Elkie Brooks

The veteran singer’s voice remains her calling card.

“I’ve never been away,” complains Elkie Brooks when the former Vinegar Joe singer is asked where she’s been. “I’ve never taken a break ever since I started in this business in 1960… I don’t have the time or the money.”

You’ve said you didn’t enjoy the sixties.

I was referring to the early sixties. I released my first single in sixty-four, Something Got A Hold On Me, and it sold quite well. But the next couple didn’t, and in order to make ends meet I had to play a lot of cabaret clubs where I had to sing pop songs and show tunes, which are not my favourite. I was also trying to sing my own songs, but the bands I was using couldn’t really play them. It got to the point where I was seriously thinking of giving it all up.

Then I met [jazz musician] Humphrey Lyttleton at a show and sang a couple of jazz songs and a twelve-bar blues with him. It rekindled my enthusiasm. I was becoming showbiz when I wanted to be music biz. There’s a difference.

Is that why we haven’t seen you in your own TV show?

They tried back in the sixties and they’re still trying, believe me. But it’s just not me. I have to stick to what I know I’m good at. Once you start moving into showbiz, you get judged on your looks rather than your musical ability. And I didn’t really fit that bill at all. You’re not going to get far in show business if you don’t look good.

But Eric Clapton can amble on stage in a T-shirt and jeans and still be God.

I know. I mean, I work at trying to look decent, well groomed, but I’m aware of my age and I’m not going to overdo things. Never even been tempted?

[After a short pause] No. It’s more important to be happy within yourself. And I am. I can sit in my living room, play my piano and sing, and I’m happy. I’m happy to go out on the road and sing in front of an audience. I look after myself. I keep myself well, fit and healthy. And that contributes to my inner peace.

There are a couple of new songs, for you, on your new The Very Best Of collection, including Bobby Womack’s Love Ain’t Something You Can Get For Free, from 1975.

I didn’t actually know it back then, although I’ve always been a big fan. It’s a combination of the song and the feel he gave it. If you get it the first time you hear it, you gotta do it. I’m sure any singer will tell you the same.

People know you as an interpreter of songs. They forget you’ve written a few.

That was certainly true when I first went solo. They told me I was just an interpreter, they didn’t take my songwriting seriously at all. The head guy at A&M Records said I used to try and write too personally. It’s not the right thing to say if you’re trying to build up somebody’s confidence. There’s a lot of that in this business.

Any more albums planned?

Yes, I’m already working on it. Pete Townshend has written a song for me which is great. He said he’d write an opera for me. I said I don’t want an opera, just a bloody song!