MARTI OPENS HIS HEART ABOUT MOTHER'S DEATH: My mum was my inspiration, now I'll make her proud; The former Wet Wet Wet singer hasn't had his troubles to seek in recent years, and the passing of his mother, Margaret, was a bitter blow, but he insists he'll fight on for the woman who introduced him to his life of music.
Byline: By JOHN DINGWALLMARTI Pellow has vowed to put his family and friends first as he continues to make his singing comeback this week.
Marti says the death of his beloved mum, Margaret, last month has helped put into perspective the highs and lows of his career, spanning 20 years.
And he paid tribute to his former bandmates who turned up at the small Clydebank crematorium to pay their respects after Margaret's passing.
The former Wet Wet Wet singer says: ``I want to thank everybody for the love and support I received from all over the world, on my website and letters.
``It was very special to me because obviously my mother was a very special woman to me. She will continue to be because you only get one mammy.
``Mum was a singer herself, she used to sing show tunes in the clubs.
``She liked Julie London and Vicky Carr and she introduced me to the music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
``It is still fresh in my memory. Time is a great healer. I can only try to move forward and embrace those memories. ``I have always made time for my family. Sure, we often come together through unfortunate circumstances, but it does bring you closer.''
Meeting the other ex-Wets members at the funeral was an emotional experience for Marti who no longer rules out the possibility of a reunion.
He adds: ``The boys coming to my mother's funeral was fantastic because that is what it is all about the love and support which speaks volumes.
``As far as the band getting back together goes I say, never say never. I had some wonderful times in that band and not so wonderful times.
``But the good times far outweigh the bad. Everybody's needs are different and we're not the same type of people. But I still have love and admiration for them. Whether we'll make a record again though, I just don't know.''Marti is back with a new solo single Lot Of Love, which is out today.
He can be seen writhing naked with girlfriend Eileen Catterson in the video for the song.
Marti confesses the pair, who started dating in 1990, have discussed starting a family.
``I would love to have kids, '' he says. ``It would be wonderful. It could only be good news and I believe fatherhood can only make you a better person. Would it be a mini-me? I don't know.
``All those things, when you are in a relationship, are talked about.''
Eileen stood by the singer when, in 1999, it was revealed he was a heroin addict news that shocked Wets fans. The clean-cut pop band had enjoyed 12 Top 10 hits including three No.1 singles With A Little Help From My Friends, Goodnight Girl and their version of Reg Presley's Love Is All Around, as well as four British No.1 albums.
Then came Marti's bombshell. His first step back from the brink was to collaborate with ex-Squeeze musician Chris Difford who helped Marti kick his heroin habit - and worked his debut solo album Smile " He's a real rock especially through all the bad s*** of my addictions,'' Marti admits. ``I went to his house in Rye and said, `Look, I need you and your lyrics and I need to stay in your house. Where's ma pipe and slippers?' ``Mind you, I'm a nightmare to work with: I move very quickly; I'm a typical addict, I want it here and I want it now. And nobody understands my accent.'' The singer admits he is still taking things one day at a time. ``I take time time for my family and for myself and my loved ones and also for my work, he says. ``Being in a position where I can do that is fantastic. `I look after myself now. I go to the gym, I eat vegetarian. But I'm still as wacky as ever. I'm still a fun, positive person. But, I just take more time for others and a a little time for myself. "|I'm into harmony and the gathering of people I want to spend time with. The difference nowadays is that I am only pouring the drink. I'm the barman. I'm not drinking.'' His run as Billy Flynn in Chicago kicks off in Birmingham next month having recently played to packed houses in Tokyo, where he performed 11 shows per week. Marti laughs: ``It's funny. You can tell with my dulcet tones that I'm not from Chicago, but I'm so proud I managed to have the success I did in that environment because I could so easily have fallen on my a***.
``It has been an enormous challenge. I loved the discipline.
``To be honest, I was s*** scared. But that was good because that kept me alive. I was like, here I go.''
THE singer finally gets to tread the boards of Broadway in March after a strike put paid to a planned debut earlier this year.
``I flew over in Concorde the last time and before I knew it I was on the picket line, '' he recalls. ``I mean, what's that all about. I was there to tread the boards. ``I was set to make my Broadway debut and had been given an allocated time to sit and rehearse with people.
``Because they were all down on the picket line I didn't get access to that.
``So when they decided to go back to work on the Tuesday, my opening night, I wanted to do the job right, so I asked if I could reschedule. Fortunately, they embraced that and everybodyfelt it was a good idea. I wasn't pulling a strop. It was new to me and I wanted to do the best I could. I always knew I was going to go back to Broadway.''
Fans will also be able to see Marti in his pop persona when he arrives in Scotland for dates at Aberdeen's P&J Arena on February 7, Edinburgh Playhouse (8) and Glasgow Clyde Auditorium (10 and 11).
He'll be performing songs from a new album of cover versions, aptly titled Between The Covers, out next Monday. It features his interpretations of songs such as Leonard Cohen's Suzanne and Paul Weller's Brand New Start.
Also included in the live set will be Wet Wet Wet favourites Goodnight Girl and Sweet Little Mystery along with solo songs.
His last tour, in 2001, proved a turning point for Marti who admits: ``It was mental and I did it clean. I toured with nothing no drugs, no drink.
``Previously, I'd always thought I'd need to get f***ed up to work, but I now know that's not true. I could savour the moments better and that was such a high in itself.
``I've still got loads of problems, but it's cool with me and it's cool with the missus. I'm clean as a whistle, fighting fit and looking after myself. I see myself as a longterm project and I'm something I need to address every day.''
CAPTION(S):
I'LL GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP: Marti's parents Margaret and; John, above, were so proud when their son hit the big time while girlfriend Eileen Catterson, left, has stood by him for 13 years; BACK ON TRACK:; Marti has put his troubles behind him and has just recorded a new single and album; GOING LIVE: Marti is set to play Scotland
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| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
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| Date: | Nov 10, 2003 |
| Words: | 1239 |
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