Express & Star

Andrew Roachford speaks ahead of Bilston Robin 2 show

He bulldozed his way onto the scene with unforgettable tracks like Cuddly Toy and Family Man in the late 80s.

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And soulman Andrew Roachford remains popular with fans across the UK.

As the first artist to sign a staggering seven-album deal with Columbia Records, it heralded the beginning of something big. "Getting signed and being a black British artist gave me a sense of pride" he reminisces.

Raised in south London to West Indian parents, as a child of the 70s and 80s, it's no wonder that his music sounds the way it does. Influenced by everyone from Al Green, Michael Jackson to David Bowie Andrew's formative years were also spent listening to Radio 1, reggae and jazz.

Pinpointing the beginning of his musical career as a child he vividly remembers being mysteriously drawn from his bed to play the piano in his living room. "There was always a piano in the house and I just got up and started playing even though I'd never played before. There was something quite surreal and magical about it."

Looking at Andrew Roachford's family history, though, it shouldn't come as any surprise.

Andrew was Columbia's biggest selling domestic act for more than 10 years. As if any more proof were needed, the fact that Andrew has been approached by such luminaries as Michael Jackson and Chaka Khan to write songs, speaks volumes.

"I'm always pushing myself as an artist. When it comes to songwriting, I naturally gravitate to digging deep. That's how it works for me."

The singer is back on the road and will play Bilston's Robin 2 on Tuesday.

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