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21 December 2009
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Where Are They now?


You contributed to Spiceworld - The Movie and the S Club 7 TV series. Do you still listen to the charts?
Paul: Up to a point. I don't really play much music at home but I flick through all the stations from Radio 1, Radio 2 to Jazz FM to Heart. I go through the lot. I think that's why I've been so fortunate in selling loads of records because I'm not afraid of change. I've not just stuck in the dance market - I've crossed over to pop before and R&B and rap...

What do you think of Eminem?
Paul: I can take some of it. I think he's really talented. I don't think there's any real reason for him to go as ballistic with his words as he does but the guy is very good. I don't think there's any need for the really horrible side of him to come out. He's good and so were Run DMC. I remember when I was first making records I went over to New York to get the vibe of what was going on there and they were in the same studio as me. I thought, s*** they're mixing rap with rock - it was when they did 'Walk This Way' with Aerosmith. So, there are a lot of good artists out there, but my favourite band is Pink Floyd.

Since you've been around for 20 years you must have met a lot of your heroes?
Paul: Yeah. I got to produce the last single of Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott. I've also worked with Ian Dury, Barry White, Five Star...I can't have a go at my career. It's been brilliant.

Can you tell us how you got to do the TOTP theme?

Paul: Well, that was a big highlight of my career! There are not many people who have been asked to do that. Phil Lynott did it before me! I was doing TOTP with Carol Kenyon with 'Don't Waste My Time'. We were at No.8 that week and they said: 'You're opening on TOTP this week'. All of a sudden we came off and Michael Hurl, the producer, said: 'Nice to meet you.' He was God then! And he asked if I was interested in doing the theme. Yes please! A few minutes after I phoned up Simon Fuller - he was my manager - and I told him and he said: 'You're joking - I don't believe you!' It was an absolute buzz!

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  Dave Dee  
  Dave Dee discusses the hazards of using a bullwhip on stage.  
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  We chat to androgynous Dead or Alive frontman about the '80s revival.  
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  Middle Of The Road  
  Ken Andrew talks about the cheap and chirpy world of Middle Of The Road...  
  Howard Jones  
  We ask the synth wizard a heap of questions, including "What is love?"  
  Paul Hardcastle  
  We speak to the Electro-pop wizard about his TOTP memories...  
  The Stranglers  
  The history of The Stranglers, according to bassist and songwriter JJ Burnel.  
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  Mark Moore tell us what he's up to these days.  
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  He's back! And music is still his favourite waste of time.  
  Bucks Fizz  
  We speak to Cheryl Baker about Eurovision, Jay Aston and mini-skirts  
  The Foundations  
  We track down Clem Curtis of 'Build Me Up Buttercup' fame  


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