WEBVTT 00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:02.819 This is Nick and Sue on Chatterbox, giving you 00:00:02.819 --> 00:00:05.120 all you need to know about musical entertainment. 00:00:14.339 --> 00:00:17.480 Chatterbox, when the stars talk, they talk to 00:00:17.480 --> 00:00:32.329 Nick and Sue. Welcome back to the Chatterbox 00:00:32.329 --> 00:00:34.950 Redux podcast with Sue and Nick and today our 00:00:34.950 --> 00:01:10.689 special guest is Tony O'Malley. This is Nick 00:01:10.689 --> 00:01:13.890 and Sue, with Chatterbox giving you all you need 00:01:13.890 --> 00:01:49.480 to know about Muse! And now in Chatterbrook UK, 00:01:49.859 --> 00:01:52.459 we're just lucky enough to welcome Tony O'Malley. 00:01:52.700 --> 00:01:54.640 Tony, welcome. How are you, sir? Hello, Tony. 00:01:55.500 --> 00:01:58.420 Hello, hello. Very well, thank you. Very nice 00:01:58.420 --> 00:02:01.420 to be here. Thanks for coming on. Right, now 00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:05.280 a real accomplished career and not only have 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:07.760 you had a very successful solo career, but you've 00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:10.280 been with a few groups as well, working your 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:12.719 way through the years. So let's start at the 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:16.000 beginning. I got you being born in Bushy Hartfordshire. 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:18.240 Tell us a bit about your childhood. Was it a 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:21.340 musical home and who were your influences? Well... 00:02:21.310 --> 00:02:24.710 Well, as a kid, I guess, you know, there was 00:02:24.710 --> 00:02:27.389 music in the house. We had a record player. There 00:02:27.389 --> 00:02:29.509 was a piano in the house. My sister played the 00:02:29.509 --> 00:02:32.689 piano, so therefore I used to go and practice 00:02:32.689 --> 00:02:37.569 on little tunes that I used to make up. Sort 00:02:37.569 --> 00:02:40.330 of something I don't even remember. Maybe it 00:02:40.330 --> 00:02:42.210 was D minor, I found, because it was all white 00:02:42.210 --> 00:02:48.620 notes. Yeah, I'm showing off now. Whatever it 00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:52.840 was, it sounds good. So you were tinkering with 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:54.979 your piano, sort of just the white notes and 00:02:54.979 --> 00:02:57.060 that. So what age would you say you were when 00:02:57.060 --> 00:03:00.120 you could play the piano properly? I've never 00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:04.819 been able to play the piano properly. I'm still 00:03:04.819 --> 00:03:08.490 basically a bluffer, you know. I've got my own 00:03:08.490 --> 00:03:10.990 kind of style. I just picked up mainly from the 00:03:10.990 --> 00:03:13.430 American players that I used to listen to. Ray 00:03:13.430 --> 00:03:16.189 Charles, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, they all 00:03:16.189 --> 00:03:18.210 played. In fact, my favorite piano player of 00:03:18.210 --> 00:03:21.889 all time really is Aretha. And I don't know, 00:03:22.050 --> 00:03:23.629 probably a lot of people don't know that she 00:03:23.629 --> 00:03:26.330 plays great piano. I mean, it's so, she's so 00:03:26.330 --> 00:03:29.530 gospel -y, you know. And Ray Charles played great 00:03:29.530 --> 00:03:34.849 and Marvin played piano too. And so I really 00:03:34.849 --> 00:03:38.990 started learning from those guys and you know 00:03:38.990 --> 00:03:41.650 guy called Richard T who is a huge influence 00:03:41.650 --> 00:03:44.449 on me and played with a band called Stuff and 00:03:44.449 --> 00:03:46.789 most people don't know who Richard T is you know 00:03:46.789 --> 00:03:49.729 the general public but in musical circles he 00:03:49.729 --> 00:03:52.870 was a god you know he played with everybody in 00:03:52.870 --> 00:03:55.629 fact a lot of the soul records that you hear 00:03:55.629 --> 00:03:59.210 and play has probably got Richard T playing the 00:03:59.849 --> 00:04:02.969 playing the piano or the electric piano on it 00:04:02.969 --> 00:04:05.189 and he died very young actually died he was about 00:04:05.189 --> 00:04:10.090 50 and in 1991 or two yeah so he was a great 00:04:10.090 --> 00:04:14.069 influence for me as I was you know as I got in 00:04:14.069 --> 00:04:17.930 more into music and but early on you see I was 00:04:17.930 --> 00:04:21.009 brought up in Harrow, Harrow on the Hill and 00:04:21.009 --> 00:04:23.990 unlike you know ports like Liverpool, Liverpool 00:04:23.990 --> 00:04:26.170 used to get all the music first because it was 00:04:26.170 --> 00:04:30.300 a port all the American stuff you know and And 00:04:30.300 --> 00:04:35.120 in how we tend to get the stuff, we just got 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:43.579 Tommy Steele and all the English stuff. And when 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:46.259 I heard it, anyway, I was into the blues. That 00:04:46.259 --> 00:04:50.639 was my first kind of... Main influence the Beatles 00:04:50.639 --> 00:04:53.160 my brother was into the Beatles. He brought love 00:04:53.160 --> 00:04:57.379 me do home and I was You know, I because from 00:04:57.379 --> 00:05:00.480 then I got into the Beatles and yeah, it was 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:02.920 great. Actually, it was a revolution musically 00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:05.319 speaking How old would you say you were Tony 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:07.699 when you decided? Oh, I want to be like one of 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:10.160 them guys I want to perform live and produce 00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:12.379 our albums and that what sort of age would you 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:14.519 say you were when you decided that was for you? 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:18.220 Well, I don't know. I always wanted to play because 00:05:18.220 --> 00:05:22.480 it was is the kind of thing to do. I knew I could 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:27.199 do it and I don't really know. I guess once when 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:32.540 I was in my late teens I said... Well, you know, 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:36.459 I'll probably, you know, play for a couple of 00:05:36.459 --> 00:05:38.720 years and then sit down and get a job, like, 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:40.920 because that was the thing to do. Although I 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:42.879 didn't want to do that. I just thought that was 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:45.079 maybe what was going to happen. And, you know, 00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:47.860 I thought, well, if I can get on top of the pups 00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:50.740 one day, you know, then that eventually happened 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:54.040 with Arrival. You know, we did top of the pups. 00:05:55.459 --> 00:05:59.819 But, yeah, I can't really say, Nick, when I first 00:05:59.819 --> 00:06:01.879 decided that I you know, I'm going to be a musician. 00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:04.259 But I like being a musician. You know, I like 00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:07.720 that. Yeah, I just wanted to be one, I guess. 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:11.740 because it was, yeah, listening to the Everly 00:06:11.740 --> 00:06:14.500 Brothers, Buddy Holly and all those great, great 00:06:14.500 --> 00:06:17.639 pop songs, you know, at the time. Tell us about, 00:06:17.779 --> 00:06:20.000 please, your first professional gig. Tell us 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:22.180 all about that. Where was it? What did you do? 