The Jewish Telegraph interviewed Graham the other week about his forthcoming concert in Manchester...

NO CHANCE OF 10CC REUNION

Rock legend Graham Gouldman has broken the hearts of all 10cc fans by ending speculation of the original line-up reuniting.
And in further bad news for fans, Graham, 57, admitted that the Manchester group destroyed all songs that didn't feature on their albums. However, there is some good news - Graham is writing again with 10cc partner Kevin Godley.

"We stayed in touch over the years," he said. "Then Kevin suggested we write together for no reason. We've been enjoying it for too long now, so it's time we did something with the songs. We don't know whether we will give the songs to other artists or record them ourselves."

Since leaving 10cc, Godley had a string of hits with fellow band member Lol Creme and also forged a new career as a video music director. His most recent video was for Will Young's number one hit Leave Right Now.

Meanwhile, Graham also enjoyed post-10cc success. He formed Wax with Andrew Gold and also reformed 10cc for a number of years with Eric Stewart.

Graham will be making a rare live appearance in Manchester next month. He will be performing at the Bridgewater Hall on Sunday, February 29 (5.45pm) in aid of North Cheshire Jewish Primary School's 30th anniversary.

He will play many of his 10cc songs along with hits which he wrote in the 1960s.

Tickets, priced £15.50, are available from 0161-282 4500 or on the credit card hotline 0161-832 1111.
Tickets can also be ordered online at www.ticketline.co.uk

"I had a call from Angie Becker who is on the North Cheshire committee and also works for Kennedy Street - the company which looked after 10cc," Graham said. "I have nothing to do with the school but I always love coming to Manchester."

In addition to his project with Godley, Graham is also working with a writer in Italy.

"We've had records released in Italy recorded by Italian artists," he said, adding: "The market in the UK is different to how it was. It's now a profit-driven market; image conscious and young. I also write for that market but I have to compromise myself a bit towards it. I'm just glad I'm not starting out now."

Two weeks ago, Alan Parsons Project founder member Eric Woolfson told the Jewish Telegraph that he wouldn't be the songwriter he is today without the help of Graham's dad, Hymie.

Graham said : "I'm always happy to talk about my father. He was the biggest influence on me. I always used to phone him during my 10cc days for help. Kevin called him 'Hyme the Rhyme'. He loved words. He always taught me to be original. He had high standards. He was a genius. What he did for a living was incidental, it was the writing that he lived for. And some of that has rubbed off on me. Dad wouldn't be able to tolerate much of today's music. I would have had to steer him towards the good music. I'd be saying, 'Dad, keep away from the Westlife songs'." Of 10cc's lasting appeal, Graham told me "It's nice to know that I've left something of value behind. It's great to be able to bring enjoyment to people."

"There will never be a box set of unreleased 10cc songs because there is no archive material. We destroyed everything we didn't use. I don't regret it but I suppose it would have been interesting for people to have heard a different version of I'm Not In Love."

Graham also believes that the success of the group's singles may have affected album sales.

"It's nice when people record versions of our songs, but I'm more interested in what I'm working on now and in the future. It would also be nice if people didn't just listen to our hits but delved deeper into our albums. It's like we are two bands - a singles band and an albums band. The success of our singles may have diverted people away from the albums."


Thanks once again to Mike Cohen and The Jewish Telegraph for use of the interview.