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.