|
|
 |
| |
Beryl Marsden with Rod Stewart in the 1960s as a member of Shotgun Express
|
Backing singer for the stars has returned to studio after 40 years
Grandmother of five sang with the Beatles and Rod Stewart in the 1960s
A GRANDMOTHER of five is releasing her first single in 40 years and is hoping for chart success a second time round.
Beryl Marsden, 59, from Lofting Road, Barnsbury, last graced the hit parade in 1967 when she performed with Rod Stewart.
Now, the pensioner hopes to make a come back and has hit out at the “ageism” shown by record companies.
Ms Marsden will release a cover version of crooner Burt Bacharach’s Baby It’s You to be distributed across Islington by a local record label.
A teen star in the 1960s, she toured with the Beatles, Rod Stewart and Martha Reeves.
Her fifth and last single was released in 1967 with Shotgun Express, with Rod Stewart and Mick Green, later of Fleetwood Mac.
During her break Mrs Marsden has raised a family but continued to perform at local clubs.
She said: “I am delighted to be out there again. I’m enjoying singing more than ever before and I feel no pressure at my age. I can just be myself and enjoy it.”
Ms Marsden added: “Older people with talent shouldn’t give up. Even though record companies can be ageist, the digital age means there are more opportunities for musicians, whatever their age.”
Ms Marsden says she has fond memories of the Sixties but insists she was far from being a wild child.
She said: “I remember it being really hard work.
“It sometimes felt like we went from van to motorway back to van to bed. I was only 17 on the Beatles’ last UK tour, but we did like having a laugh and a drink. The crowd was screaming so loudly, our pianist used to play the piano with his elbow.”
Ever-popular, just two weeks ago Ms Marsden performed at a birthday party for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. She opened with Happy Birthday Mr President and finished with Jerry Lee Lewis’s Whole Lot of Shaking.
George Durack, chairman of Islington Pensioners’ Forum, is backing Mrs Marsden’s comeback.
He said: “I think it’s wonderful that a small record company with a young team are recognising the talent of an older person.”
Baby It’s You is released on LoneBoy Records, an Islington label, on April 16 and will be sold in Islington record shops, hairdressers and cafes. It is available as a download from iTunes.
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
