool your dad is Lonnie Donegan – sing My Old Man’s a Dustman!”
It’s not surprising there has been a fascination with Peter’s family connection. Lonnie Donegan is a British national treasure and a pioneer of popular music, particularly for working class people in the 50’s and 60’s. Peter feels his dad was the most important person in the British music industry and led the way for artists such as The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and many more who were influenced and inspired by him to take up music as a career. Although Peter acknowledges this, and is happy to pay homage to his dad’s music, he regularly has to remind fans he’s not a tribute act for his dad’s music. More on this later.
We get back to talking about the lockdown and its affects on Peter, his music, and his family.
“Lockdown was scary” Peter reflects. “But it was necessary, as we didn’t know what we were dealing with. The consensus was that lockdown should’ve happened sooner. In my own family both my mother and her partner have breathing issues and my grandfather is not well either. These were things we needed to take care of. I feel the release of lockdown has been too early.”
Peter outlines his experiences of going shopping and how some people were not obeying the distancing rules “There were people in the supermarket that would just lean across me not wearing masks. I also experienced fights because one person would be respecting the distancing rules and others just didn’t care.”
The conversation turns more serious as Peter talks of his frustration around people arguing the virus is a conspiracy theory.
“Well, it didn’t feel like a conspiracy theory when myself, my wife and child all had the Corona virus. One night I had to call the ambulance out for my wife.”
This revelation really shocked me and I didn’t know how to respond. My heart sank at the thought of them going through such a traumatic and worrying time. Fortunately, they have all recovered.
“People were shocked that I’d had it, but I’ve been tested for antibodies and did offer to donate plasma for those in ICU.”
It is a stark reminder that just because we may not have seen or know anyone with the disease, doesn’t mean it’s not real.
Peter, his wife and son were able to remain together during this time. Peter’s son Eric has autism and it was important for him to continue with his therapy. Peter did have to adapt because their key therapist had to isolate.
“We had to travel by car to north London from south London so that Eric could continue his therapy. There were challenges, but we just dealt with them. We’ve become accustomed to so many conveniences that we take for granted. So, lockdown has meant finding a way of adapting.”
This has also included Peter’s music and he’s been doing live performances every Sunday via the internet streaming services.
“I don’t have the same source of income or the same connection with fans, but at least its something. I am reaching out and connecting, which is important to me. We need to remember we will get back to doing live performances eventually, but I feel I have a responsibility to people who support me, the fans and my band, so I won’t be doing any live shows until I think its safe to invite people to come out. I don’t want to find people saying they’ve caught the virus at one of my concerts. I feel responsible for that.”
I tell Peter that being involved and interacting with his fans is something I had noticed he does a lot and I know from comments on social media that fans really appreciate it.
Peter acknowledges my observation “I will keep that in mind. I guess it’s one of the benefits of having a father in the business. He was the first pop star really and was old school in his approach. Once, when he performed in Blackpool someone asked him if he had somewhere to stay and he’d say he was going to check out some B & B’s. Then this person offered for him to stay at their place and he could sleep on the couch, which he did. Incredible to think that he was Lonnie Donegan, number 1 in the charts, and he would do that. But the concept of celebrity was still developing, and dad was very grounded. He was always connected to the fans and would go and say thank you to them after a gig, because he knew, and was very grateful that, without all those people coming to watch him there wouldn’t be a career.”
It is something that Peter has obviously taken on board and sees it as an opportunity to get feedback about his music too.
“It’s a sounding board for me because people may say they love a new song, or could you play more of this. Of course, sometimes it may not be relevant, for example, someone may say they’ve got all my dad’s records and that I didn’t sound like any of them! Then I have to point out, that’s because I’m not him!”
This prompts me to ask how much this bothered him? Peter goes on to clarify.
