Cheryl Baker Interview
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As I was putting these questions together, your song, If you Can’t Stand the Heat, came on to Radio 2, which kind of proves that your music is still popular now, even though Eurovision was 36 years ago. What’s the secret of the band’s longevity, do you think?
There is no secret. 80’s music is back in fashion and has been since the beginning of the 000’s. In the 90’s , you wouldn’t have heard a Fizz song anywhere but since 2000 more and more 80’s festivals are popping up and radio stations are recognising that it is the music that everyone wants to hear. How different is Eurovision now, do you think, to how it was when Bucks Fizz competed in Dublin? I think the Eurovision Song Contest is far better than when we did it and every year it is more spectacular than the year before. Yes, it is also more political but if you disregard the politics and the horrendous voting system, the show itself is a fantastic extravaganza with the most tremendous atmosphere. It is definitely the biggest musical event of the year. |
Who was your favourite this year to win?
My favourite this year was Australia. If you could go back to 1980, would you change anything? I wouldn’t change a day of my past, even the bad times. We were on such a terrible deal with our record company, we made less than a penny each for every record sale and while I was living in a semi-detached house in South East London, they were living in mansions thanks to the success of “Making Your Mind Up”. Having said that, I never envied them and was more than happy with my life. You were called Bucks Fizz because it was Nichola Martin’s (who co-wrote Making your Mind Up) favourite drink. What’s your favourite drink? I have grown to love the taste of champagne and sparkling wine and I also enjoy vanilla vodka and coke. But sometimes all I want to have is a good cup of tea! |
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There’s been a bit of controversy about who actually choreographed the skirt ripping routine in Making your Mind Up, can you tell us who really came up with the idea?
We were having a discussion about the style of clothes; I suggested a knee-length skirt as I thought the song was very rockabilly but Jay wanted a short skirt as she thought it was very 60’s. We were having this discussion with our producers, record company and choreographers. It was going on and on and on and in despair I blurted out “ok, lets have both!” – and so we did! A lot of people won’t realise that as well as being in Bucks Fizz and having done lots of tv presenting, you have also performed in quite a few plays and musicals during your career. What gives you the most pleasure and what’s been your favourite role? Without any doubt whatsoever, I can tell you that singing is my first love and always has been. All the other jobs I have done I have done to pay the bills. Musicals and pantos I find incredibly nerve-racking but my favourite was Footloose, The Musical, which was 10 years ago now and I did the UK tour for 3 months and the West End for 9 months. We had a reunion recently which was great. |
Are there any parts/roles that you would love to play in the future?
There is no musical or play that I would like to be involved with at all, due to my nerves but I would love to do lots more festivals with Fizz in the future ie Glastonbury. How’s the new album going and do you have a release date yet? We have recorded three tracks for the new album with Mike Stock. They are all old Fizz tracks and the remainder of the album will be brand new. We don’t have a release date yet but hopefully it will be this year. Your twin daughters are quite grown up now. What do they think about you having your skirt ripped off every night when you’re touring with the band and have they been bitten by the performing bug at all? Kyla and Natalie are now 22. When they were very small they were quite shocked when they saw a photo of Fizz and Jay and I having our skirts ripped off! I know now they are very proud of me and my past career and regularly come to watch us and bring their friends. They are both fine singers and performers and Kyla is a prolific song writer (KylaStroudMusic on Facebook). They have even supported Fizz a few times and been our backing singers. |
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I have had so many highlights. Winning the Eurovision Song Contest was amazing – it was a childhood ambition that I never thought I would actually achieve. Going to number one in the charts is phenomenal and being on the Christmas edition of Top Of The Pops is up there too.
We’re looking forward to seeing you in Southend. Do you have any fond memories of Southend at all - being brought up in Bethnal Green I guess that you probably came to Southend a lot as a child?
I used to go to Southend regularly by train and would head straight to The Kursaal. In later years, as my parents lived in Basildon, I would pick up my mum and dad and drive down to Southend and we would have an icecream and sit and watch the world go by – I have very fond memories of Southend love playing the theatres there. I have performed with Bucks Fizz, Formerly of Bucks Fizz and in various musicals and plays in Southend.
Have you ever had any embarrassing moments whilst on stage, either in productions or touring with Bucks Fizz?
Far too many to even remember! I always see the funny side of the situation. In a solo ballad in Footloose, The Musical in the West End, I have actually cried laughing – I am such an amateur!
You all still look amazing - what’s your secret?
There is no secret – I am a very happy person. I have never been much of a sun worshipper, so perhaps that has helped with my skin. I love my life and I am very happy to be me.
So what can audiences expect from your gig at The Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea, in September?
If they have been to see us before, they can expect all the hits (and we had loads), lots of costume changes, all the dance routines, all the harmonies and the big 80’s medley at the end that gets everyone up dancing. We do the entire show so we don’t have a support act. We also do a meet and greet after the show. We are looking forward to seeing Bucks Fizz fans who haven’t seen us since the 80’s.
I have had so many highlights. Winning the Eurovision Song Contest was amazing – it was a childhood ambition that I never thought I would actually achieve. Going to number one in the charts is phenomenal and being on the Christmas edition of Top Of The Pops is up there too.
We’re looking forward to seeing you in Southend. Do you have any fond memories of Southend at all - being brought up in Bethnal Green I guess that you probably came to Southend a lot as a child?
I used to go to Southend regularly by train and would head straight to The Kursaal. In later years, as my parents lived in Basildon, I would pick up my mum and dad and drive down to Southend and we would have an icecream and sit and watch the world go by – I have very fond memories of Southend love playing the theatres there. I have performed with Bucks Fizz, Formerly of Bucks Fizz and in various musicals and plays in Southend.
Have you ever had any embarrassing moments whilst on stage, either in productions or touring with Bucks Fizz?
Far too many to even remember! I always see the funny side of the situation. In a solo ballad in Footloose, The Musical in the West End, I have actually cried laughing – I am such an amateur!
You all still look amazing - what’s your secret?
There is no secret – I am a very happy person. I have never been much of a sun worshipper, so perhaps that has helped with my skin. I love my life and I am very happy to be me.
So what can audiences expect from your gig at The Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea, in September?
If they have been to see us before, they can expect all the hits (and we had loads), lots of costume changes, all the dance routines, all the harmonies and the big 80’s medley at the end that gets everyone up dancing. We do the entire show so we don’t have a support act. We also do a meet and greet after the show. We are looking forward to seeing Bucks Fizz fans who haven’t seen us since the 80’s.