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:27.399 Professional gig? It was probably with, I mean, 00:06:27.399 --> 00:06:30.100 I was gigging ever since I was 12, you know, 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:33.259 but if you're talking about, yeah, because my 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:36.980 brother and my brother Kevin and a guy at the 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:40.180 top of the road, Terry Horn, he played the drums, 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:42.439 and then Julian Harris played the guitar. We 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:45.540 had like a four -piece and my first instrument 00:06:45.540 --> 00:06:48.300 was a melodica and we used to play the, you know, 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:53.060 the church socials for kids, you know, and then 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:54.939 we did a few, quite a few gigs. We were called 00:06:54.939 --> 00:07:00.370 the Defenders. Yeah. So I was always gigging, 00:07:01.550 --> 00:07:04.230 and then went on to an Irish show band, and then 00:07:04.230 --> 00:07:07.129 a soul band. And the way, if you say turning 00:07:07.129 --> 00:07:09.569 professional, was when the soul band, we got 00:07:09.569 --> 00:07:12.689 a residency at the Baggernails in London, which 00:07:12.689 --> 00:07:16.550 was a club where most of the pop stars of the 00:07:16.550 --> 00:07:20.350 day would go to. you know, to have a good time, 00:07:20.370 --> 00:07:22.509 basically. We became the resident band there 00:07:22.509 --> 00:07:24.410 at the Bag of Nails, and that's when I turned 00:07:24.410 --> 00:07:27.709 professional, and I think I was 18. I mean, I 00:07:27.709 --> 00:07:30.050 think you probably undersold yourself when you 00:07:30.050 --> 00:07:31.970 said about the keyboards and the piano, because 00:07:31.970 --> 00:07:34.910 you are known for playing keyboards as well, 00:07:35.089 --> 00:07:37.470 but it's sort of like when it comes to music, 00:07:37.709 --> 00:07:40.250 Tony, I believe you're multi -talented, so there's 00:07:40.250 --> 00:07:42.550 the songwriting, there's the singing, there's 00:07:42.550 --> 00:07:46.329 the instruments, you've been an arranger, composer. 00:07:46.670 --> 00:07:50.060 Yeah. It was all in the day's work really. Yeah. 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:55.379 I guess, I don't know, I've been lucky really 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:59.860 to be able to sit down at a piano and do stuff. 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:04.459 But I really don't think what I do is that, you 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:07.139 know, it's special really. It's great to be able 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:12.300 to do stuff, you know, to write songs. But what 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:14.899 I really love to do is just work with other great 00:08:14.899 --> 00:08:19.120 musicians and I get off on the musicians playing 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:21.769 really. and I just sit in the background and 00:08:21.769 --> 00:08:29.720 do this sort of thing. You definitely are understanding 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:32.759 yourself, Tony, because even Wikipedia, whether 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:34.940 they're right or wrong, they say your active 00:08:34.940 --> 00:08:38.440 years is 1968 to present. So obviously you were 00:08:38.440 --> 00:08:40.700 a professional before that. But I think the way 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:43.639 you know is a bit more to it than what you've 00:08:43.639 --> 00:08:46.840 just told us. And whether you're special or not, 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:49.480 that is purely down, of course, to the people 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:51.600 that come and watch you and the people that buy 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:54.259 your albums and that. And look at the number 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:57.039 of albums you've done. people think especially 00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:59.580 what you do yeah definitely oh that's great yeah 00:08:59.580 --> 00:09:03.500 um yeah well it's just i don't get to hear about 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:08.059 it that often well if no one had ever heard of 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:09.799 you wouldn't be here there's nothing to talk 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:13.700 about that's true yeah no i am i'm underselling 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:18.879 myself i know uh but um with you know what's 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:22.240 been going on the last 18 months or so it's um 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:25.720 has been much work so uh hardly any You know, 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:29.460 so it's been very difficult, I think, although 00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:32.159 I've been lucky because I was streaming and that's 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:37.679 held my sanity together. And because I once a 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:39.879 week I would, you know, well I would prepare 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:43.019 a week actually, prepare the songs and just go 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:47.399 online and you know, I had a small audience and 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:52.360 it kept me sane really. Well, we'll get you to 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:55.019 plug that at the end, you know, make sure the 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.879 people know how they can find you and where you 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:59.299 do the streaming and, you know, tell them about 00:09:59.299 --> 00:10:01.980 your website. I'm sort of quite interested in 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:05.480 this late 60s bit. Let's see, I was after the 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:09.679 soul band, which was Malcolm McGarran and the 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:12.320 Blues Healers and then which became Ronnie Jones 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:15.509 and the Q -set. It's just the organ play, you 00:10:15.509 --> 00:10:18.289 know, you didn't have keyboards like this in 00:10:18.289 --> 00:10:20.830 those days. You had maybe, if you were lucky 00:10:20.830 --> 00:10:26.490 enough to get, you know, Offender Rhodes, you 00:10:26.490 --> 00:10:29.710 know, which you get this sort of sound out of 00:10:29.710 --> 00:10:35.289 it. But they didn't really, they existed, but 00:10:35.289 --> 00:10:37.590 not so much in England. So I know it's a bit 00:10:37.590 --> 00:10:40.190 technical here with keyboards and stuff, but... 00:10:40.190 --> 00:10:43.149 Then that was the soul band and I played the 00:10:43.149 --> 00:10:49.250 organ, you know, and then I joined Arrival. but 00:10:49.250 --> 00:10:52.490 this all happened within a few years. Soul Band 00:10:52.490 --> 00:10:57.509 and then Arrival were... Do you know Arrival? 00:10:58.190 --> 00:11:00.789 Yes, I know they had the hit with Friends, I 00:11:00.789 --> 00:11:02.350 think it was. Something, what was it called? 00:11:02.610 --> 00:11:04.850 Friends, yeah. Yeah, Friends, yeah. I'm cheating 00:11:04.850 --> 00:11:07.250 now. Number 8 in the UK, so it did pretty well. 00:11:07.409 --> 00:11:09.669 Actually, I think it got to number 4 on one of 00:11:09.669 --> 00:11:12.649 the charts. In that era, there were so many charts. 