Rock Till We Drop: Martin Kemp and Lady Leshurr introduce their bands
Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp and MOBO award winning grime artist Lady Leshurr want to show the world when it comes to rock ‘n’ roll, you’re never too old if you’ve got the talent.
For this brand-new BBC Two four-part series, they form two rival bands of musicians over the age of 64 and get them to rock out the main stage of the Isle of Wight Festival. It’s then up to the crowd of 65,000 to decide which band they love the most…
In just eight weeks, mentors Martin Kemp and Lady Leshurr audition and form their rock bands. Both Martin Kemp and Lady Leshurr also call-in help from top musical director friends as well as renowned stage performers including X-Factor finalist Fleur East, soul singer Mica Paris and the Darkness front man Justin Hawkins.
CT2
Lady Leshurr
Hello Lady Leshurr!
What made you want to get involved in the series Rock Till We Drop?
I wanted to get involved in this project because it’s something that’s never happened before. I always love being a part of something that is going to shift cultural perception. In my experience, I have found the music industry to be ageist at times; I have been asked to make my age younger, suggesting I don’t have a lot of time left if I want to make it, which is quite upsetting and frustrating because talent doesn’t have a time limit! It’s refreshing that there is now a TV show where the older generation gets an opportunity to showcase their talent and prove to the world that they still have what it takes.
What was the series highlight for you?
Meeting people from different walks of life - different ages, different accents - those that are older than me and have had so much experience within the music industry and their personal lives which is what has made them the person they are today. I think when I started choosing the people I wanted in my band and seeing them eventually meet was such a great thing to watch. I loved being there throughout to see their friendships blossom; I’m sure they have made friends for life!
What was one of the hardest things about making the series?
The hardest thing was not being able to be there for my band to show support when they performed at the Isle of Wight due to Covid. It was like I was there the whole way, and then at the final hurdle I couldn’t be there to support them.
What would you say to any musicians and singers out there who still feel it’s not too late for them?
I’d say keep pushing. There is no limit on anything in life. You can wake up tomorrow and be the biggest superstar in the world, or you can post a video and it can go viral within seconds. Nothing is guaranteed but anything is possible!
Can you share one golden piece of advice from your time and experience in the music industry?
One thing I had to learn the hard way is that you have to trust your gut. When things don’t feel right, chances are they aren't. You must surround yourself with positive, impactful people that only want the best for you and your career, otherwise it can mentally and spiritually break you - changing you into a person you never thought you’d be.
Rock Till We Drop introduces us to people from all walks of life and all ages, even a 95 year old drummer. What inspired you most about the people you met?
What inspired me the most about these talented people was that they still had so much more to give. It’s all about the fight, and the fact that they still had the confidence and the strength to audition, which shows a lot.
If you could be in a band like the two that appear in Rock Till We Drop – what would you name your band?
I think I’d call my band MOM. It would be an all female band and every band member would be a mother!
What will you take away / what have you learnt most about this generation of rockers?
I have learnt that they’ve got way more heart and passion than the younger generation!
Martin Kemp
What made you want to get involved in Rock Till We Drop?
I loved this the moment I first heard the idea; it’s the stuff dreams are made of, just when you think life has passed you by, an opportunity like this comes along.
To be able to give these bands a moment they have always dreamed of on one of the biggest festival stages in Britain was something I will never forget.
What was one of the hardest things about making the series?
The hardest thing has to be telling some of the guys that we couldn’t take them along to the next stage, as a performer I know how much that hurts…
What did you learn about yourself doing this project?
Just how much I miss being on that stage with a band, feeling the love of 65,000 people, it’s a buzz you just can’t recreate.
What would you say to any musicians and singers out there who still feel it’s not too late for them?
It’s never too late… You always have to remember, music is and should always be a hobby… even if you’re super successful, it’s still a hobby.
Can you share one golden piece of advice from your time and experience in the music industry?
Never change your artistic point of view for someone else’s. If you succeed it has to be your success and if you fail it has to be your failure.
Tell us about some of the challenges getting each band ready to play the Isle Of Wight main stage?
The main challenge getting the bands ready to play the IOW was turning them from solo musicians that mostly played in their living rooms to a band and getting them to understand that being in a band wasn’t just about playing music together but living and working together and how give and take plays a big part of making a band work.
