Post by Admin on Apr 13, 2013 17:20:34 GMT
Suggs was born Graham McPherson in 1961 and raised mostly in north London. In the late 1970s, he became lead singer of the ska band Madness. They released their debut album, One Step Beyond, in 1979 and went on to become the biggest-selling singles band of the 1980s. They split up in 1986, but reformed in 1992. Last year, they performed Our House on the roof of Buckingham Palace at the Diamond Jubilee concert. They have just released a special edition of their Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da album and a new single, How Can I Tell You. Suggs is currently touring his one-man show, My Life Story. He is married with two daughters.
When were you happiest?
When I was stacking logs in my house in Italy three years ago, listening to James Joyce's The Dubliners. Everything was perfect.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Ray Davies. I just saw a documentary on him. He was talking about his days as a youngster in north London, and it reminded me of things about myself – and he did it with such lack of ego, considering all he has achieved.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Procrastination.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
I'll get back to you on that one when I've had a cup of tea.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I fell off stage when Madness were supporting David Bowie at the Anaheim Stadium in front of 250,000 people – it was 30 years ago.
What is your most treasured possession?
My Tannoy speakers.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Unpolished shoes.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Twiddling with my eyebrows.
What is your favourite smell?
Wood smoke.
What is your favourite book?
Brighton Rock.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I don't feel guilt about pleasure.
What do you owe your parents?
Not suffering fools gladly. (It would be my mum, Edwina, that I owe – I never spoke to my dad.)
To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
To anyone I was rude to who asked for an autograph in the wrong situation.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Che Guevara, Tommy Steele, Peter Osgood, Peggy Lee, Graham Greene, Tommy Cooper, Bob Marley and John Lennon.
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Medieval London, and/or to be on the first boat to India from England.
How do you relax?
Continually.
What is the closest you've come to death?
Driving my mate's father's car and crashing into a tree in Hampstead when I was 14.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Another one.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My family, and the fact that the band I am in are still good friends of mine.
What keeps you awake at night?
Spider the cat licking my face.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Don't Believe The Hype, by Public Enemy.
Where would you most like to be right now?
Where I am, in sunny north London.
Jim
When were you happiest?
When I was stacking logs in my house in Italy three years ago, listening to James Joyce's The Dubliners. Everything was perfect.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Ray Davies. I just saw a documentary on him. He was talking about his days as a youngster in north London, and it reminded me of things about myself – and he did it with such lack of ego, considering all he has achieved.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Procrastination.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
I'll get back to you on that one when I've had a cup of tea.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I fell off stage when Madness were supporting David Bowie at the Anaheim Stadium in front of 250,000 people – it was 30 years ago.
What is your most treasured possession?
My Tannoy speakers.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Unpolished shoes.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Twiddling with my eyebrows.
What is your favourite smell?
Wood smoke.
What is your favourite book?
Brighton Rock.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I don't feel guilt about pleasure.
What do you owe your parents?
Not suffering fools gladly. (It would be my mum, Edwina, that I owe – I never spoke to my dad.)
To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
To anyone I was rude to who asked for an autograph in the wrong situation.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Che Guevara, Tommy Steele, Peter Osgood, Peggy Lee, Graham Greene, Tommy Cooper, Bob Marley and John Lennon.
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Medieval London, and/or to be on the first boat to India from England.
How do you relax?
Continually.
What is the closest you've come to death?
Driving my mate's father's car and crashing into a tree in Hampstead when I was 14.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Another one.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My family, and the fact that the band I am in are still good friends of mine.
What keeps you awake at night?
Spider the cat licking my face.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Don't Believe The Hype, by Public Enemy.
Where would you most like to be right now?
Where I am, in sunny north London.
Jim