00:11:12.730 --> 00:11:16.840 Do you remember? There was like record... Enemy, 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:19.700 the loads of them. We were going on with number 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:23.659 four, so a massive hit, yeah. We always say number 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:29.600 four. Then there was a second hit, which is called 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:32.039 I Will Survive, which is not the Gloria Gaynor 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:35.240 tune, it was pre -Gloria Gaynor. It was a song 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:38.799 written by Frank Collins, I Will Survive. 1970 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:41.679 was quite a year because we went all over the 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:45.809 place, you know, Europe, Japan. We played the 00:11:45.809 --> 00:11:51.370 Isle of Wight Festival, actually, in 1970. Yeah, 00:11:51.649 --> 00:11:53.929 there's quite a story, really. We flew in by 00:11:53.929 --> 00:11:57.110 helicopter to the Isle of Wight for our two o 00:11:57.110 --> 00:12:00.669 'clock spot on the Friday. I think it was Thursday, 00:12:00.750 --> 00:12:04.590 Friday, Saturday, Sunday. There were some really 00:12:04.590 --> 00:12:08.710 fantastic artists playing in 1970, including 00:12:08.710 --> 00:12:13.250 Jimi Hendrix. He didn't go until very late on 00:12:13.250 --> 00:12:17.090 Sunday night. Very, very late and apparently 00:12:17.090 --> 00:12:19.789 he was booed, you know, because he went on late 00:12:19.789 --> 00:12:22.049 and the problems with the sound and stuff like 00:12:22.049 --> 00:12:24.850 that. Anyway, we went on at two o 'clock and 00:12:24.850 --> 00:12:28.009 it was great. It was a lovely day. There was... 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:30.840 thousands, 250 ,000, I think, there already. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:33.360 And then we did our spot, went down great, and 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:36.440 then we came off and got the helicopter back 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:43.700 to Battersea heliport. So by 5 .30... Can you 00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:47.940 hear that noise? Yeah. It's outside. Yeah. I 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:49.799 thought you were... It sounded like you were 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:52.740 on top of the Northern Line or something. No, 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:54.500 this is just the noisy car going back because 00:12:54.500 --> 00:13:00.240 of the road. Just that. Anyway, so I was at South 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:07.039 Kent Station at 5 .30 on the tube, and outside 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:11.220 the tube the sign, Evening Standard, said half 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:13.379 a million expected at the Isle of Wight, and 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:16.179 we just played it. To come back, we couldn't 00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:19.240 stay around because we had a gig. I'm pretty 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:22.740 sure it was in Devizes. Very nice experience. 00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:25.779 But you know, it was fleeting, a fleeting helicopter 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:29.980 visit. Do a show and come back. We had two hit 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:33.100 records with Arrival and our manager was Tony 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:35.960 Hall, dearly departed. He died a couple of years 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:43.000 ago. But we were being, I think, classed as... 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:48.539 You know, like what ABBA became, the two -girl 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:50.600 singers and two -guy singers, because that's 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:53.059 what Arrival was. I was basically just a piano 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:59.460 player. I didn't sing at that time. So we wanted 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:03.309 to go down a different route, more soul. Rhythm 00:14:03.309 --> 00:14:06.889 of Blues, and we were basically, all of us, singers 00:14:06.889 --> 00:14:09.870 included, were musicians, we just wanted to play, 00:14:09.870 --> 00:14:15.309 you know. And so we left Tony Hall and went over 00:14:15.309 --> 00:14:22.529 to CBS, which later became Sony, and they, cut 00:14:22.529 --> 00:14:26.570 a long story short, it all fell apart, and me 00:14:26.570 --> 00:14:33.049 and... We had a guitar player called Nick Cox 00:14:33.049 --> 00:14:37.830 who played with Air Apparent. I think he played 00:14:37.830 --> 00:14:40.549 with Van Morrison too. And he'd done a double 00:14:40.549 --> 00:14:43.870 album. He'd recorded it. But he hadn't recorded 00:14:43.870 --> 00:14:46.389 any singer on it. He'd just done the backing 00:14:46.389 --> 00:14:53.529 tracks. He needed a singer. And he asked me if 00:14:53.529 --> 00:14:56.039 I would... be the singer on this double album. 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:59.440 So I went in the studio, it's my first ever singing 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:04.039 gig in the studio with Shell Townme. He was quite 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:07.360 a renowned record producer and he's blind actually, 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:12.039 but very, very good and a great producer. And 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:14.980 I enjoyed that, working with Shell, because we 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:18.480 were crafting something. I was singing a song 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:22.000 that already had a backing track. And it was 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:25.139 a revelation to do it. So that was my first singing 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:29.039 gig. And then Mick Cox had a band with Terry 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:33.720 Stanard and Charlie Harrison and himself, Mick 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:37.210 Cox. But when we... got to rehearse. Mick just 00:15:37.210 --> 00:15:40.549 wanted to jam it all day, you know, like, you 00:15:40.549 --> 00:15:44.970 know, just on one chord. And after a while, it 00:15:44.970 --> 00:15:48.210 gets kind of gets a bit boring, you know, you 00:15:48.210 --> 00:15:52.110 need to work out the songs and stuff. But so 00:15:52.110 --> 00:15:54.470 me and Terry said, hey, man, let's get a band 00:15:54.470 --> 00:15:56.750 together. And that was the beginning of Kokomo. 00:15:57.230 --> 00:16:00.429 And we got all the musicians, called them all 00:16:00.429 --> 00:16:02.769 up, said, you know, do you want to get something 00:16:02.769 --> 00:16:07.399 going? And We did, we hired a boys club for about 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:11.539 three or four weeks and just auditioned musicians 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:15.200 and eventually the first gig was at the pheasantry 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:19.120 in the Kings Road and the rest is kind of history, 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:22.360 it just went on from there. I wouldn't say we 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:25.539 took London by storm, but we were always working, 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:28.820 we were playing all around the clubs. It was 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:30.860 a big band, it was quite a big band, it was a 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:35.440 ten -piece band. But we created a huge vibe. 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:41.100 And after CBS letting me go, they now were interested 00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:45.279 in signing us. And they offered us a puny amount. 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.919 We said, no, you know, this is a 10 -piece band. 