“I’m proud of Dad and when I’m on stage I want to do one of his songs in homage to him because its important to me as well as the fans. Where I must be careful is on the live stream as people are sitting behind a computer. It’s not the same vibe as on stage at live performances, so its difficult to judge it. Sometimes I get it wrong. I don’t mean to come across irritated, if that’s the right word, but I must put a full stop on things. Someone might say play ‘Lost John’ and I’ll do it, but then this will be followed by a barrage of requests for my dad’s back catalogue. Then if I don’t go through that list because I did that other one, then I end up with people saying you didn’t do mine, followed by criticism that I don’t like my dad’s stuff, or have no respect for him, which just isn’t true.”
“Dad’s advice to me was that if there is any chance of me surviving in this industry you’ve got to write your own songs, which I am doing and I always re-iterate this when I’m doing live concerts or online. So, when people shout out for me to play one of dad’s hits, I remind them of what Dad said. People can’t then criticise as it would be going against dad’s wishes.”
TECHNICAL LEARNING CURVE
I ask Peter if he is interacting more during the lockdown, whereas when he was on the road touring that contact was more sporadic, dipping in and out of social media.
“Well, it’s a different style of social media. This is more structured now, whereas before lockdown it would be a bit more random. I was always on social media sharing stuff and using it as a promotional source, as well as being in contact with the fans.”
He laughs “I don’t think the lockdown has benefitted much, other than improving my streaming skills!”
What he does feel is that live streaming has taken away the chance to banter with his band and interact the same way with his audience that live concerts provide.
Peter adds “It’s taken away the spontaneity. Normally when I do a live show, not one is the same. I have some great supporters that came to every gig I did last year. Some were based in the North East, but came down to London, then they’d come to see us in Liverpool at the Cavern Club and other venues. It’s great fun and I get a great rapport with those individuals. They say they like coming because every show is not the same. Whereas when I’m on my own in front of the camera there is only so many ways you can do things. Although I try to do a variety and may throw in a different cover song, or one of my new ones.”
This was a good opportunity to ask about his song writing and how that’s being managed during lockdown, especially as this process for him sometimes takes place at writing retreats. Peter is a scholar of the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation and it was there at one of the retreats last year that he wrote his latest single “Thank You Texas” due to be released for download on 1st August 2020.
“The creative side is a challenge now. When I am at home in this apartment during normal times, I would get a few hours to myself while my son goes to the park or to nursery. But during lockdown I don’t have those opportunities.”
Peter smiles “It’s difficult to think of a new song when you’ve got The Wheels on The Bus Go Round and Round, being blared out! I have created various versions of my son’s favourite kiddie songs, which he likes, and requests and I play ‘one little finger’ grooving out. But it doesn’t help the creative process as much.”
Lots of artists have had to adapt to using new technology to get their live music out there to audiences, using apps like Zoom.
“Necessity is the mother of all invention.” Peter adds
“This goes for me especially. I’d never used Zoom before and now use it on a regular basis. I’ve also learnt how to cross-stream on various platforms.”
On Sunday 26th July Peter did a live performance on LEPA Lubbock Entertainment and Performing Artists Association in Texas to promote his new single “Thank You Texas”.
“I didn’t realise you could do these things and of course the great benefit of cross-posting – live streaming through different Facebook pages, is that followers on other pages get to see you and then hopefully become part of my fan base, but also my fans will also be introduced to that page as well, so it’s mutually beneficial.”
GREATEST INDULGENCE
Music talk turns to family matters. I ask Peter if he’s had any indulgences during lockdown and had he gained what is being referred to as the ‘Covid Pound’.
Peter grasps the opportunity to illiterate “Surely you mean’ Covid Kilos’. I’ve not really been indulging. Just exercising less.” He laughs
“If it had just been my wife and I, we probably would’ve been binge watching tv because we wouldn’t normally be able to do that. But we’re in lockdown with our son, so he gets priority. I have been binge watching a lot of Peppa Pig.”
It’s been a challenging time for Peter and his wife.
“We’ve had to fight our local council for my son’s support, which we won.”
Eric is now 5 and the therapy they fought hard to get is coming on leaps and bounds and Eric can converse more. When they first came to the UK they were forced to use government provision, but found their local council Lambeth’s provision wasn’t as good as a system they had been using in the US and a system that has been used globally too. The local system was not suitable for Eric’s level of autism and they found that he regressed instead of progressed.
