Pop: The History Makers with Steve Blame

Thomas Dolby is one of the great innovators of electronic music — a producer, composer, technologist and futurist whose work helped redefine the relationship between music and technology during the 1980s and beyond.Share Link; https://youtu.be/LpDubbNYqoQ?si=hG7gYTL3B-Y3IgObIn this conversation, Thomas Dolby reflects on the evolution of synth-pop, MTV culture, fame and reinvention. From collaborating with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, and Prefab Sprout, to pioneering digital audio technology, Dolby’s story moves far beyond conventional pop stardom.If you liked this interview please consider buying me a coffee;buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakersTHOMAS DOLBY — SELECTED ALBUM RELEASES• The Golden Age of Wireless (1982)• The Flat Earth (1984)• Aliens Ate My Buick (1988)• Astronauts & Heretics (1992)• A Map of the Floating City (2011)CURRENT TOUR:Thomas Dolby – Iconic 80s Recollections TourUK TOUR DATES 2026:• Manchester — 15 May• Bournemouth — 16 May• Bristol — 17 May• Nottingham — 19 May• Birmingham — 20 May• London — 21 May• Stroud — 22 May• Leeds — 24 May• Newcastle — 25 May• Edinburgh — 27 May• Dublin — 29 MayOfficial Website: ThomasDolby.comInstagram: @thomasdolbyofficialSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Uz58cSxlJgefDaSikxYQ7?utm_source=chatgpt.comThe current tour information is listed on his official website.HASHTAGS:#ThomasDolby, #SheBlindedMeWithScience, #SynthPop, #ElectronicMusic, #MTV, #80sMusic, #PrefabSprout, #SiliconValley, #TheFlatEarth, #Synthesizers, #MusicTechnology, #NewWave, #MusicInterview, #Podcast, #SteveBlameKEY PHRASES:Thomas Dolby interview, Thomas Dolby podcast, She Blinded Me With Science, Thomas Dolby MTV, synth-pop pioneers, electronic music history, 1980s music culture, Thomas Dolby technology, Beatnik audio, Thomas Dolby live, The Flat Earth album, synth music documentary, Thomas Dolby tour 2026, music technology pioneers, Thomas Dolby storytelling

Clark Datchler is best known as the lead singer, songwriter and co-founder of Johnny Hates Jazz, one of the most distinctive British pop bands to emerge from the 1980s.Their 1987 debut album Turn Back the Clock became an international success, producing “Shattered Dreams,” “I Don’t Want to Be a Hero,” “Turn Back the Clock” and “Heart of Gold.” “Shattered Dreams” became particularly significant in America, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.Yet just as Johnny Hates Jazz had achieved the kind of international breakthrough most musicians spend their lives pursuing, Clark Datchler left the band.In this episode of Pop: The History Makers, Clark talks about growing up surrounded by music, becoming a songwriter, the creation of Johnny Hates Jazz and the extraordinary speed with which success arrived. He discusses the writing of “Shattered Dreams,” his decision to walk away from the band, his solo career, environmental concerns and the different path his life subsequently took.We also talk about his eventual reunion with Johnny Hates Jazz, returning to songs written by a much younger version of himself, and how his understanding of success has changed with age. It is a conversation about ambition, instinct, regret, purpose and ultimately coming back to something you once left behind.Johnny Hates Jazz and Jaki Graham join forces for “Soul Believer,” a celebration of soul music featuring the titles of more than 27 classic tracks, alongside a new 12-part Soul Believers podcast exploring the music, artists, stories and changing technology behind soul. Looking ahead to 2027, Johnny Hates Jazz will celebrate the 40th anniversary of “Shattered Dreams” with a new double album and Shattered Dreams – The Tour, featuring Jaki Graham as special guest.Clark Datchler — Johnny Hates Jazz — on Pop: The History Makers.If you enjoyed this interview please consider buying me a coffee here;buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakersKeywords:Clark Datchler, Johnny Hates Jazz, Clark Datchler interview, Johnny Hates Jazz interview, Shattered Dreams, Shattered Dreams Johnny Hates Jazz, Turn Back the Clock, I Don't Want to Be a Hero, Heart of Gold, Johnny Hates Jazz songs, Johnny Hates Jazz history, Clark Datchler songwriter, Clark Datchler Shattered Dreams, 1980s pop music, 80s British pop, eighties music, British pop bands, classic pop, music interviews, songwriter interview, songwriting, leaving Johnny Hates Jazz, Johnny Hates Jazz reunion, Soul Believer, Jaki Graham, Clark Datchler 2026, Johnny Hates Jazz 2026, Pop The History Makers, Steve Blame, MTV Europe, music history, behind the music, 80s music documentary