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:52.200 We need looking after. If you want to sign us 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:55.000 up and take a huge percentage, you've got to 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:59.820 give us a huge, you know, a decent advance so 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:03.399 that we can live until the next advance. And 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:05.039 they kind of laughed in our face. We asked for 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:10.319 a hundred grand. This was in 1973, I think. And 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:12.339 they laughed, you know, Dick Asher laughed in 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:15.099 our face. He was the managing director. New York 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:17.920 guy, you know. Ha, you want the hundred grand? 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:21.900 You know, that sort of stuff. Who do you think 00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:26.240 you are? Well, that sort of thing. Anyway, Steve 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:28.740 O 'Rourke, who was the manager of Pink Floyd. 00:17:29.890 --> 00:17:32.609 heard us and he loved us he loved the band and 00:17:32.609 --> 00:17:35.710 he financed an album our first album the first 00:17:35.710 --> 00:17:38.150 Kokomo album he put the money up we went into 00:17:38.150 --> 00:17:40.369 air studios we spent about six months making 00:17:40.369 --> 00:17:45.789 an album and then he took that to CBS and he 00:17:45.789 --> 00:17:48.829 got a hundred grand so he got them he got the 00:17:48.829 --> 00:17:52.309 money probably because he dangled Pete Floyd's 00:17:52.309 --> 00:17:56.910 contract which had run out Yeah, if you sign 00:17:56.910 --> 00:18:02.210 Pink Floyd, you've got to sign Kokomo as well, 00:18:02.289 --> 00:18:04.529 something like that. I don't know the true story. 00:18:06.150 --> 00:18:08.309 We're taking a quick break to talk about the 00:18:08.309 --> 00:18:11.250 fuel behind today's episode. If you're like me, 00:18:11.369 --> 00:18:14.069 coffee isn't just a morning ritual, it's a necessity. 00:18:14.750 --> 00:18:16.990 But let's be honest, the traditional coffee cycle 00:18:16.990 --> 00:18:20.150 usually ends up in a mid -afternoon crash or 00:18:20.150 --> 00:18:22.710 those caffeine jitters that actually make it 00:18:22.710 --> 00:18:25.980 harder to focus. That's why I'm so excited to 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:28.259 share that this show is brought to you in association 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:30.720 with the Strong Coffee Company. Coffee has a 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.920 long history as a traditional medicinal tool 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:35.640 and for centuries it's been revered for its ability 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:38.380 to sharpen the mind and provide the metabolic 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:41.240 sparks needed to conquer the day. The Strong 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:43.319 Coffee Company has taken that ancient wisdom 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:45.460 and supercharged it for the modern professional. 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:48.099 They offer premium instant brands that actually 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:51.400 taste like a high -end barista pour but with 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:54.859 a nutritional profile that reads like a wellness 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:57.539 retreat. The Black Instant brand, this is their 00:18:57.539 --> 00:19:00.420 flagship and it's a robust, smooth, fair -trade 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:03.759 roast packed with 15 grams of grass -fed protein 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:07.599 and 5 grams of MCTs. It's not just an energy 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:10.440 boost, it's an actual fuel for your muscles and 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:12.799 brain. They've solved the jitters problem by 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:16.119 enriching their coffee with 250 milligrams of 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:21.180 adaptogens, including ashwagyonda, and L -Thanine 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:24.039 you get the alertness you want with a calming 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:27.079 focused clarity that helps you stay productive 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:30.180 without the edge the black instant blend is my 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:33.519 thing but if latte is your thing well the Strong 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:37.119 Coffee Company's latte is to die for what I love 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:40.000 most is that they don't just cut corners we're 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:42.700 talking organic ingredients and a deep commitment 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:45.900 to eco -friendly sustainable practices. It's 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:48.140 coffee you can feel good about for your body 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:50.440 and the planet. Whether you're looking for a 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:53.160 better sleep, mental clarity, or just a more 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:55.579 convenient way to get your protein in, strong 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:58.259 coffee is the healthy alternative that doesn't 00:19:58.259 --> 00:20:01.240 sacrifice flavor. We want you to experience this 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:03.720 revolution in your daily routine. So we've teamed 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:05.799 up with the Strong Coffee Company to get you 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:08.700 their highest exclusive discount. You can get 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:13.099 20 % off your entire order. Yes, 20 % is guaranteed 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:19.420 off your order. by using the code CBUKRDUX just 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:22.259 head to thestrongcoffeecompany .com or simply 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:24.900 go to the show notes below and click on the link 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:30.960 there. That's CBUKRDUX to guarantee your 20 % 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:33.490 discount. By buying this product, you're not 00:20:33.490 --> 00:20:35.470 only supporting the companies that work with 00:20:35.470 --> 00:20:38.470 us, or just supporting the channel, you're also 00:20:38.470 --> 00:20:40.750 joining the Chatterbox community's commitment 00:20:40.750 --> 00:20:43.630 to the environment. 1 % of all commissions are 00:20:43.630 --> 00:20:46.390 donated to the Stripe Climate Program to help 00:20:46.390 --> 00:21:02.079 remove CO2 from the atmosphere. That gets us 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:05.859 to Kokomo and you've got your hundred grand, 00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:08.039 you know, between you. What happens next with 00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:11.200 Kokomo? Well, what did happen next? They tried 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:15.180 to, they thought we'd, you know, be a huge success. 