Graham Bonnet, best known as singer in Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group and many others expands on his singing career and what the future holds with regard to new music and live gigs.
Who were your influences in the early days and have you always wanted to be a singer in a band?
I always wanted to be a solo singer like Paul Anka who was one of my influences. I was also influenced by Mario Lanza, Buddy Holly and Little Richard to name a few.
Apart from the bands we know about, have you ever auditioned for the vocal spot in any other notable bands?
No, although I was invited to audition for The Sweet, Black Sabbath, ELO, Hawkwind, The New Seekers and Steelers Wheel.
Your time in Rainbow and MSG was all too brief. Do you regret this and wish you could have built on the two great albums you appeared on with these bands?
YES!
You have appeared on a great number of albums over the years. Do you have a favourite album or time period and why?
My album Lineup with all my best friends Cozy Powell, Don Airy, Jon Lord, etc. is my absolute favourite. I’m also proud of the Marbles album that I did with my cousin Trevor Gordon.
Do you have any plans to release another solo album?
Never say never…...
You’re sounding great these days. Some vocalists are on strict dietary regimes or gargle with special liquids. How have you kept your voice in tip-top shape all these years?
I’ve been very fortunate in that department. I try to limit caffeine and acidic drinks. I don’t smoke or drink alcohol and try to eat right.
Do you still get the same buzz out of singing live as you did in the past?
Yes! Always! I like showing off.
Are there any musicians that you have not worked with, but would like to in the future?
Absolutely! Brian Wilson would be my first choice to work with. I’d love to do a duet with Bruce Dickenson, Rob Halford, Glenn Hughes, Joe Lynn Turner and Doro Pesch. I’m currently working with Jeff Loomis and Van Williams on my version of Alcatrazz and they are both top-notch.
Have you or would you consider producing other bands?
Yes. I’ve always wanted to produce but the right situation hasn’t presented itself.
Is there any unreleased recordings from your solo career or the various bands you’ve been in that could be released?
Probably.
With the live circuit back up and running, is there a possibility of seeing you perform in the UK again?
Yes. I perform in the UK at least once per year.
Do you have anything else in the pipeline at the moment that you can share?
The Graham Bonnet Band has a Scandinavian tour coming April/May and we are just beginning working on our next album.
Interview by Stuart Dryden
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