Albert Hammond is a man with the musical midas touch. For more than five decades, the songs that he has written have connected with people. Millions of people. Worldwide, his songs have been responsible for record sales in excess of 360 million and his material has scored more than 40 chart-toppers.
He has worked with artists including Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Whitney Houston, Roy Orbison and Julio Iglesias.
Albert will share the songs, and the stories behind them during an intimate date at Wavendon Stables on Sunday (April 26) as part of his Songbook Tour.
Albert went On Track with Total MK...
The song that first awakened your musical senses.
It wasn’t just a song that awakened my musical senses. I fell in love with Buddy Holly as a teenager and his songs like Oh Boy, That'll be the day and later on True Love Ways, Moon Dreams etc……. became the sound track of my life back then and still today I reminisce at home about that time in my life.
Physical or digital, how do you take your music?
My music has always been physical. It comes from the heart. I sometimes wonder if I write them or if a greater power sends them to me for the world to hear. I still sit with a guitar or at the piano to write songs just like I’ve always done.
The first time you thought 'Music - this is the job for me'
I was eight years old and a choir boy. I used to sing with everyone, but every now and then I would take a solo on my own and people used to tell my parents how much they loved my solo vocals on a Sunday morning in Church.
Your best on-stage memory
The best on stage memory was in 2008 when I was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and sang It Never Rains in Southern California in front of all my peers.
And the worst gig you've ever done
There were many gigs I thought were terrible but when you are always trying to better yourself that happens. This is something normal with every artist. We never seem to be happy when we come off stage - we always say we could have been better.
What made you follow the writing route?
I think it followed me. I wanted to sing and write rock n roll but my writing took me to different places through other journeys and I couldn’t stop it. I think I’m one of those songwriters that has had success in the rock, pop, country and r&b music.
A vast variety of artists have recorded my songs and I’m very grateful for this.
Which one song by another artist do you wish you had written?
Well this is a difficult question as I wish I had written many songs that other people have written that I love. But since you only ask for one I would say it's Imagine by John Lennon.
And one - by yourself - that holds special significance
It's really hard for any songwriter to mention just one song that holds a special significance to him, especially if you’ve written as many songs as I have, but since you're putting me on the spot I would have to say The Air That I Breathe.
If you could step into the shoes of another artists, living or dead, who would you choose?
I don’t think I would love to step in the shoes of another musician living or dead and I’ve worked with quite a few, but I certainly would have loved to walk beside many of them.
Are there any current musical influences you might look to?
Not really. I listen to what's happening out there and I think some of it is good, but for influence I still listen to my oldies but goodies especially my vinyls - they just sound so good.
And any genre of music you can't stand?
I love all genres of music. I think all music is good for the soul and music heals in many ways. As a musician I must be open and listen to what others create even if I don’t agree.
Finally, tell us what we can expect from The Stables date
My Show is called Songbook and it's all about the songs I’ve written for myself and for others and the stories behind these songs, my life and the artists I’ve worked with, and since I’m talking about hits from the 60´s, 70´s, 80´s, 90´s etc……. it will take the audience through the soundtrack of their lives.
To book tickets for the date visit www.stables.org
