Ask: Paul Young

Dec 30 2007 by Robert Weatherall, Sunday Sun

MUSICIAN Paul Young grew up in Luton as one of three children.

On leaving school, he got a job at the Vauxhall Motors factory and, in his spare time, played bass guitar in several bands.

He had his first top-40 hit with the Streetband and their one-off hit, Toast, which reached number 18 in 1978.

His solo career took off in 1982 after securing a recording contract with CBS Records.

Paul took Wherever I Lay My Hat to number one in the UK charts during the summer of 1983 and followed this with Come Back and Stay, which brought him worldwide success.

In 1985, he graced the charts with Every Time You Go Away, and also took part in Live Aid at Wembley.

During the 1990s, he worked on a number of projects and took time out to raise his family.

Paul will be appearing in the Here and Now concert at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on May 18.

For tickets — £34.50 — call 0844-493 6666, call in at the box office or log onto www.metroradioarena.co.uk

WHEN did you first realise you wanted to be a musician?

I think that must have been when I was about 14 years old. Between seven and 14 I had a lot of piano lessons, but I wasn’t very interested in it.

I think that was because of the material I was being given, although towards the end the teacher did try to liven it up.

When I really got into listening to the radio, though, my piano training gave me an appreciation of music and it was then I decided it would be something really good to do.

WHAT does it feel like to get your first number one?

It is a marvellous feeling. I got my first number one back in the 1980s, when having a number one actually meant something.

It was back in the days when songs slowly worked their way up the charts and you would move up a couple of spaces at a time.

These days, songs are played for weeks before they are released and they go straight in to number one. I remember the excitement of seeing something climb up the charts and listening in on a Sunday to see if you had made it.

YOU have been in Celebrity Masterchef and Hell’s Kitchen. Ever thought of opening a celebrity restaurant?

I have thought about it and it is something which I am still looking into. I enjoy all types of cooking but I really enjoy Mexican.

If I was to open something in London I think I would do something along a Mexican line but, if I was to open elsewhere, I would keep it more mainstream.

There are lots of things to look at, including venues and finance, so if I ever do it, it will be a while off.

WHAT do you think of the music industry at the moment?

Not much. There are some great bands out there and interesting music.

I like listening to the Kooks and the Hoosiers, but the general state of the industry is a bit poor at the moment.

DID you think Jim Davison was right to walk off Hell’s Kitchen?

Yes. Absolutely. I like Jim but he said some things which would have made it impossible to continue.

I think the producers were to blame for creating a situation.

They hired a person to appear on the programme and they knew he would have outspoken views.

After the whole Jade Goody race row thing in Big Brother, producers have been panicking about what they can allow contestants to say.

It’s no good hiring Jim Davison and then reading Ofcom regulations to him each night.

WOULD you do any more reality TV?

I think I would but it would have to be something which I found appealing.

I certainly don’t have any plans to bungee jump into a jungle or lock myself in a house in London for three weeks.

WHAT’S your strongest memory of Live Aid?

I think that would have to be being on stage performing and only being able to hear U2 warming up in the background. The audience there and at home couldn’t tell but the only thing I could hear through my earpiece was U2’s drummer off stage setting up his equipment.

IF you were starting your career now what, if anything, would you do differently?

I would stay clear of the music industry.

There just isn’t any money in it any more and artists aren’t given a chance to flourish.