If you could be in a band just like the two that appeared in Rock Till We Drop – what would your band name be?
STARDUST… because for ten minutes on a sunny afternoon in September some definitely spilled a tub of the stuff on these guys.
What will you take away / what have you learnt most about this generation of rockers?
That for some, life can be like a good rock song with its climax in the last 16 bars…
Meet Lady Leshurr’s Band
Lead singer - Bette aged 77, Barnsley
Bette is a miner’s daughter from Barnsley Yorkshire who got into singing as a child after her father made her stand on the table and sing to his mates after work. Bette left for London with £5 in her pocket and made it as a club singer although sadly she missed out on the lead part of the West End production of Hair, as she felt she didn’t have the acting talents.
Prior to lockdown, Bette found herself performing once a month at her local club night. However, with the crowds at just under 200 people, it’s a long way from the thousands at the Isle of Wight Festival.
When she’s not performing, Bette enjoys retirement. She looks after friends’ pets, enjoys walking, drinking coffee and watching tv – a far cry from that of your usual lead singer in a rock band.
Guitarist - Martin aged 67, West Sussex
Postman Martin, lives in a static caravan with his wife in West Sussex. When he was in his 30’s, life was very different touring in a band called Peep Show who featured in Kerrang! magazine and played gigs at Reading Festival. Peep Show disbanded and two of the members went on to play with Grace Jones and Shane McGowan, whereas Martin took up a job as a postman.
Martin plays his own songs and rarely does covers - his main styles of music are rock, blues, funk, reggae and soul.
Martin’s rockstar energy and talent wowed mentor Lady Leshurr at the auditions but he was gracious enough to accept the role of lead guitarist instead of lead singer.
Bass player - Carol aged 72, Manchester
Following years of being overlooked by most bands for being female, Carol proved herself by performing in countless bands over the years. At school she started her first girl trio, singing in harmony and playing guitar. Carol’s band once spent an afternoon singing with Tom Jones and shared the same manager that worked with 10cc and Herman’s Hermits.
In 1968 Carol started playing bass professionally and singing back-up vocals in bands touring the UK and Europe. In the 70’s and 80’s Carol ran her own recording studio with her husband and went on to become a wedding and party band musician.
Carol stopped teaching music during lockdown and it put a stop to much of her musical career.
She loves many styles of music and has played everything from big band, Motown, soul, blues, pop and funk.
Back up Guitar/Bass - Brian aged 65, Winchester
Brian was discovered by “the guy that signed Bryan Adams and The Police.” He also recorded in the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio but somewhere along the way, things didn’t work out long-term. “There were failures and it hurt. Life has been Plan B”. Brian has a busy family life with four children and took up work as a painter and decorator.
At the age of 61, Brian realised he had lived his entire life with undiagnosed ADHD. Brian is now proud of his ADHD and describes it as his gift and super-power.
Brian is a talented guitarist and bassist and with a vast musical repertoire, he can pick up any song quickly and easily which we discover becomes vitally important as the Isle of Wight Festival draws closer…
Keys - Steve aged 68, North London
Steve is a jack of all trades and has been a cabby, teacher, civil servant and delivery driver.
In the 80’s he was a founding member of the Brit-funk band ‘Central Line’ however he left just before they got a hit single.
Steve has played keys for a number of famous faces including Barry White, Hot Chocolate and Des’ree. Despite this, Steve says, “the ship never came in for me.”
Steve lives in North London and works as a session musician. He is delighted to make it into Lady Leshurr’s band, bringing fun and energy to her line-up.
Drummer - Arty aged 73, Runcorn
Liverpudlian Arty is a man full of determination who doesn’t let anything hold him back. Arty lives with a disability. He contracted polio as a baby and has been a wheelchair user ever since.
When he was 16, Arty asked his parents for a drum kit – when they replied, “You’ll never be able to play with your disability”, this was all the encouragement he needed. He formed a band and his determination paid off. He played in a band for many years and played alongside many of the Merseybeat scene stars.
Alongside music, Arty played wheelchair basketball for 40 years, which took him all over the world with Team GB.
Music wise if it wasn’t released before 1968, Arty probably hasn’t heard it, he is Merseybeat all the way.
