NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE

One of the most unlikely pop acts to grace the british music scene at a time when Thatcherism dominated politically was a short, skinhead by the name of Jimmy Sommerville. The early eighties saw political strikes amongst activist workers, divisions between party governments, and a society unsettled as a whole. Amid the chaos and black depression of the time, amongst The Pet Shop Boys, Blondie and Frankie, Jimmy Somerville (also a gay activist) was emerging forth in the pop world with dance synth based beats and a glass shattering falsetto voice.

"All I ever wanted was to be a member of the young generation. Obscenely tight trousers, cap sleeved T-Shirt and floppy hair. Dancing for the nation on a Saturday Night. All I ended up was being mistaken for a little girl, 'Och hasn't she got lovely hair, och wit a bonnie wee lassie'. Not good when you know your also a bonnie wee poof......."

Glaswegian-born Jimmy first tasted fame with his ground-breaking band 'Bronski Beat' in 1984. Their debut album 'Smalltown Boy' became a huge success all over Europe. The world was suddenly confronted with an unusual falsetto voice which also left a message, that of an isolated and lonely gay youth. After a stream of hits and tours throughout the UK and Europe, the very reluctant star decided he had had enough and needed a rest. Only a couple of months later 'The Communards' was borne, partnered by Jimmy's good friend, keyboard player Richard Cole.

"I had already met Cole a few years previously, as we had worked together on 'Framed Youth'. It was Richard who had encouraged me to sing. I was very close to him at this point. He made me laugh so much. And who else would hang out with a man with a pink triangle dyed into the middle of his hair!"

'The Communards experienced hit after hit for the following three years, the material - good old-fashioned gay disco reflecting Jimmy's political and social stance, and he continued to speak out on gay issues which did in no way harm his singles being sold in huge quantities. 'Don't leave me this way' made its way to #1 and held the spot for four weeks. The Communards fell apart when Richard ultimately decided to pursue a career as a religious commentator which left the ambitious and brilliant song-writer Jimmy alone to embark on a solo career.

During his solo career, Jimmy chalked up 5 hit singles and two albums 'Read My Lips' and 'The Singles Collection', also contributing much of his time to Aids Awareness projects.

"Its 89' and I'm on the move again. This time it's solo. 'Read My Lips' was created during a period of intense political involvement and if I think back it was also a period of bereavement. By this time I had known too many people who were sick or who had died. I was still angry. 'Act Up' was born out of frustration and the terrible complacency that I felt surrounded HIV and AIDS. There was still so much discrimination and hysteria"

 

Jimmy's solo work brought forth his personal experiences of anger and elation of the last four years. 'Dare to Love' is Jimmy's solo release of '95. A mixture of pop/dance numbers. It entered the USA dance chart at number one and UK charts at number 24.

 

"In the last few years, I've really lived life, and discovered myself. I've also discovered what it's like to be a part of a peer group that's been touched by the grief and anger of Aids, which has taken away several close friends. The new songs I've written deal with these very personal experiences of life, love, sex and death."

1996 took Jimmy around the world touring with his singers in places such as Russia, Canada, San Francisco, Kazakstan. The release of 'Dark Sky' in 1997, he says, was different to anything he had ever done before.

Throughout 1999 he continued to perform all round Europe and in November performed alongside George Michael, Boy George and Elton John at The Royal Albert Hall. During 2000 he performed a sold out show in Dresden (Germany) and in 2001 played a five night stint in Antwerp with crowds exceeding 18,000! The highlight of his career in 2001 was a worldwide deal with Media Records. He continues to write and record to this very day.

"I've spent the last two years writing, drinking, writing, messing around, producing. The odd near successful relationship here and there. Too greedy me! I dont want the cake, I want the cake shop!"

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In association with amazon.co.uk

A powerful collection of songs these cover versions may have provided Somerville with his biggest hits, but the original material is still truly unique and powerful. An accessible, popular musical account of the 80's lifestyle, politics, and the radical potential music has for social and cultural change. In short a brilliant album and some of his finest work.

The Very Best of Jimmy Somerville

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