‘We performed it everywhere, even on Miss World. Once, on tour, a fan pulled me into the pit – but my hunky Italian security guard put me back on stage’
I had come to England from St Louis, Missouri, in the 1970s to do an album for a singer, and decided to stick around. I was in Slim Chance with Ronnie Lane for a while, and went on tour with Gallagher and Lyle. Then, come the 80s, I started doing more writing and co-wrote songs for Shakin’ Stevens, Elkie Brooks and Paul Young.
My publishers asked me to write for Five Star, so I co-wrote System Addict with Gary Bell. I was in my 30s but they were still in their teens, getting their experience in the studio while I was getting mine as a producer. Six months later, after being on tour, I was asked to contribute a song for their second album. My publisher said: “You should write with Peter Sinfield.” Pete had moved to Spain, so I sent him a rough track of the melody, then a week later, he said: “You got a pencil and paper? Write this down.” I wrote the lyrics down over the phone. The demo of Rain Or Shine was sung by a session singer, and dear friend of mine, Tessa Niles. You name it, she sang on it. She toured with the Police and sang on Layla on Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album. She came in and sang Rain Or Shine, easy-peasy.
