Billy turns back time; Music.Byline: By Alison Dayani SOUL legend Billy Ocean returns to the Midlands tonight to lead an '80s revival. In his first tour for 15 years, the biggest selling British Black artist of all time is simply bubbling over with excitement at his comeback when he chats to me. "The show is really made up of all the hits plus three new songs as I have recently come back from Jamaica where I made a reggae track," reveals 57-year-old Ocean. "I just thank God that I can comeback in at this level and go back on the road." Ocean, who now lives in Wickford Essex with wife, childhood sweetheart Judy, is thankful to still be a hot favourite among young and old audiences as he prepares for his show tonight at Wolverhampton Civic Hall Wolverhampton Civic Hall is a music venue in Wolverhampton, the West Midlands. It has been one of the most important live music venues in the county for several decades. . But he is genuinely surprised at becoming an idol among a new generation of rappers, so much so that hip hop artist Big Boi, from OutKast, even uses the name 'Billy Ocean' as an alias. American rapper Warren G even mentions the Trinidad-born singer's name in the song, Super Soul Sis, and in US show Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Chris is an African-American sitcom, on The CW Television Network. It is inspired by the teenage experiences of comedian Chris Rock (who narrates the show), while growing up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. , a main character Tonya idolizes Ocean so much that she credits him as inventing the Moonwalk moon·walk n. A walk on the surface of the moon by an astronaut. intr.v. moon·walked, moon·walk·ing, moon·walks To walk on the surface of the moon. , rather than Michael Jackson. But with hits like Caribbean Queen, Suddenly, Love Really Hurts Without You and Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" is a number-one single by singer Billy Ocean. It reached #1 in the US, Norway, and Australia. Preceded by "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson Billboard Hot 100 number one single , to his name, it is no wonder he has attracted the likes of Will Smith and R Kelly to work with him over the years. "I have heard about that rapper who uses the name to Billy Ocean," Billy tells me with a hearty laugh. "I haven't managed to meet him yet though but maybe one day, I might even sing with him. "There are lots of people I want to sing with, like Bonnie Tyler, I would love to do a duet with her. Music seems to be in Ocean's blood. After coming to England when he was eight, he was singing in clubs by his teens. He was even made an honorary doctor of music by the University of Westminster The University of Westminster is a university in London, England, formed in 1992 as a result of the Further and Higher Education Act, 1992, which allowed the London Polytechnic (Polytechnic of Central London or PCL) to rename itself as a university. at the Barbican in London in recognition of his services to the music industry. Ocean, who became a Rastafarian around the time his mother became ill with cancer in the late 80s, adds: "I made a decision to take time out when the music industry was changing, to be with my three children, but it just feel great to be back. There are so many great songs I can't wait to sing. It's going to be great and a change is healthy." "There are so many great songs I can't wait to sing Ticket info Tickets for Billy Ocean at Wolverhampton Civic Hall are priced at pounds 27.50 from Midland Box Office on 0870 320 7000 or online at www.wolvescivic.co.uk |
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