Tony Cowell
As she prepares for a new tour, pop legend Lulu talks about being a grandmother, and her struggles over the years with self-doubt
E vergreen singer Lulu, 68, was recently on our screens in Let It Shine. Now she is hitting the road for her latest tour, 53 years after her first hit single in 1964.
You never seem to stop working – do you ever take a break? [Laughs] Well, I love being on stage and doing a show. That’s what I’ve done all my life. As long as people still love it, I will continue doing it. That’s why I toured last year – and why I’m touring again this year, all over the UK.
Did you always want to be a singer?
Yes. When I was a little girl of about five or six I remember my parents coming home with new records – it was all vinyl then, of course. I would lie down on the floor by the record player with my ear up against the speaker and just get lost in the music. I still feel the same way about music today. That feeling has never gone away.
When you started singing in the 60s, did you ever think you’d be working 50 odd years later?
No. Who would have thought it possible? I have been very lucky – but there were many times, as I got older, that I thought everything I did was rubbish. I was so judgemental and down on myself. I had so many self-doubts and I took a long time to find myself. Now I’m much happier. I’m also very grateful.
You have acted in movies throughout your career; was acting with Sidney Poitier in To Sir, with Love the highlight?
It was one of them, yes. Who would have known how important that film was to become? It’s now part of history. There were no black actors before Sidney. In 2011 I was asked by Oprah Winfrey to sing To Sir, With Love to Sidney at an awards party. I remember my heart pumping backstage – I don’t know how I ever sang that song!
You knew David Bowie personally. How did his death last year affect you?
Yes, it shocked me to the core. It made me feel grateful I am still alive. I knew David for a brief period in my life but I will never forget him. It makes you value your life much more – I now make more time to see my son [Jordan] and my grandchildren [Bella and Teddy]. Death scares you but you have to carry on.
You knew The Beatles in the early days, too. How do you look back at that time?
The 60s was an amazing time – and of course I was very young. I remember John Lennon saying to me, ‘Lulu, you have to go to India.’ I was very influenced by them – we all were – and of course, they helped shape my career. Ever since then I have been interested in meditation and I have been going to see a guru since 1984. I recently took up yoga again, too, and that really helps me.
You were on TV’s Let It Shine – did you enjoy it?
I loved it. There was some great talent on there. I’m a
big fan of Gary [Barlow] but I remember when I first met him I was quite scared of him. Looking back I think it was because I saw myself in him. He was just so full of himself, so confident. I just knew he would be such a big star – I am always happy to work with him.
Would you do more TV, such as The X Factor or The Voice UK?
If I was offered a job as a judge I would probably say yes. If you’ve been given as much as I have, you have to give something back. I love working with young people and I think I would be good at mentoring, so maybe one day I will get that chance to give back.
You have two grandchildren now – how does that make you feel?
Well, I love it – I’m very hands-on. They both call me Nana Lu and they love singing. My granddaughter loves Little Mix so we sing together in the car. I suppose they ground me. They make me smile. I’m very lucky.
You appeared in the Absolutely Fabulous movie – what was that like?
It was so much fun. I’ve known both Jennifer [Saunders] and Joanna [Lumley] for a long time. Jennifer can be so po-faced but beneath that face there is so much comedy. Joanna I knew from when she played Purdey in The Avengers. My then husband, John Frieda, gave her that famous hairstyle – which of course Princess Diana adopted.