Revealed, Lulu’s guilty pleasure...
Scottish pop icon plans to unleash inner rock goddess
HER musical career was built on a string of pop hits such as Shout – when she was only 15 – and To Sir With Love. But now singer Lulu has revealed a surprising passion – for heavy metal. The 68-year-old Scottish pop icon’s enthusiasm springs from her nephew Felix Lawrie, the frontman for the band Brutai. Lulu, born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, went to see Brutai in London at the end of last year and admits she was hooked. She now hopes to join forces with the ‘progressive metal’ band and work on a duet. Lulu said: ‘They did a 20minute set in a very cool club and it was fabulous, absolutely amazing. I thought, “Wow, this is the new, these are the children who are growing up and going to take over” – he could be really huge.’ As Brutai embark on their first UK tour this week (they play Glasgow’s G2 on Tuesday), Lulu added: ‘I wanted Felix to gig with me the year before last but he couldn’t because of commitments with his own band. One day we have to get up on stage and perform something.
‘Heavy metal was never my first choice – for me it was rock ’n’ roll and soul and gospel.
‘But I did absolutely go mad for Led Zeppelin. I had worked with Jimmy Page from the age of 16, and John Paul Jones was my musical director and arranger for many years.’
Auntie Lu – as Felix calls her – earned brownie points when she took her nephew to see his idols Black Sabbath. She is friends with Sharon Osbourne, X Factor judge and wife of singer Ozzy.
Felix, 27, whose father – Lulu’s brother – is award-winning songwriter Billy Lawrie, said: ‘I was trying to hold it together, trying to keep cool and not act like too much of fanboy. I’m a big fan of them.
‘I’ve got an amazing Auntie Lu who has always been there when I needed her for advice and help.
‘I’ve possibly helped to make her look at heavy metal music more. Auntie Lu can hear and appreciate heavy metal bands that also have melodies.’ Lulu appears on Gary Barlow’s new TV show Let It Shine as a judge.
She said: ‘It’s been brilliant working with other young people through the Gary Barlow show. Music is music is music, and it’s healing, and if you’re fortunate enough to have a job in the music world, you count your blessings and thank God every day.’