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:21.559 But the album, we toured, we did a tour called 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:24.559 the Naughty Rhythms tour with Chili Willie and 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:28.880 the Red Hot Peppers and Dr. Feelgood. But in 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:32.450 fact, Dr. Feelgood, they stole... the tour really, 00:21:32.730 --> 00:21:37.890 because they went down great. I think we were 00:21:37.890 --> 00:21:40.490 a bit too slick, but it was a great tour. And 00:21:40.490 --> 00:21:44.029 after that, nothing really happened. Steve O 00:21:44.029 --> 00:21:46.630 'Rourke had to go back and work with Pink Floyd. 00:21:47.529 --> 00:21:50.269 as they would say, we want you to sort of our 00:21:50.269 --> 00:21:53.410 tours out. And we did another album in Miami. 00:21:53.950 --> 00:21:57.109 We did it in about two weeks and it was great 00:21:57.109 --> 00:22:01.710 to be in Miami. But after that, it just dwindled 00:22:01.710 --> 00:22:08.009 and CBS, you know, it was, we were released basically 00:22:08.009 --> 00:22:12.109 from the contract and everybody, I don't know. 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:16.160 what happened, a lot of stuff. It was 1976, I 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:22.319 think, around about that time. A lot of that 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:26.960 time, actually, is very cloudy in my brain. Because 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:29.599 it was such a big band, it was difficult to keep 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:32.259 it together, financially speaking. We weren't 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:35.599 getting the work. So eventually, some of the 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:38.940 guys went to work with Brian Ferry, Alvin Lee, 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:43.720 Jim Mullen had left the band. He went to do his 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:50.319 thing with Dick Morrissey and the Morrissey -Mullen 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:54.799 band. And eventually I played with Martha Reeves 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:58.380 and then 10CC, you know, went on the road with 00:22:58.380 --> 00:23:03.559 Martha and Vandellas. And yeah, then 10CC. I 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:07.420 got home from the Martha tour and Graham called 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.920 me up and said, do you want to join the band? 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:12.920 Because I knew Graham from way back. And I said, 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:18.619 I'll have to think about it. I'll do it. So we 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:22.240 think about what 1977 time maybe that was 77 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:26.819 yeah 1977 and that lasted them for about a year 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:30.779 actually I was we went to Australia Australia 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:35.339 mate that was great I loved Australia it went 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:39.599 back to Japan as well toward Europe yeah we went 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:41.400 all over the place didn't go to America I don't 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:45.519 think 10CC ever made it massive in America for 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:53.019 some reason. But anyway, that fell apart. I got 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:57.019 busted actually in Adelaide, which wasn't very 00:23:57.019 --> 00:24:02.519 good for the image of the band. But yeah, so 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:05.799 when I came back, in fact, I was disillusioned 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:07.940 because after playing with Kokomo, all these 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:11.759 great musicians, And 10cc was a fantastic pop 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:14.319 band. It was really great. I really loved the 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:17.539 guys. But musically it wasn't satisfying for 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:20.599 me as it was working with Kokomo. So I wanted 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:26.579 to try and get that back or do something. you 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:29.579 know, of my own. So I went up to the management, 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:31.200 Tennessee Sea Management, where I was staying 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:35.559 in Liverpool with Diane then. And I went up to 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:39.180 Manchester and I was going to say, you know, 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:43.519 Rick Dixon, I'm leaving. But they'd already decided 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:48.140 to sack me anyway. So it was then. I think I 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:53.119 got my resignation in first. That's the best 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:57.039 way. Best way. Definitely. Anyway, it was a mutual 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:59.660 thing. But I'm still friendly with the guy. I 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:02.160 recorded one of Graham's songs, actually, recently. 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:07.079 One that he sent me in the 90s. And I did a demo, 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:10.259 but recently I just re -recorded it. It's called 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:12.500 Same Boat Now. We're all in the same boat now. 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:16.660 And it kind of reflected what we're... doing, 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:19.000 you know, the last 18 months with Covid. Anyway, 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:22.700 so we get you back and you've put in your resignation 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:26.160 with 10cc and what does Tony O'Malley do next? 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:29.380 I started doing my own thing really, just getting 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:33.779 gigs. I don't know, I was a bit of a mess actually 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:38.579 from after that. I think Kokomo made another 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:42.000 album but I was in a bit of a mess, you know, 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:45.039 strung out on loads of stuff and everything up 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:52.170 until about 86 so from 78 onwards i was kind 00:25:52.170 --> 00:25:56.150 of you know not in a good place really well i 00:25:56.150 --> 00:25:58.490 was i never stopped playing and composing and 00:25:58.490 --> 00:26:03.069 stuff like that i was um yeah i just you know 00:26:03.069 --> 00:26:05.470 at the blues whatever whatever you want to call 00:26:05.470 --> 00:26:11.000 it i was in a bad place until I think 86, 87, 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:14.619 then I came out of that and cleaned up my act 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:19.019 and it's been onwards and upwards really, I think. 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:21.779 Always a struggle, you know, being a solo artist, 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:26.839 trying to get your things done. I didn't do anything 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:30.519 solo, really, you know, nothing really official. 00:26:31.290 --> 00:26:34.750 solo until I played Ronnie Scott's in the 90s 00:26:34.750 --> 00:26:40.809 and in 94 and they recorded a few shows the week 00:26:40.809 --> 00:26:43.309 that in one particular week and they had it because 00:26:43.309 --> 00:26:46.390 they had a studio upstairs and that came out 00:26:46.390 --> 00:26:50.589 as an album and it was called Naked Flame live 00:26:50.589 --> 00:26:53.490 at Ronnie Scott's with some great musicians that's 00:26:53.490 --> 00:26:56.609 Neil Hubbard on guitar, Mel Clem's on the sax, 00:26:56.970 --> 00:27:00.970 Pino Palladino on the bass and Legend Litty Andy 00:27:00.970 --> 00:27:05.740 Newmark on the drums and all kind of... to make 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:10.279 legends in that kind of music. So that was great. 