George Michael was one of the greatest singer-songwriters of his generation, but who was the man behind the music?In this conversation, bestselling author Sathnam Sanghera discusses his remarkable new book, Tonight the Music Seems So Loud: The Meaning of George Michael, exploring George's extraordinary journey from pop prodigy to global icon. Together, we look beyond the headlines to examine his artistry, his struggles with fame, sexuality, identity, grief, generosity and the search for authenticity.Rather than simply telling George Michael's life story, Sathnam asks a deeper question: what did George Michael mean—not only to music, but to all of us? How did his songs reflect the world we were living in, and why do they continue to resonate so powerfully today?Join us as we explore the legacy of an artist whose music transcended pop to become part of people's lives.In case you're wondering, the sax solo in Careless Whisper was actually played by Raphael Ravenscroft not Courtney Pine as Sathnam says in the interview.If you liked this interview please consider supporting me by buying me a coffeebuymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakersIf you enjoy thoughtful conversations about music, culture and the artists who shaped our lives, please like, subscribe and share this interview.#GeorgeMichael #SathnamSanghera #Wham #Faith #Older #MusicBooks #MusicHistory #PopCulture #Legacy #SteveBlame

Nearly fifty years after Rattus Norvegicus, Hugh Cornwell is still writing new songs—and still asking what a song can become when he takes it onstage. He’s preparing Succubus, revisiting a lifetime of music on All the Fun of the Fair, and calling his forthcoming solo acoustic tour Never Say Goodbye. So what is he saying goodbye to, and what is he moving towards? Hugh declined to appear on camera for this interview, so this time, listen in as we talk about the music he made with The Stranglers, his solo work, and the songs he has yet to write. He also discusses the possibility of Stranglers-only shows for the fiftieth anniversary of Rattus Norvegicus, and a film about his life that he says is being made. Tour dates and tickets: https://www.hughcornwell.com/live/ If you’d like to support this podcast, please buy me a coffee:buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakers. Every contribution helps keep these interviews going. Discover more interviews: https://popthehistorymakers.com/ Subscribe to Pop: The History Makers for revealing conversations with the artists who created popular music history. #HughCornwell #TheStranglers #SteveBlame #MusicInterview #PopTheHistoryMakers

Before 10cc, Graham Gouldman had already written some of the defining songs of the 1960s—including “For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” “Bus Stop,” “Look Through Any Window” and “No Milk Today.” He then helped form one of Britain’s most inventive bands, creating classics including “I’m Not in Love,” “The Things We Do for Love” and “Dreadlock Holiday.” Become a channel member for access to Beneath the Applause, where I explore the lives behind the music, and Essential Stories, featuring memorable moments from my interviews. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5S9xw1B-ppDXVkAuvRRQtg/join In this extensive career interview, Graham talks bout discovering songwriting, the extraordinary chemistry of 10cc, working with Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, and the circumstances that changed the band. He also discusses Wax and his creative partnership with Andrew Gold, producing the Ramones and the craft of writing songs that continue to connect with audiences across generations. Graham Gouldman and his semi-acoustic band Heart Full of Songs will tour the UK in October 2026, performing material from across his remarkable career. Tickets are available from the venues and at www.grahamgouldman.info. HEART FULL OF SONGS 2026 TOUR 8 October — Corn Exchange Theatre, Stamford 9 October — The Stoller Hall, Manchester 10 October — Playhouse, Whitley Bay 11 October — Memorial Hall, Sheffield 13 October — The Stables, Wavendon 14 October — The Gate, Cardiff 15 October — The Hafren, Newtown 17 October — Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St Annes 18 October — Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry 19 October — City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds 20 October — Drill Hall, Lincoln 22 October — Saint Luke’s, Glasgow 23 October — Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh 24 October — Epstein Theatre, Liverpool 26 October — Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury 27 October — St George’s, Bristol 28 October — The Apex, Bury St Edmunds 29 October — Cadogan Hall, London Subscribe to Pop: The History Makers for more candid, in-depth conversations with the artists, songwriters and producers who changed popular culture. If you enjoy these independent interviews, you can support the channel using the Super Thanks button beneath the video.

