Larry Heard

MR. FINGERS, HOUSE MUSIC LEGEND

What music are you currently grooving to? Well, putting an album together, mixing it down, working on the show… I’ve been listening to my own music. When your livelihood is music, sometimes you don’t get to hear everybody else’s.

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album? I have a room full of favourite albums. But if I had to pick out something, there are a lot of selections on Songs In The Key Of Life I enjoy. I can’t say I’ve ever done any critical thinking about it. I want to feel more than think.

What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it? It was Sly & The Family Stone, the 45 of Hot Fun In The Summertime. I was nine years old and I saved my lunch money to buy it. Chances are the store was Metro Music in our neighbourhood in Chicago. That got wore out – when you only have one record, you play it a zillion, trillion times.

Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be? I’ve admired tons of guys: Chick Corea, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Luther Vandross. But you have to switch back to reality.

What do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing anything, uh-uh.

What is your favourite Saturday night record? I don’t have one. I’m approaching 60 – I’ll be in bed, no matter if I am Mr. Fingers! But Oliver Cheatham’s Get Down Saturday Night was a song for getting ready to go out and party. Hearing that would immediately make you think back to fun times with friends.

And your Sunday morning record? The news. I’d go to church and then start working again. I do music like everyone does a shift at their job. It’s not 24/7 – that much music would get boring. You have to leave room to want it. Mr. Fingers’ Cerebral Hemispheres is out now on Alleviated Records.