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:14.480 That was my first album, actually, followed by 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:17.000 Sunshine Every Day. So all my albums have really 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:20.559 have been, apart from Live at Ronnie Scott's, 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:27.200 all my albums have been recorded by me, solo 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:31.160 projects that I've financed or got people to 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:36.779 help crowdfunding. In the 90s, I started crowdfunding. 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:42.049 I started crowdfunding. people used to, you know, 00:27:42.230 --> 00:27:44.190 contribute and I'd make an album and I've done 00:27:44.190 --> 00:27:48.269 about 12, I think, or 10. I've lost count, actually. 00:27:48.309 --> 00:27:51.569 I think it's 12 albums that have come out. Yeah, 00:27:51.569 --> 00:27:54.069 I don't know of anyone that was crowdfunding 00:27:54.069 --> 00:27:56.890 before you, so at this moment in time, you can 00:27:56.890 --> 00:27:58.430 take the credit because I really don't. Sir, 00:27:58.430 --> 00:27:59.990 have you got anything for Tony at this moment? 00:28:00.089 --> 00:28:02.130 Yes, I've got a question for you, Tony. Your 00:28:02.130 --> 00:28:04.609 favourite song is Enough is Enough. You've got 00:28:04.609 --> 00:28:07.470 a child singing in that. Can I ask who that person 00:28:07.470 --> 00:28:11.519 is? That's my son. Joseph, who at the time was 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:15.220 only about one and a half, I think. Wow. And 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:18.559 now he's a strapping 21 year old. We've got two 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:22.759 boys, both 21, they're twins. And on one of the 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:26.799 albums, they're both on one of the albums. Never 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:33.329 give up on your dreams. Yeah, so it's Joseph. 00:28:33.410 --> 00:28:35.970 Another quick question regarding that song. Is 00:28:35.970 --> 00:28:38.970 there a story behind that song? Enough is enough. 00:28:39.369 --> 00:28:49.589 Well, only... I'm just trying to think. I have 00:28:49.589 --> 00:28:53.569 to get the lyrics up. There is a story behind 00:28:53.569 --> 00:28:57.890 it, basically. We've had enough, you know, it's 00:28:57.890 --> 00:29:00.769 a political kind of thing. Let me see if I can 00:29:00.769 --> 00:29:03.230 get the lyrics up and then I can give you an 00:29:03.230 --> 00:29:07.509 idea, one second, if you don't mind. Okay, anyway, 00:29:07.990 --> 00:29:25.269 this is... saving sound free from war and we 00:29:25.269 --> 00:29:30.849 listen to what they have to say if we want to 00:29:30.849 --> 00:29:36.990 change the rules elect somebody who is nobody's 00:29:36.990 --> 00:29:44.009 fool got to stand together and be cool so we 00:29:44.009 --> 00:29:56.759 just fell this is our finest tune I'll just do 00:29:56.759 --> 00:30:09.740 that. Thank you so much. Yeah, it's just kind 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:14.019 of enough is enough, we've had enough. But, you 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:17.000 know, we've had enough, tired of all the killing, 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:20.519 any time to forgive and forget. You know, we 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:23.059 need love, we need happiness, we need food for 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:27.140 the soul, we need no regrets. Nick and Sue. We're 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:29.440 taking a quick break to talk about the fuel behind 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:32.460 today's episode. If you're like me, coffee isn't 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:35.369 just a morning ritual, it's a necessity. But 00:30:35.369 --> 00:30:37.470 let's be honest, the traditional coffee cycle 00:30:37.470 --> 00:30:41.009 usually ends up in a mid afternoon crash or those 00:30:41.009 --> 00:30:43.410 caffeine jitters that actually make it harder 00:30:43.410 --> 00:30:46.619 to focus. That's why I'm so excited to share 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:48.740 that this show is brought to you in association 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:51.200 with the Strong Coffee Company. Coffee has a 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:53.359 long history as a traditional medicinal tool 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:56.099 and for centuries it's been revered for its ability 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:58.859 to sharpen the mind and provide the metabolic 00:30:58.859 --> 00:31:01.720 sparks needed to conquer the day. The Strong 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:03.799 Coffee Company has taken that ancient wisdom 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:05.940 and supercharged it for the modern professional. 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:08.579 They offer premium instant brands that actually 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:11.900 taste like a high -end barista pour but with 00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:15.339 a nutritional profile that reads like a wellness 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:18.019 retreat. The Black Instant brand, this is their 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:20.900 flagship, and it's a robust, smooth, fair -trade 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:24.259 roast packed with 15 grams of grass -fed protein 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:28.079 and 5 grams of MCTs. It's not just an energy 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:30.920 boost, it's an actual fuel for your muscles and 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:33.279 brain. They've solved the jitters problem by 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:36.599 enriching their coffee with 250 milligrams of 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:41.660 adaptogens, including ashwagyonda, and L -Thanine 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:44.519 you get the alertness you want with a calming 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:47.559 focused clarity that helps you stay productive 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:50.359 without the edge. The black instant blend is 00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:53.839 my thing but if latte is your thing well the 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:56.720 Strong Coffee Company's latte is to die for. 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:59.119 What I love most is that they don't just cut 00:31:59.119 --> 00:32:02.339 corners we're talking organic ingredients and 00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:04.940 a deep commitment to eco -friendly sustainable 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:07.779 practices. It's coffee you can feel good about 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:10.240 for your body and the planet. Whether you're 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:13.059 looking for a better sleep, mental clarity, or 00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:15.200 just a more convenient way to get your protein 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:18.019 in, strong coffee is the healthy alternative 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:21.079 that doesn't sacrifice flavor. We want you to 00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:23.359 experience this revolution in your daily routine. 