In this interview, Diane reveals some of the secrets of her success....
Q: At what age did you realise you wanted to be a singer ?
Diane:
As with most singers, as a child I used to lock myself in my bedroom for hours on end playing my favourite tunes and singing along. I’ve still got my old albums and 45’s and still get them out from time to time. One day I was singing ‘Help me make it through the night’ by Gladys Knight, and when I finished my mum came in and said that I would definately be a singer one day. It was the first time my parents had ever recognised my singing, and I was over the moon. I never looked back after that day.
Q: Who were your musical influences ?
Diane :
I always loved Michael Jackson, I had all the early albums and probably developed my voice by singing along to him more than anyone else. People today still say I do a pretty good impression of little Michael Jackson. I went to see the Jackson Five at the Manchester Apollo way back in about 1977, I was right at the front and Tito gave me a rose during the show, and I was screaming like a little girly !
I’ve loved their music ever since.
When growing up, I listened to all types of music because of my parents. My dad listened to a lot of Reggae (Blue Beat) but mainly Calypso, mainly Sparrow (THE calypso king).
My mum listened to the radio a lot so I sang along to Doris Day, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves and Brook Benton, got down to Motown, 70’s soul/ disco and annoyed the neighbours with Beatles ,The Rolling Stones and the Bay City Rollers!!!
I have also have a soft spot for Country music because of Country Music Television which was shown here in the UK for a short while, now I’m HOOKED!!
My favourite singer of all time, would have to be, without hesitation, Gladys Knight !!
Q: What do you love about Gladys Knight ?
Diane:
Phew, where do I start??!!! The lady is beautiful physically and spiritually and a voice to die for . I call her the ‘singers singer!‘
I got to see her live last year for the first time, and as soon as she stepped out onto the stage the tears started, and I cried through the whole of her first song!
