Band to perform on the Ocean City Music Pier July 29
By Steffen Klenk
The band 10cc is considered to be one of the most influential bands in the history of rock music.
Founded in 1972, the group has spawned multiple chart-topping hits, including “I’m Not in Love,” “Dreadlock Holiday,” “Good Morning Judge,” and “The Things We Do for Love.” Their unique sound and style have earned worldwide acclaim, with more than 30 million albums sold around the globe. 10cc has achieved immense success and lasting appeal to audiences across the globe.
This month, the UK group returns to the States for the first time in 30 years with a cross-country, 20-date Ultimate, Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour. Joined by founder and renowned songwriter Graham Gouldman, the tour brings an array of hits from 10cc’s catalog, along with rarities and album tracks, and new music from Gouldman himself.
In a recent interview with Shore Local, Gouldman spoke about the band’s most memorable shows, modern-day successes, and his experiences as a songwriter.
Shore Local: This is your first tour with 10cc in the States in quite some time, aside from playing in New York City a little over 10 years ago. What took so long?
Gouldman: It’s been a while since our last tour, not since 1978. We’ve been waiting to do this for a long time, and we have somebody in the States who’s keen to have us over. We’re really looking forward to it.
Shore Local: What has been the most memorable show you have performed?
Gouldman: We played at the Royal Albert Hall last March. That was kind of special because not only is the Royal Albert Hall a brilliant gig to play, and it has a very special vibe to it, but Kevin Godley, (original drummer for 10cc), joined us on stage to sing two songs and play drums on one song as well. So it made for a really special night. And the Hall has a lot of history. It’s one of those places you feel it as you walk in.
Shore Local: Looking back at all the songs you have written in your catalog, what has been one of the most interesting or favorite songs to write?
Gouldman: That’s a big question. I was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014, and if you’re a writer or performer, they ask you to play a song. So I sang “Bus Stop,” because that’s one of my favorite songs that I’ve written. But I love them all, otherwise I wouldn’t have written them. They’re all my babies, and my co-babies.
Shore Local: Did you ever think early on, when you were beginning to write, that these songs would end up having the success that they’ve had?
Gouldman: I don’t think you ever think that. You write songs because you have to write them or you want to write them. You need to express something and get them out there. If other people like them, that’s brilliant. It’s the same with playing. I love to play with other musicians, and if I was to have a regular job, I think I’d still be in a band playing down the pub on a Saturday night, because I just love to do it.
Shore Local: Are there any bands or artists that you have enjoyed working with or playing on stage during your career?
Gouldman: I was on stage with Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band in 2018, and I absolutely loved that because Ringo was great and so are The Beatles. I wouldn’t be talking to you if it wasn’t for The Beatles. I also met Steven Lukather (Toto), Gregg Rolie (Santana/Journey), and Colin Hay (Men at Work) during the show. They are just great musicians and people I’ve been in touch with.
Shore Local: When “I’m Not in Love” was first released, did you expect that it would chart and become a worldwide phenomenon?
Gouldman: We knew it was something special, but none of us thought about it having any commercial success. We were just very proud of it, and it was only when we started playing it to our family and friends and the record company that everyone said that would be a massive hit.
Shore Local: That song has also appeared on the “Guardians of the Galaxy” soundtrack. Do you think it has attracted younger audiences?
Gouldman: Definitely. That was a big deal, and I noticed that now, in our audience, we span three generations, which is brilliant.
Shore Local: It’s amazing how your music has spanned multiple generations and is giving new audiences something so memorable.
Gouldman: And that’s what we want to do. We love playing. It’s kind of an honor to be able to do it and be able to do something that you love and brings pleasure to other people. It’s a win win.
Shore Local: What can audiences expect for this upcoming tour?
Gouldman: You’re going to get all the hits that we’ve had around the world. I think our diehard fans will know all the songs, and others might not, but we hope they enjoy them as well. We’ve got various album tracks that we do, and I also play one new song that I recorded with Brian May. The songs of 10cc don’t have style to them. It’s not like country music, hip-hop, or rock. It’s so diverse.
Shore Local: I think we should come up with a new genre called 10cc music.
Gouldman: That’s exactly what I say. We’ve treated every song as if we’re like a different band. We’ve had four singers in the band, and in the UK, we had three No.1 hits with three different singers. That shows you that whoever was best for the job got the job.
Led by Graham on bass, guitar, and vocals, the band’s lineup will feature Rick Fenn on lead guitar, bass, and vocals; Paul Burgess on drums, percussion, and keyboard; Iain Hornall on guitar, percussion, mandolin, vocals, and keyboard; and Keith Hayman on the keyboard, guitar, bass, and vocals.
10cc will appear on the Ocean City Music Pier 7 p.m. Monday, July 29. Great seats are still available, along with VIP packages, by visiting www.etix.com.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
