Memories of the music maestros

PICK OF THE WEEK

Love them or loathe them, you can't deny that Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman left an indelible mark on the music industry and British popular culture as a whole. Responsible for over 100 Top 40 hits in the UK alone, the Londonbased trio ruled the pop charts in the 1980s and early 1990s. They sold millions of records, launched the musical careers of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Sinitta, and many others, and provided the soundtrack to a generation. However, as documentary series

has already shown, they were despised and reviled by some who saw their “synthetically manufactured music” as a stain on the industry. Nevertheless, as Waterman says: “If we had to do it all again, I wouldn't change a thing.” Stock agrees: “Only looking back do I realise what a great time it was,” he adds.

And finally, Aitken resolutely declares: “Like us, hate us, but you'll never change us.”

Last week's opening part, which is available to stream on My5, explored the early days of SAW as American drag star Divine gave Stock Aitken Waterman their first Top 40 hit, before Hazell Dean took them to the Top 10, and Dead or Alive rocketed to the top spot with their iconic hit You

Spin Me Round (Like a Record). But it was far from a pop fairytale, and we also heard about SAW's continued efforts to keep the socalled Hit Factory afloat, as they began working with rising stars such as Princess, Mel and Kim, and Bananarama, who eventually scored a coveted US No.1 with Venus.

This concluding edition begins in 1987, with three separate performers destined to become among the biggest acts of the decade.

Astley stormed both sides of the Atlantic with his first two singles, while Australian soap stars Kylie and Jason captured the hearts of the nation, before coming together for the duet the nation demanded, Especially for You. Plus, a young Liverpudlian named Sonia reaches the top of the charts with her very first single You'll Never Stop Me Loving You.

Mike, Matt, and Pete reflect on the success they had during this time, when their roster of acts and hits grew and grew. However, as their success multiplied, so did the music industry's difficulty in embracing them.

How could this independent team take on the majors and keep winning?

Pete Waterman features