Photo Credit: Stuart Blythe
The missing link between The Beatles and the Gorillaz, 10cc ruled the pop world at a time – the 1970s – when the charts were dominated by some of the most creative and colourful artists in pop history.
Unlike David Bowie, Queen, Elton John or Rod Stewart – all of whom they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with for a decade – 10cc worked not on image or celebrity-status, but on the art of making highly sophisticated rock masterworks into simple-sounding pop hits.
As founding member Graham Gouldman says, “Our main influences were The Beatles and the Beach Boys. Then there was all the other stuff …” “For me it was people like Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Jimmy Webb, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers. Eric [Stewart] was more rock ’n’ roll, the blues and R&B; while Kevin [Godley] and Lol [Creme] were sort of Jacques Brel, more artistic and avant-garde. “
“It’s what happened when we put all those things together that made 10cc.” The result was some of the greatest pop records of the 20th century. – and 30 million album sales worldwide !!
From their breakthrough hit ‘Donna’ in 1972 to their final No 1 – ‘Dreadlock Holiday’ – in 1978 10cc pretty well owned the pop charts… even though in the latter stages two of the original four , Kevin Godley & Lol Creme had departed. Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart continued – with the help of Rick Fenn (he’s still here!) and Paul Burgess (him too !!) until an untimely and serious motor accident sidelined Eric Stewart for some considerable time. He would continue to feature with10cc but mainly in a recording/producing role (except for the ‘full re-union’ touring ..see below)
10cc have rarely ceased touring, and always with the core members, Gouldman, Fenn & Burgess – including a ‘full re-union’ of all four original members between 1991-1995: but since then these three members, together with Mick Wilson and Mike Stevens, continue to tour, record and take their unique pop mastery to every corner of the globe, delighting die-hard fans and converting hundreds of thousands more to their infectious, million-selling hit sound.
It may be 40 years since 10cc evolved from Strawberry Studios in Stockport, Cheshire, UK, but the 10cc sound and group members are as solid and strong as ever. In fact – there’s almost too many hits to play in one performance…
‘Dreadlock Holiday, ’I’m Not In Love’ ’Wall Street Shuffle’, ‘Things We Do For Love’, ‘Rubber Bullets’, and ‘I’m Mandy Fly Me’ are not just million-selling singles… this is not just a soundtrack for one generation … but for generation after generation. ….. like-wise… ‘The Dean & I’, ‘Donna’, ‘Life Is A Minestrone’, Art For Art’s Sake’, Good Morning Judge’, ‘Feel The Benefit’ and ‘Silly Love’ …….
Dont just come and hear 10cc – come and experience these magical songs, these magical years –
re-live that fantastic age (if you are of that age !!) – or come and wonder at its mastery (if you are of more tender years !!!). Either way … its a night – and a performance not to miss !!
www.10ccworld.com
2012 Tour Dates
Wed 14 Mar – Trak Live Lounge Bar VIC
Thu 15 Mar – Regent Multiplex, Ballarat VIC
Fri 16 Mar – Hotel Shoppingtown VIC
Sat 17 Mar – Chelsea Heights Hotel VIC
Wed 21 Mar – The Tivoli QLD
Sat 24 Mar – Factory Theatre NSW
Sun 25 Mar – The Theatre on The Concourse NSW
Visit Bluesfest Touring for full details and tickets.