Singer-songwriter Chris Difford (Squeeze) is joined by musical guests to talk about the highs and lows of their career in this new podcast from Help Musicians. Series 4 returns on Tuesday March 19th with James Blunt. Listen to our previous episodes now and find out more at www.HelpMusicians.org.uk
S2 Ep7: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Dan Gillespie Sells
May 05, 2022
Show notes
The latest musician joining Chris for a chat about the fine art of music making is Dan Gillespie Sells, frontman for the award-winning pop-rock band The Feeling. Topics covered in the expansive interview include forming The Feeling with his school pals, growing up as an indie kid, his part in the runaway success that is Everybody's Talking About Jamie and music as an escape from life's troubles.
S2 Ep6: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Sharon Corr
Apr 28, 2022
Show notes
This episode sees Chris being joined by Sharon Corr for an enlivening and enlightening chat. Sharon is one of the 4 siblings who took their brand of poppy Irish folk music from a house full of music to the world's stages, selling millions of albums and becoming one of the biggest bands of the Nineties. When the Corrs went on hiatus in 2006, Sharon began work on her first solo album, "Dream Of You" finally released in 2010. Since then she's released 2 more solo albums, the most recent being 2021's "The Fool And The Scorpion". In this conversation she details her childhood musical heroes, particularly Joni Mitchell, working with Jeff Beck and how inspiration can strike at any time.
S2 Ep5: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Graham Gouldman
Apr 21, 2022
Show notes
Joining Chris Difford for this episode is singer and songwriter Graham Gouldman, one quarter of the legendary, much loved British pop band 10cc. Growing up in Manchester, Graham quickly found his true calling with music, and he was still in his teens when he found his songs covered by bands like The Yardbirds and The Hollies. And then in forming 10cc with friends he would achieve his own hits - and lots of them. In this chat he talks about how his dad helped shape his early songs, 10cc's collaborative creative process, touring with Ringo Starr and working with Gary Barlow and McFly.
S2 Ep4: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Guy Garvey
Apr 14, 2022
Show notes
Singer, songwriter and radio presenter Guy Garvey is the guest in this episode of Chris Difford's podcast. In this wonderfully warm conversation, the Elbow frontman recounts many stories from his career, including his early dabbling with rap, how the band was almost over before it even began, the time he met Beyonce and Jay Z (but didn't know it) and the fortuitous backstory behind the Elbow's biggest hit "One Day Like This".
S2 Ep3: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Kathryn Williams
Apr 07, 2022
Show notes
Chris welcomes singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams to his podcast. Kathryn is a Mercury prize nominated musician who's collaborated with John Martyn, Thea Gilmore and Ed Harcourt among many others. She's also a published novelist. In this conversation we hear about Kathryn's terrifying early gigs, her love of poetry and her collaboration with the poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, surprising gigs (both good and bad) and family secrets. There's also a very funny story about the impact Showaddywaddy had on her teenage self.
S2 Ep2: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Dan Smith, Bastille
Mar 31, 2022
Show notes
Hooking up with Chris in this episode is Dan Smith, the founder and main-man in Bastille the highly prolific British band who've had a brace of huge hits and critically acclaimed albums worldwide. In this interview, Dan discusses growing up in a nurturing household full of music, stage-fright and his difficult transition from bedroom writer/producer to fronting his own band on stage and the power of vulnerability in music.
S2 Ep1: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Mike Rutherford
Mar 24, 2022
Show notes
In the very first episode of the second series of I Never Thought It Would Happen, Chris Difford welcomes Mike Rutherford of Genesis to the podcast. Mike has been an ever-present in the band since they formed in 1967. But those 55 years in Genesis are almost over with the band set to perform their final ever shows at the London O2 Arena. In this chat Mike looks back at his band's formation, early influences and being such a key part of the prog rock revolution. He also discusses the band's first tour of the USA, Peter Gabriel's departure, Phil Collins move from the back of the stage to the front and the global exposure MTV brought to the band.
S2: I Never Thought It Would Happen - series 2 trailer
Mar 17, 2022
Show notes
Chris Difford is back for series 2 of I Never Thought It Would Happen - with Help Musicians. Episode 1 features a special chat with Mike Rutherford from Genesis ahead of the band's final ever UK dates. Back on 24th March on all podcast platforms. www.helpmusicians.org.uk
S1 Ep14: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Nile Rodgers
Nov 08, 2021
Show notes
Joining Chris to talk about the up and downs of his career and life, is legendary producer, guitarist, song-writer, band leader, owner of a white Fender Strat called "The Hit Maker" and founder of Chic. In this fascinating episode, among many other things, Nile covers his remarkably unorthodox childhood which shaped his future endeavours, from school music lessons and films to a chance encounter with some hippies and how The Doors altered Nile's perception. This is a frank and fascinating conversation.
S1 Ep13: I Never Thought It Would Happen - KT Tunstall
Nov 01, 2021
Show notes
In this episode Chris enjoys a compelling and candid conversation with singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. From her upbringing in the countryside around St Andrews in Scotland, to busking around Europe to her present home in LA, the interview covers a lot of territory. From the lows of grief and loss (both family and hearing) to the highs of hit albums and awards. And KT has a couple of amazing stories about her idols Chrissie Hynde and Stevie Nicks.
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