Marty Wilde Talks New EP, His 85th Birthday And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Photo Credit: Supplied By PR
The legendary Marty Wilde has an action-packed 2024 celebrating his 85th birthday, the release of his new EP ‘Two Eyes Streaming’ on 19th April 2024 and a UK Tour. He graciously spoke to JLTT about his plans:
Firstly, congratulations on your 85th year which has had such an illustrious career. Do you have any particular moments, highlights or memories of your life and career?
Reading in the Record Mirror that Endless Sleep had gone in the charts in 1957.
You will be releasing your new EP ‘Two Eyes Streaming’ on 19th April 2024. How did you want to approach the making of the EP?
I enjoy writing songs and the EP evolved whilst doing so.
The title track is also a single. What was the inspiration/story behind the song?
‘Two Eyes Streaming’ was based on my experience as a young child who was missing his father, who was serving in the army during the last war.
In addition, the EP includes an original track called ‘Elvis’ about Elvis Presley. Do you have any stories of meeting/working with him?
I never met Elvis, but I became friendly with Lamaar Fyke who was a personal friend of Elvis’s, and he took my record of ‘Bad Boy’ over to Germany and Elvis told him he thought it would be a hit.
I wanted to ask you about the EP cover photo – Is it yourself in the photo and when and where was it taken?
Yes, its a photograph of me when my father was based in Devon for a short period of time, and he loaned me his hat, his bag, and I used a walking stick as an imaginary rifle.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones?
My favourite stage instruments are obviously my acoustic guitars.
Do you have any live plans for 2024 in the UK and if so, how are you feeling about touring?
I plan to work throughout the year, and there are many shows that I will be doing here in the UK, and although I’m not a teenager anymore I’m looking forward to meeting the people that come to see me.
Given your extensive back catalogue, it it difficult picking a setlist and do you have a specific song selection process?
I try to always include at least three songs that were hits for me, and I like to mix that with some self penned ballads.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
London is the greatest city.
What music do you enjoy listening to? Do you have any recommendations?
My selection is eclectic, but I do enjoy listening to Pavarotti, Paul Simon and all the great Rock and Roll tracks.
How do you look after your voice?
I have been particularly fortunate with my voice because the muscles around my throat are very strong, so I can still sing my songs in the original keys.
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
Firstly, I want the audience to have thoroughly enjoyed it, and also to feel that I did the best I could for them.
Do you have a specific process when you are songwriting at all?
I have no specific process, because sometimes I might hear a great melody in my head, or read a fantastic title from a newspaper. I believe a great song consists of a great verse, a great hook, and just as importantly, a great middle eight.
What makes Marty Wilde happy and what makes you unhappy?
I feel great if I can come up with a good song. Thinking of how great the past was, comparing it to what is happening now, in this country.
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By PR
Marty Wilde’s new single ‘Two Eyes Streaming’ released on Pushka Records/Right Track/Universal on Friday 19th April 2024.
The new EP ‘Two Eyes Streaming’ is released on the same day.
You can download the single and EP here: https://lnk.to/TwoEyesStreaming
To purchase a physical CD of the new EP visit: https://wilde-productions-limited.square.site/product/2024-ep-release-two-eyes-streaming-ep/26?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false
In addition, Marty Wilde will embark on a 2024 Greatest Hits UK Tour which will visit the following venues:
15 MAR 2024 Elgiva Theatre Chesham, UK
24 MAR 2024 Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Brierley Hill, UK
31 MAR 2024 New Theatre Peterborough, Peterborough, UK
13 APR 2024 The Majestic Theatre, Retford, UK
14 APR 2024 Civic Hall, Cottingham, UK
27 APR 2024 Blackheath Halls, London, UK
04 MAY 2024 Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, UK
11 MAY 2024 Chequer Mead Theatre, East Grinstead, UK
24 MAY2024 The Regent Christchurch, Christchurch, UK
30 MAY 2024 Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford, UK
05 JUL 2024 Princess Theatre, Hunstanton, UK
06 SEP 2024 St George’s Theatre, Great Yarmouth, UK
07 SEP 2024 West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-On-Sea, UK
21 SEP 2024 Middlesbrough Theatre, Middlesbrough, UK
22 SEP 2024 Leeds Varieties, Leeds, UK
06 OCT 2024 The Stables, Milton Keynes, UK
20 OCT 2024 ‘An Evening With’ – The Radlett Centre, Radlett
01 NOV 2024 Witham Public Hall, Witham, UK
07 NOV 2024 ‘An Evening With’ – The Lights, Andover
For more tickets and more information visit his official website here: https://martywilde.com/