Haddaway created one of the most instantly recognisable songs in pop history. Released in 1993, “What Is Love” became an international phenomenon and one of the defining records of the Eurodance era.But Haddaway’s story is far more complicated than a single worldwide hit.Born in Trinidad, raised in the United States and launched to fame from Germany, Haddaway’s life has crossed countries, cultures and musical traditions. Before success arrived, he studied political science and history, played American football, worked in fashion and made music at night.In this candid interview, Haddaway explains how he fought to retain control of his identity, voice and work—and why he refused an early offer for “What Is Love.” He discusses his creative relationship with producers Tony Hendrik and Karin Hartmann, the intervention of legendary record executive Clive Davis and the personal heartbreak that gave “What Is Love” its emotional power.He also reflects on the extraordinary success of “Life,” “I Miss You” and “Rock My Heart”; the importance of MTV Europe; the sacrifices demanded by international fame; and the unexpected afterlife of “What Is Love” through Saturday Night Live, A Night at the Roxbury, Eminem and Lil Wayne’s “No Love,” and David Guetta’s “Baby Don’t Hurt Me.”More than three decades after first asking the question, Haddaway explains what love means to him now: respect, communication, understanding and space.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction00:59 Life beside Lake Garda01:35 Trinidad, identity and finding somewhere to belong02:58 Learning music through the trumpet03:50 Studying political science and history05:44 Why Haddaway left America for Germany06:44 American football, fashion and surviving in Cologne07:12 The Haddaway name and protecting his identity08:23 Fighting for control of “What Is Love”09:21 Tony Hendrik, creative differences and learning to share10:24 Refusing to imitate Joe Cocker and meeting Clive Davis11:30 The heartbreak inside “What Is Love”12:30 Meeting the woman who inspired the song again13:05 The voice and performance that defined the record14:16 When “What Is Love” became a cultural phenomenon15:13 How worldwide fame changed his life16:19 MTV Europe’s role in Haddaway’s success17:09 Controlling his image, name and rights18:29 What fame gave him—and what it took away19:37 “Life,” “I Miss You” and the Ayrton Senna connection20:39 Escaping the Eurodance label21:02 The early Haddaway song that represents him best21:55 What singing dance music really requires22:45 Saturday Night Live and A Night at the Roxbury24:11 Eminem and Lil Wayne’s “No Love”24:54 David Guetta’s “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”25:38 Being placed in the one-hit-wonder box27:00 “The Sun” and taking complete creative responsibility28:31 Optimism, responsibility and music with meaning30:18 “Lift Your Head Up”30:49 What if “What Is Love” had never succeeded?31:34 The story behind his first name, Nestor32:30 Why “What Is Love” remains a gift33:13 Haddaway answers the question today34:10 Closing thoughtsDiscover more interviews at:https://popthehistorymakers.comIf you liked this interview please consider supporting me by buying me a coffeebuymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakers#Haddaway #WhatIsLove #Eurodance #90sMusic #MTVEurope #ANightAtTheRoxbury #MusicHistory #PopTheHistoryMakers