“We said he wasn’t ready for school and asked for his starting date to be deferred for a year, but they wouldn’t do that, but when he went to school, he regressed. We went to a tribunal and won. We now have intense therapy for him to help prepare him for school when he goes back in September. He is starting to learn sentence structure and been responding nicely. My wife tried different approaches and now found one that works really well. He’s been a real challenge, the biggest being his sleep pattern. If he naps, the last time that happened he was awake for 72 hours straight.”
There have been other unexpected challenges for Peter during lockdown.
“My car died on me. But I’m now the proud owner of a 2010 Prius. Shopping has been a challenge too. Home delivery slots pretty much impossible. Quite rightly that front line staff and high-risk categories are given priority. That’s the way it had to be. So, I got gloved up and masked up, put my jogging pants on and some old shoes that I’ve had for five years. Hand gel before I left and glove up, spray the shopping cart, do shopping and before journey home, spray car so I’m not contaminated when I get home. I’ll put shopping inside door and wash all of that before putting away. Decontaminate shoes and strip off, wash completely and dress into something else. I found that shopping was a 4-hour trip each time!”
As we’re chatting, I am conscious of the time and quickly ask him about his new single that is due out on 1st August and keen to find out the story behind “Thank You Texas”
“I’m a big patriot as I was brought up in the US, which a lot of people don’t know. I was born in London because my dad was doing a show called Cinders in the West End. But we’d been living mostly in Lake Tahoe, California. So, whenever I’m away for too long and get a chance to go back it’s like a warm blanket. On this occasion I’d been away gigging on a cruise ship. I flew in via Atlanta and then into Austin, Texas to pick up the Hertz car rental. It’s in the lyrics of the song. I got into Austin at 9pm and went to pick up the rental and drive 5 and a half hours to Lubbock, Texas through the night to get up in the morning at the writing retreat I was heading to.”
“Something I’ve never mentioned to anyone, there was a woman at the rental car who was blatantly drunk and couldn’t find her rental car, which wasn’t even a Hertz one. She was screaming at the guy helping me, for not helping her! Then she found her car and we saw her loading two kids into it. She was very inebriated. He says to me, ‘look can we stop what we’re doing so I can call the Police?’ If she was on her own that’s her problem, but she’s putting two kids in the car, so I didn’t hesitate and said go ahead.”
“Eventually, I’m on the road, really tired by now. But I put down the window, driving along the tarmac road, no streetlights, all I can see is stars and my headlights hitting the road. As I downed the window, I got the air, I got that southern breeze, and it did just feel like I’m home!”
I ask Peter how the collaboration thing works. He points out that as a scholar of the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation he gets opportunities to attend various writing retreats.
“At Lubbock, when you get up in the morning at 9am and after breakfast, they announce on a sheet on the wall who is going to be grouped together, normally into threes. You go off to either the hotel you’re staying at, or a studio, or a bank as it was for me a few times that has been designed by a lovely interior designer called Melissa in Lubbock. Each evening we have a different venue to perform. It’s intense, but great fun. You never know who you are going to be writing with and you’ve never met these people before. But when you get in the room with these people you find out each other’s style. Then swop ideas, sometimes none of you have, or one of you have, but you work it out.”
At the session in Lubbock, Peter was working with two Texans, Jerry Serrano and Madi Davis. Peter told them he'd had that feeling of the journey from Austin to Lubbock the whole time he’d been at the retreat.
“So, I said I wanted to write this, and they said definitely, because it was thanking Texas for bringing me home.”
I had the opportunity of a sneak preview online via Peter’s website. Listening to it I was overcome with a warm contentment. I could feel that Texas air. Sweeter than a margarita on a summer’s night.
Peter’s new single “Thank You Texas” is available for download from Saturday 1st August 2020. And the music video that accompany's the single can be found on Peter's Facebook page.
The single will also form part of a new album, already planned before lockdown. Watch out for that...
Val Weedon
July 2020
THANK YOU PETER
More on Peter at www.PeterDonegan.com
More Zoom interviews in the Features section