N is for Never Gonna Give You Up

N is for Never Gonna Give You Up (and no, this is not a Rickroll).

For the uninitiated, Never Gonna Give You Up was a 1987 song by British singer Rick Astley. It's the song that catapulted me into listening to pop music. We all have that song, yes? Think back, and tell me which song it was for you.

Those were heady days back then, as I think I've mentioned in another post. The mid to late 80s were an awesome time to be young. There was a lot of good movies, a lot of good music, and a lot of great TV. I was breaking the mould of my childhood then. I was the child of an Hons Degree music teacher mother and a father who was just becoming more eclectic in his taste by discovering (and trying to foist on me) classical composers like Glazunov, I found the bubblegum, upbeat pop music of the day much more to my taste! And Never Gonna Give You Up came out at just about the right time to be the vehicle of my ride out of my parents opinion into my own.

Now That's What I Call Music! Turns 30. A look through time.

Now That's What I Call A Long Time.

Most of us have grown up with the Now That's What I Call Music! (Now! for short) compilations. Can't actually remember a time when we didn't have them, and it's not surprising, since the first one came out in 1983. (I'm talking the UK here guys, and other parts of the world - Europe, and South Africa). The Now! series didn't come out in the United States until 1998. In South Africa the series started in 1984. It should be noted that the numbers I'm referring to relate to the UK series in this article. 

Catching Up With Ingi from Clout!

Any South African who listened to music in the late 70s or early 80s, or who had parents who did, knows of the South African all girl band Clout.  Their biggest hit Substitute reached number one in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Denmark and Belgium. Substitute was held to the #2 slot by the #1 "You're The One That I Want", from the hit musical film Grease on the UK Singles Chart and this success was followed by other major hits including Save Me, You've Got All of Me, Under Fire and Portable Radio. 

The original five members were Cindy Alter, Lee Tomlinson, Ingrid "Ingi" Herbst (now Brough), Glenda Hyam and Jenni Garson. I met with Ingi to chat about the band days and catch up!