My guest today is Chris Difford — songwriter, musician and co-founder of Squeeze, one of Britain’s most distinctive and enduring bands.Together with Glenn Tilbrook, Chris created songs that turned everyday life into sharply observed pop: “Cool for Cats,” “Up the Junction,” “Tempted,” “Labelled with Love” and so many more.His lyrics are filled with characters, conversations and small domestic details. They can be funny, uncomfortable, romantic and heartbreaking — sometimes within the same song.But Chris’s story goes far beyond the hits. It is also about friendship, ambition, addiction, recovery, fatherhood and the complicated reality of keeping a creative partnership alive across more than five decades.He has written for other artists, pursued a solo career, published his memoir and helped new songwriters find their own voices.Chris Difford has never been afraid to examine the less polished parts of life — or himself. So today, I want to discover the stories behind those remarkable songs, the experiences that shaped the man who wrote them, and what he has learned from a lifetime spent turning real life into music.If you enjoyed this interview please support me by buying me a coffee here;buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakersSqueeze UK tour dates 2026The following British dates are part of the Tried, Tested and Trixies Tour, with special guest Billy Bragg:12 November — OVO Hydro, Glasgow13 November — Opera House, Blackpool14 November — Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham16 November — O2 City Hall, Newcastle17 November — The Globe, Stockton19 November — Connexin Live, Hull20 November — First Direct Arena, Leeds21 November — M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool23 November — O2 Apollo, Manchester26 November — The O2, London27 November — Cardiff Arena, Cardiff28 November — Utilita Arena, Birmingham30 November — Swansea Arena, Swansea1 December — Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth4 December — BIC, Bournemouth5 December — Brighton Centre, BrightonTickets;https://www.squeezeofficial.com/home/#ChrisDifford #Squeeze #GlennTilbrook #Trixies #UpTheJunction #CoolForCats #Tempted #PullingMussels #LabelledWithLove #BlackCoffeeInBed #TakeMeImYours #AnotherNailInMyHeart #Songwriting #BritishSongwriters #BritishMusic #NewWave #MusicInterview #MusicHistory #BehindTheSongs #PopTheHistoryMakers

After a 21-year hiatus, Gene returned last year to perform three sold-out comeback shows, including a triumphant night performing to 5300 fans at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, where the band’s classic line-up of Martin Rossiter (vocals), Matt James (drums), Steve Mason (guitars) and Kevin Miles (bass) delivered one of the stand-out performances of their career. That performance was captured on the live album, ‘Apollo’, which upon its release in April this year reached Number 1 on the Official Record Store Chart, Number 2 on the Independent Albums Chart, and Number 8 on the Physical Albums Chart. Gene return to London to play two shows at the Roundhouse in Camden on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October, where they will perform a different set each night, before playing their first North American tour in 24 years in November. Tickets for all shows are on sale now, available from https://www.geneofficial.com/live/Gene is the one of the most distinctive British bands to emerge during the 1990s. And Martin Rossiter is the singer, lyricist and unmistakable voice of Gene.Gene’s first single, “For the Dead,” originally reached No. 86 in 1994—but when it was rereleased two years later, it climbed to No. 14, becoming the band’s highest-charting UK single. It formed part of an impressive run that included “Sleep Well Tonight,” “Olympian,” “Fighting Fit,” “We Could Be Kings” and “Where Are They Now?”As Martin says of Gene’s extraordinary trajectory: “We took off like Concorde and landed like the Wright Brothers.”If you enjoy these independent interviews, you can support me here;buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakersAnd check out more at www.popthehistorymakers.comIn this revealing and frequently funny conversation, Martin talks about the formation of Gene, the speed of their success and the pressures that followed. He discusses the stories behind the songs, the comparisons with Morrissey, the hostility and mockery he encountered during the Britpop years, and why the band eventually came to an end.He also speaks candidly about sexuality, depression, fatherhood, becoming a teacher and the very different life he built after Gene. Now, with the band back onstage, Martin reflects on what those songs—and the people who created them—mean to him today.This is Martin Rossiter: honest, provocative, self-deprecating and still entirely himself.