3 weeks Ago
Cheryl Baker can’t wait to bring some classic hits to the stage as The Fizz take part in the Brit Fest this summer. The festival, held at the Ashley Hall Showground in Altrincham in July, is a celebration of British music acts over the years. Headliners include Razorlight, 10cc and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell while artists such as Midge Ure, Toploader, Go West and Johnny Hates Jazz are also on the bill.
The Fizz (Picture: MP Promotions) The Fizz is the latest incarnation of Bucks Fizz featuring Cheryl and fellow original member Jay Aston. They will be joined by Matthew Pateman, formerly of Bad Boys Inc and currently in Level One and Nikk Majer, best known for being in The Phixx. “Now that we’re back to being a four-piece, “it’s given us all so much more energy,” said Cheryl who joined Bucks Fizz in 1980.
“Matt and Nikk are so keen, they’re chomping at the bit to get out there.” Recently The Fizz has been a trio with Cheryl and Jay touring with original member Mike Nolan who announced he was retiring from the band at the end of last year. “All the routines were designed with four people in mind,” said Cheryl, “and all the harmonies were built around having four singers on stage.
“Having the ‘boys’ in the band has re-energised us all and honestly I think we’re as good as we’ve ever been.” It’s only when you start to look at Bucks Fizz’s back catalogue do you realise how many songs you know. “I think that’s what people sometimes overlook,” said Cheryl.
“We had so many good songs. Take a song like My Camera Never Lies, that was such a clever song with great production.” Bucks Fizz had three number one singles and a string of top 10 hits during the 1980s so you might imagine putting a set together for The Fizz at Brit Fest might cause a few issues.
“Actually,” said Cheryl, “doing our own shows are harder work because the audience is made up totally of our fans and they are so supportive and so dedicated. That means as well as all the hits we have to play a lot of B-sides and album tracks which are fan favourites. “In a festival set you haven’t the time to do that.
Everyone is there to have a good time and we’re lucky that we have so many songs that people know. “At a festival people might not have come to see us - they may be Razorlight or 10cc fans - but we know that we’ll get them dancing and singing along.” One song which has to feature in any set is Making Your Mind Up.
“I have to say that it is probably my least favourite of our big hits,” said Cheryl. “But it was the catalyst for everything that followed I’m still immensely proud of it,” It was the accompanying dance routine which caused a sensation when Eurovision was staged with Cheryl and Jay having their skirts ripped off. “It wasn’t exactly PC was it?” laughed Cheryl, “but then it was Eurovision.
I must have had my skirt ripped off hundreds of times since then. “When there was just Mike in the band with us he’d have to take my skirt in one hand and Jay’s in the other and pull. I think when Jay and I have been performing we might even have ripped our own skirts off during the song! “But it’s all a bit of fun and has become such an iconic moment.
” In 2018 Jay was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth and Cheryl admits it was a tough time. “We just didn’t know how things would work out,” she said. “It was such a worrying time for her.
” Thankfully Jay recovered but had to learn to sing again after surgery meant she had part of her tongue removed. “She’s got a great voice now,” said Cheryl. “I’m just so glad to have my mate on stage with me.
” With the new line-up, Cheryl is very positive about the direction of The Fizz going forward. “In 2022 we did an album with Mike Stock of Stock Aitken and Waterman fame, Everything Under the Sun,” said Cheryl. “We’ve been talking with him again recently and now we’ve got the two new members we want to get into the studio and work on some new music which captures our sound.
“The vocal harmonies are really my thing,” she said. “I’m a stickler for getting everything absolutely spot on and with the current line-up we are sounding great.” The Fizz preparing to play Brit Fest this summer (Picture: MP Promotions) This year amazingly marks Cheryl’s 50th anniversary as a performer.
“I am writing a book,” she revealed, “and I’m doing it all myself, it’s not being ghost written. “There have been so many things that have happened over the years; so many stories. But we’re also entering a new phase of the band with so much to look forward to.
“I’m still amazed at the number of fans who come along to see us. And they are of all ages. “I’ll sometime look into the crowd and see all these teenagers and twenty-somethings and think ‘how do you even know about us?’.
But they know every word. I suspect many of them first heard the songs through their parents. “Plus you should never underestimate the power of Eurovision.
“We had a young lad turn up at a gig about 18 months ago who’d flown over from Canada. He was a massive Eurovision fan and wanted to see us. He’s become something of a superfan since then.
” Chances are that he’ll be among the thousands enjoying the Brit Fest. “It’s such a great line-up isn’t it?” said Cheryl. “I know so many of the people who will be playing; we’ve shared stages with many of them over the years.
“It’s going to be a real party.” The Brit Fest runs from Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6 at the Ashley Hall Showground, Altrincham. The Fizz are playing on the Saturday.
Details from www.thebritfest.co.
uk.
