ON TRACK: AHEAD OF HIS LINEOUT APPEARANCE PAUL YOUNG TACKLES OUR QUESTIONS

Paul Young will figure on the 80s Lineout bill at Campbell Park this Sunday evening (October 4), joining with other 80s aces including Rick Astley, Katrina Leskanich and Sister Sledge.

The man behind one of the our most favoured releases of the decade (namely No Parlez) didn't stop there though, with plenty of music through the years since, both solo, collaborative (remember the Zucchero connection?) and with the band he will perform with at Sunday's show,  Los Pacaminos.  

Musically they sit 'somewhere between the Mariachi and Norteno styles of Mexico and the Country/Blues sounds of the South-West America,' and Paul promises they are the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

The man with the unmistakable voice went On Track with Total MK...

The song that first awakened your musical senses

If I really think about it, it wasn't any of what became my all time favourite bands...it was actually Living in the Past by Jethro Tull!

I worked out that it was in a 5/4 time signature, and I remember thinking how amazing that a band could get a number one hit in 5/4.

Although I wasn't particularly enjoying my piano lessons at that early age, it did give me a common knowledge of music.

Physical or digital - how do you take your music?

It's been physical until very recently.  I still love to buy CD's because I like to read the information while I'm listening, but because I've been doing radio shows recently, I've taken to downloading tracks that I need individually.

And that's sad, because I think I'm contributing to the death of the album as an art form...

The first time you thought 'Music...this is the job for me'

It wasn't with my first band Streetband, because there was a lot of tension as we didn't know musically what we wanted to be.

But when I formed the Q-Tips and we gained some experience, I finally realised I can do something I love and get paid for it.

Your best on-stage memory...

Doing 'Get Back' at the Prince's Trust concert with Paul McCartney, Brian Adams, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Mark Knopfler, Mark King, Phil Collins, and sorry if I've left anybody out!

And the worst gig you've ever done

A Streetband gig to five people

What made you take up singing

I started as a bass player, but even doing backing vocals drew my eyes to the main mic stand...it was only a matter of time...

Paul solo hires

Which one song by another artist do you wish you had written

Tough:  Let's look at a more modern song...You Give Me Something by James Morrison

And one - by yourself - that hold special significance

Tularosa from the East West Paul Young album.  I think it holds the most coherent lyrics I've written.

A story about a single mum from a small town who ends up being a truckstop girl to afford to feed her girl.

I was so sure it would get picked by various country singers, but so far only one, and he was a breaking artist that didn't break...

If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?

If I was younger I might choose someone different, but at my age?  I'd pick Rod Stewart! 

I want to enjoy every minute of life I've got left, and there's a man who knows how to enjoy himself.

Are there any current musical influences you might look to?

I certainly don't look at pop music to influence me, pop is just a lightweight version of all serious music...the only things I glean from pop music are the latest recording techniques and the occasional arrangement idea.

I've had a 15-20 year obsession with Latin music that shows no sign of stopping.

And any genre of music you simply can't stand?

Nope.  I might not like a new genre of music, but when I hear somebody doing it really well then I understand it.  One case in point, Snoop Dogg

Finally, plug the Lineout show for us.  What can visitors to the Campbell Park event expect?

Los Pacaminos are the most fun you can have with your clothes on.  It's not angst ridden, it's happy music and the most fun to play ever. 

I'm just sorry that not everyone can be in the band!

If we could do that, there'd be no audience...  

To book tickets for Sunday's show visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk