Carol Decker and T’Pau first appeared on the music scene in 1987 with the quadruple platinum album Bridge of Spies which spawned five hit singles including the US smash Heart and Soul which stayed on the Billboard charts for six months. China in Your Hand remained at the top of the UK charts for five weeks and the country went T’Pau mad.
The albums Rage and The Promise followed as did sell out tours culminating in performances at Wembley Arena and Birmingham NEC.
Having recently become a mainstay of Here & Now tours and Rewind festivals, Carol marks the 25th anniversary of T’Pau with a headline UK tour in April, May and June with co-founder Ronnie Rogers, and a new compilation CD/DVD The Story Behind The Tracks.
What are your memories of T’Pau’s success?
“I can’t believe it’s been 25 years. Sometimes it seems like five minutes ago but then I catch an old T’Pau video and we all look like babies and I realise how long ago it was. I look at my daughter Scarlett who is now 14 and I see her face not mine in those videos. My memories range from reigning at number one in many countries to shaking hands with the great and the good: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Elton John, Debbie Harry; singing for Charles and Diana; selling out arenas; tons of exciting show biz bashes like the Brits and the Ivor Novello Awards and of course when we misbehaved on tour!
“In the years immediately after, there seemed to be somewhat of an 1980s back-lash. It was a politically challenging time, the music and fashion were laughed off as uncool and lacking substance, but now we can’t get enough of it.”
What’s your experience of that in/out cycle and why are we all 1980s crazy again?
“For a time we were almost reviled as cheesy 1980s pop stars and I was totally out in the cold. It was incredulous to me as the 1980s was the most diverse, creative and imaginative decade for everything from technology to fashion and music, it was such an optimistic time. I think after the dirge of the 1990s people wanted to have fun again and so rediscovered us. I got a call in 2001 to do a Here & Now tour and I haven’t stopped working since on a variety of 1980s line-ups and big 1980s weekenders.
“The live work is the thing, people want to see us in the flesh. Performing live has always been vital to what I do. I really enjoyed going to gigs myself, to be in the same room as the artist I admired was so exciting, so the smaller the gig the better from that point of view. Having said that I do really get off on performing to vast crowds at festivals.
“Live work is the mainstay of my career these days with the record companies having practically disintegrated and illegal downloading annihilating that part of our income stream. Being there on the stage is about the only part an artist can control.”
At the height of your success, there was a real surge in the presence and success of women in international music. What do you think inspired that female dominance of music or helped enable it?
“I don’t know why that happened, I have always just done my own thing. I know I was inspired by all sorts of artists, male and female, I didn’t only look at female role models but maybe the time was right for determined women like me to punch through. I can’t speak for the likes of Cher or Madonna’s success any more than I can speak for Bon Jovi’s. This is a tough business and you have to be wilful to get somewhere. You have to believe in your music and persuade the money men that you’re worth a bet.
“In the entertainment world, women over fifty are/were sometimes seen as very much in the shadows, we’re obsessed with the next ingénue and the eternal quest for youth. Recently Olivia Newton John played Brighton on her first UK tour since 1978, Cher and Agnetha from ABBA are about to release new material, Bonnie Tyler is representing the UK at Eurovision and here you are with T’Pau25.”
What do we want from the pop stateswomen that we don’t get from the younger crew?
“The young still like the artists of their own generation, that’s not changed. We older girls appeal to our original fan base and I think that the 40-something demographic wants to hear the music they grew up with and will spend money on going to a show. I think they like the fact that we are still doing it, respect us for it and I think my fans like my single mindedness as well as my music.
“If I’d listened years ago to all the nay-sayers who told me the odds were stacked against success I’d never have had a career so I don’t listen to anyone who thinks I should hang up my mic. I’ll do it when I want to.”
China in Your Hand featured on X Factor last year. What advice would you give young artists trying to make it in the music industry and would you have gone on that type show in your early career?
“I may well have gone down that route, why not? As long as you prove yourself, who cares how you get your break. Having said that I’m SO over reality shows – it’s all a bit dull. I think these shows clog up the industry and it seems like it’s the only way now. The whole point of being a musician is to not conform.
I was 28 when I got my record deal and 30 when China was number one and I was still totally overwhelmed by what happened to me. Maybe I would’ve been even more so if I’d been very young, who knows? I don’t blame kids for giving it a shot, the rewards seem so appealing, but we’ve bred a generation who think it’s their right to be famous on very little talent but there’s no easy way – it’s hard work.”
What can we expect at T’Pau25 live shows?
“We’ll be performing the big hits, favoured album tracks and a couple of ‘ones that got away’. I have a rocking band and I’m so happy that Ronnie can to do the tour.”
What are your personal favourites from the T’Pau back catalogue?
“I love Heart & Soul from Bridge of Spies. It’s hip and a cool groove and my favourite song as a writer. A Place In My Heart from The Promise album has a stadium rock feel and gets you up on your feet! Road To Our Dream from Rage is a story of endeavour, an everyman tale and I think most people connect with the idea that anything worth pursuing isn’t always easy to achieve.”
For full 30 date tour including south coast venues, CLICK HERE:
For the Story Behind The Tracks CD/DVD, CLICK HERE:
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