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:25.680 So we've teamed up with the Strong Coffee Company 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:28.240 to get you their highest exclusive discount. 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:31.660 You can get 20 % off your entire order. Yes, 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:36.059 20 % is guaranteed off your order. by using the 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:41.299 code CBUKRDUX just head to thestrongcoffeecompany 00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:44.720 .com or simply go to the show notes below and 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:49.920 click on the link there that's CBUKRDUX to guarantee 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:53.829 your 20 % discount By buying this product, you're 00:32:53.829 --> 00:32:55.930 not only supporting the companies that work with 00:32:55.930 --> 00:32:58.930 us, or just supporting the channel, you're also 00:32:58.930 --> 00:33:01.250 joining the Chatterbox community's commitment 00:33:01.250 --> 00:33:04.109 to the environment. 1 % of all commissions are 00:33:04.109 --> 00:33:06.849 donated to the Stripe Climate Program to help 00:33:06.849 --> 00:33:22.049 remove CO2 from the atmosphere. I've forgotten 00:33:22.049 --> 00:33:23.750 where we were. Oh yeah, live at Ronnie's. Then 00:33:23.750 --> 00:33:26.589 I did an album called Sunshine Every Day, which 00:33:26.589 --> 00:33:29.089 most of it, well, a lot of it was recorded in 00:33:29.089 --> 00:33:31.690 my tiny little flat in Hackney where I live. 00:33:32.930 --> 00:33:37.509 And then we took it in the studio to put the 00:33:37.509 --> 00:33:41.009 drums on for it to be mixed. And yes, it used 00:33:41.009 --> 00:33:43.029 to take, well, it still takes a long time to 00:33:43.029 --> 00:33:45.170 make an album, actually, to get it right, to 00:33:45.170 --> 00:33:47.509 get it sounding how you want it to sound. And 00:33:47.509 --> 00:33:57.720 that was, yeah, there was a song on that. I know 00:33:57.720 --> 00:34:08.039 you need some time to be on your own, just a 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:13.550 thing. Yeah, and it goes on. Et cetera. So that 00:34:13.550 --> 00:34:17.190 got a lot of plays on radio too, that one. And 00:34:17.190 --> 00:34:23.309 after that, nothing ever happened with it. After 00:34:23.309 --> 00:34:25.090 that I made another one called Freedom Road, 00:34:26.050 --> 00:34:29.030 with some great players. We used to meet once 00:34:29.030 --> 00:34:31.789 a week. By this time I had a little studio in 00:34:31.789 --> 00:34:35.090 Kentish Town. Tiny, it was tiny, we were all 00:34:35.090 --> 00:34:36.909 squeezed in, you know, there was a small drum 00:34:36.909 --> 00:34:39.829 booth, and all the musicians were kind of surrounding 00:34:39.829 --> 00:34:43.940 me here, and I recorded it on my... digital system 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:47.639 as I did with them sunshine every day I bought 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:50.659 a digital system in 94 I was one of the first 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:53.260 actually you know recording into the computer 00:34:53.260 --> 00:34:58.500 and for runner you know and so freedom road which 00:34:58.500 --> 00:35:02.019 is I still think is a really great album and 00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:05.400 great players and yeah and but yeah same thing 00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:08.420 really nothing happened with that and then we 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:12.599 knew By this time, I'd met Femke, and we were 00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:15.920 living together in Hackney, and we started a 00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:19.460 family. That's a whole long story as well. So 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:21.820 to have the babies, we went to live in Belgium. 00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:25.320 We went to live in Brussels, and we were in Brussels, 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:30.179 well, for four years, and I met some great players. 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:34.599 Marty Townsend was a great songwriter and fantastic 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:37.940 guitar player. We made a couple of albums, and 00:35:37.940 --> 00:35:41.070 well... The first one was O. It's called O. O 00:35:41.070 --> 00:35:45.170 -H exclamation mark. And then My Foolish Heart, 00:35:45.369 --> 00:35:50.809 which is an album of standards, really. And so 00:35:50.809 --> 00:35:53.230 I was basically coming backwards and forwards, 00:35:53.449 --> 00:35:55.929 playing gigs in London. And we're also playing 00:35:55.929 --> 00:35:58.730 with some great players in Belgium. Frank de 00:35:58.730 --> 00:36:02.630 Reuter, for instance, and Frederic Jacquemin, 00:36:02.750 --> 00:36:06.230 who actually lives in Paris. But some great players. 00:36:07.050 --> 00:36:10.650 But then, Femke, she was offered the job in Tbilisi, 00:36:10.989 --> 00:36:14.070 which is the capital of the real Georgia, which 00:36:14.070 --> 00:36:20.090 is next door to Armenia and Turkey. And we spent 00:36:20.090 --> 00:36:24.699 four fantastic years in Georgia. and also made 00:36:24.699 --> 00:36:27.480 an album there with a wonderful piano player, 00:36:28.099 --> 00:36:31.440 much better than me. I mean, great accompanist. 00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:39.059 Accompanist. Accompanist. Pata Andriadze, fantastic. 00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:44.659 And just me and him. Solo, you know, vocal and 00:36:44.659 --> 00:36:49.780 piano. Lots of friends in Georgia. Georgia is 00:36:49.780 --> 00:36:52.960 full of fantastic musicians, really. And that 00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:55.599 was wonderful. And we came back from Georgia, 00:36:55.880 --> 00:36:57.699 back to Brussels actually, close to Brussels, 00:37:00.699 --> 00:37:04.940 and made another album, The Road Will Rise. So 00:37:04.940 --> 00:37:06.960 we spent another four years in Belgium and then, 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:09.519 you know, just generally playing around, bringing 00:37:09.519 --> 00:37:12.679 up the boys. You know, the boys were 10 and 11. 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:16.280 When we came back to England in 2012, it was 00:37:16.280 --> 00:37:18.639 a bit of a gamble because the boys went to the 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:21.800 European school here in close to where we live, 00:37:22.079 --> 00:37:25.940 in Cullum. And I've just been, you know, making 00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:31.019 albums really and playing gigs, just, you know, 00:37:31.179 --> 00:37:36.340 bringing up the boys and... And then I met with 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:39.659 my young guys, the musicians, Sonny, Ali and 00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:45.159 Richie. And when they were basically 19, the 00:37:45.159 --> 00:37:48.780 two of them were 19 and Ali was about 20 something. 