Meet Martin Kemp's band
Co-lead Singer – Jimmy aged 74, Lancashire
Jimmy has a raw voice with performance levels to match. He grew up in the North East, living with his publican parents until he walked out in his late teens. He joined a band when he was 16 and has played music ever since.
Jimmy almost played for Tina Turner - he was a back-up keys player should anything go wrong in the middle of the tour, however when it did go wrong, he was in Ibiza and couldn’t be found!
Jimmy’s grandchildren call him the ‘Grand Dude’ and he wants to show them that he still has what it takes in his mid ‘70s.
As well as having an amazing soul voice, Jimmy can play keys and sax.
He lives with his wife in Newcastle and following Covid lockdowns like the majority of the band members, has been desperate to get out and perform.
Co-lead singer - Carmen aged 64, South London
Carmen has a beautiful soul voice and has never had the opportunity to sing professionally. She only came to singing in her mid ‘30s but often sang so quietly that people couldn’t hear her. After singing lessons Carmen’s teacher told her that due to hay fever, she could never turn into a professional singer.
She has only ever sung church music until now so how will Carmen take to rock or pop?
Carmen is recently single, having been in a relationship for the past 42 years. Now in her mid ‘60s, Carmen has moved into her own home and has the support of her adult daughters.
Guitar - Leburn aged 64, Bath
Leburn is American rock ‘n’ roll royalty who has found himself living in rural England and he says it’s “like being in the longest episode of the Archers.”
He has played with Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan, Debbie Harry and formed a Reggae band. Leburn was also on the same stage as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers but life took a different turn when he lost everything to substance abuse.
Leburn made a fresh start with his wife and moved to the UK, he pulled pints and dreamed of the life he could have had. Now single he lives in a bedsit in Bath doing the occasional gig. “I get paid £70 and it costs me £30 in travel – sometimes the only thing for dinner is an onion.”
With the promise of a festival stage and a crowd shouting for more – will a place in Martin’s band bring back Leburn’s ambition and fire for playing?
Bass - Richard aged 72, Sunbury-on-Thames
Richard started playing the guitar at boarding school. He has worked as an engineer for most of his life, including electronics for concord, hearing aid technology and mostly recently repairing industrial catering equipment.
Richard lives with his pet bird in a cottage in Sunbury on Thames.
Richard finds any opportunity he can to get out and play music – whether that be at the local food bank or care home. He says it’s his way to get him out of the house.
Richard’s family haven’t seen him perform for years.
Keys - Eileen aged 80, Aberdeen
80-year-old Eileen started her musical journey during World War 2 when as a child, she used to listen to “all the wonderful singers that were around”. She started playing songs on the piano simply by ear and insists she does read music now.
Relentlessly upbeat, Eileen played for the Royal Family for 25 years at an annual ball, and describes it as, “wonderful, just wonderful”. Over the years she has met the Queen Mother, the Queen and the late Princess Diana.
Eileen still regularly plays in a church band with her children.
Drums - Roy aged 95, Bedfordshire
Roy has been a semi-professional drummer since the age of 16. When Roy was 20, he was in reserved occupation during the war and became a well-known West End drummer. Roy used to play gigs in Working Men’s Clubs and then larger venues across the UK.
Roy now lives with his wife, who he met when he was 50 and married at 51. Roy has no other family apart from his wife’s nieces and nephews.
Roy retired on the eve of his 87th birthday and still plays practice drums at home, he also continues to indulge in his passion for listening to music.
Replacement drums – Barry aged 79, Kent
Barry has been playing the drums since 1961 but in order to make a living, he worked as an electrician until retiring 14 years ago.
Barry joined a band called Gambler in the 1970’s who he still plays with today.
When Barry was 21, he signed to record label Decca and recorded two singles with a band called The Limeys.
Barry also worked as a promoter booking David Bowie and his band for just £50, before they hit the big time.
Barry met Martin Kemp’s musical director Toby Chapman when he was 14 years old, when he asked Tony to join his band. Now Toby is able to give something back to Barry by asking him to be a part of this incredible experience playing at the Isle of Wight Festival in front of a huge live audience.
Barry lives with his wife Maggie of 58 years in Kent and has two daughters, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.