00:37:50.510 --> 00:37:53.329 We've been working together ever since. It's 00:37:53.329 --> 00:37:56.449 five years, I think, maybe six years, or over 00:37:56.449 --> 00:37:58.989 six years, since, you know, they're all grown 00:37:58.989 --> 00:38:02.849 men now with their girlfriends and flats of their 00:38:02.849 --> 00:38:05.630 own, you know, amazing. And we're still working 00:38:05.630 --> 00:38:07.809 together, although it's been, you know, through 00:38:07.809 --> 00:38:10.329 lockdown, it's been very difficult. We did make 00:38:10.329 --> 00:38:12.829 some lockdown videos, but that was a struggle 00:38:12.829 --> 00:38:16.170 really, you know, to get them done. We did it 00:38:16.170 --> 00:38:18.949 at first, but then I think everyone got fed up 00:38:18.949 --> 00:38:22.880 with lockdown. However, in lockdown you were 00:38:22.880 --> 00:38:25.800 pretty amazing because, well, obviously you were 00:38:25.800 --> 00:38:28.420 in the same boat in lockdown like everyone was. 00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:33.360 You started doing some streams for people. And 00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:35.840 I think you did one last Friday where you mentioned 00:38:35.840 --> 00:38:37.739 you were coming onto this show. So tell people 00:38:37.739 --> 00:38:41.059 about your streams and what you got planned that 00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:45.039 way and how they can find you. Well, the streaming, 00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:48.380 when lockdown happened, you looked online and 00:38:48.380 --> 00:38:50.769 you saw all these guitar players streaming on 00:38:50.769 --> 00:38:53.969 their phone. Awful sound, awful. And also, when 00:38:53.969 --> 00:38:57.510 you stream on your phone, it mirrors it, so it 00:38:57.510 --> 00:38:59.349 doesn't mirror, it turns it around, it switches. 00:38:59.429 --> 00:39:01.409 So all these right -handed guitar players became 00:39:01.409 --> 00:39:04.929 left -handed guitar players, and the piano players 00:39:04.929 --> 00:39:08.349 were going that way, you know. And I thought, 00:39:08.550 --> 00:39:11.010 this is pretty bad. So I did quite a lot of research 00:39:11.010 --> 00:39:15.110 into the sound and just set up my sound so that, 00:39:15.110 --> 00:39:17.150 you know, it would sound like, for instance, 00:39:19.980 --> 00:39:22.420 I think it sounds pretty, you know, does it sound 00:39:22.420 --> 00:39:26.940 okay? You know, the sounds okay and the vocal, 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:30.340 you know. So once I got the sound right and it's 00:39:30.340 --> 00:39:33.460 a technical feat actually, to be quite honest. 00:39:33.860 --> 00:39:36.679 It took me, you know, I had loads of glitches 00:39:36.679 --> 00:39:39.260 and they're not always my fault, but at the same 00:39:39.260 --> 00:39:41.159 time it's a learning process and I, you know, 00:39:41.159 --> 00:39:45.059 I've figured out how to do it now in my setup 00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:49.360 here, you know, where I am now actually. where 00:39:49.360 --> 00:39:53.760 I'm talking to you from. And yeah, so I've done 00:39:53.760 --> 00:39:59.860 at least 60 streams. They're all available on 00:39:59.860 --> 00:40:03.139 my website and YouTube. My website, tonyomalley 00:40:03.139 --> 00:40:07.280 .com. And you can check me out there, basically. 00:40:08.159 --> 00:40:10.139 And you're on Facebook as well? Oh, on Facebook, 00:40:10.239 --> 00:40:14.860 Tony O'Malley. Instagram, O'Malley Tone. Twitter, 00:40:15.059 --> 00:40:17.840 I think that's Tony O'Malley. Yeah, but I'm not 00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:20.920 really, I am active on social media. media but 00:40:20.920 --> 00:40:25.000 I'm not I should be more you know on Instagram 00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:29.079 because everybody's on Instagram but I should 00:40:29.079 --> 00:40:33.170 be more active to be quite honest. That's my 00:40:33.170 --> 00:40:40.349 ambition for the future. I've got a link to your 00:40:40.349 --> 00:40:43.369 website and I see just a couple gigs that you've 00:40:43.369 --> 00:40:46.349 got coming up. At the moment it says Saturday 00:40:46.349 --> 00:40:49.530 September 18th, Kokomo is to be confirmed, but 00:40:49.530 --> 00:40:51.710 what I will do... No, it's confirmed actually. 00:40:52.030 --> 00:40:54.510 Now what is next for Tony O'Malley? So we've 00:40:54.510 --> 00:40:57.769 got these concerts... Then I have a gig with 00:40:57.769 --> 00:41:01.320 my band on the 15th of October. at the 606 club 00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:03.900 on the 15th of October. Have you got any plans 00:41:03.900 --> 00:41:07.860 to do an autobiography? It's funny you should 00:41:07.860 --> 00:41:12.219 say that, Sue. I do. I have started writing and 00:41:12.219 --> 00:41:16.099 now I've got a friend of mine, he's an old Kokomo 00:41:16.099 --> 00:41:20.460 fan, Mac, and he's great and he's going to help 00:41:20.460 --> 00:41:25.980 me basically be my mentor while I write my biography. 00:41:26.019 --> 00:41:28.900 I've already written quite a lot. I do like to 00:41:28.900 --> 00:41:32.099 write. them. So that's what I'm going to be doing 00:41:32.099 --> 00:41:36.340 in France. plus learning the French language 00:41:36.340 --> 00:41:40.960 with the help of my wife who speaks French fluently. 00:41:41.820 --> 00:41:43.679 I only know about one sentence. What is that? 00:41:43.719 --> 00:41:46.159 What's that sentence? Bonjour monsieur, comment 00:41:46.159 --> 00:41:49.079 ça va? Something like that. Oh! Bonjour monsieur, 00:41:49.219 --> 00:41:51.960 comment ça va? Yeah. Something like ça va, yeah. 00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:55.659 Touch wood. I couldn't do it now, but if I'm 00:41:55.659 --> 00:41:57.320 in a café in France for about a half hour, I 00:41:57.320 --> 00:41:59.440 get pretty good. And I've never balled up on 00:41:59.440 --> 00:42:03.839 a menu yet. Yet. At this time. Tony, it's been... 00:42:03.789 --> 00:42:06.969 Do just mention your website once more, please, 00:42:06.969 --> 00:42:11.389 sir. Okay. My website is tonyomalley .com. That's 00:42:11.389 --> 00:42:16.610 www .tonyomalley .com. Perfect. It's been great. 00:42:16.750 --> 00:42:18.989 And I'm looking forward to the interview going 00:42:18.989 --> 00:42:21.989 out and keep in touch and every success for that 00:42:21.989 --> 00:42:23.989 move, Tony. Yeah, and we wish you the best. Thank 00:42:23.989 --> 00:42:27.030 you. Thank you, Nick. It's lovely to meet you 00:42:27.030 --> 00:42:29.789 here and see you soon. Thanks for chatting with 00:42:29.789 --> 00:42:32.070 people on Chatterbox UK. Take care. Bye -bye. 00:42:32.190 --> 00:43:00.369 Bye -bye. Thanks for watching You've been listening 00:43:00.369 --> 00:43:02.889 to the Chatterbox Redux podcast with Sue and 00:43:02.889 --> 00:43:05.929 Nick and today our special guest was Tony O'Malley. 00:43:07.010 --> 00:43:09.150 If you're interested in becoming a future guest 00:43:09.150 --> 00:43:12.030 on the Chatterbox Redux podcast or the radio 00:43:12.030 --> 00:43:14.429 show Chatterbox UK, you're welcome to submit 00:43:14.429 --> 00:43:17.909 songs, books or whatever it is you do and send 00:43:17.909 --> 00:43:21.039 us a CV, synopsis or press release. However, 00:43:21.219 --> 00:43:24.000 we receive several thousand such press releases 00:43:24.000 --> 00:43:27.179 every week and it's impossible to reply to each 00:43:27.179 --> 00:43:30.099 one individually. Why not email us or leave a 00:43:30.099 --> 00:43:32.079 comment because we'd love to know what you think 00:43:32.079 --> 00:43:34.960 of the podcast. Our email address is nickelbum 00:43:34.960 --> 00:43:39.000 at myyahoo .com. Alternatively, you could write 00:43:39.000 --> 00:43:53.420 to us. and wherever it is you choose to listen 00:43:53.420 --> 00:43:56.380 to the Chatterbox Redux podcast don't forget 00:43:56.380 --> 00:43:59.579 to give us a like a follow a favorite or whatever 00:43:59.579 --> 00:44:02.320 it is it is on that platform just so you don't 00:44:02.320 --> 00:44:06.659 miss a future episode Sue myself Nick and twinkle 00:44:06.659 --> 00:44:09.980 the tuxedo cat thank you very much for your company 00:44:09.980 --> 00:44:12.199 and we look forward to welcoming you again next 00:44:12.199 --> 00:44:15.559 time for another Chatterbox Redux podcast. In 00:44:15.559 --> 00:44:17.360 the meantime, take care, we thank you for your 00:44:17.360 --> 00:45:06.230 company and we catch you then. Bye bye. This 00:45:06.230 --> 00:45:10.230 is Nick and Sue with Chatterbox giving you all 00:45:10.230 --> 00:45:14.210 you need to know about musical entertainment. 00:45:15.809 --> 00:45:21.349 Oh yeah! Chatterbox, the best interviews with 00:45:21.349 --> 00:45:25.449 Nick and Sue. Chatterbox, the best news