How do you like to have fun?
I love singing and have been since I can remember. When I was 15, I finally become old enough to swap my hair brush for a proper microphone and joined my first band. I’ve performed with all kinds of bands ever since - including a nine piece funk band and even a Spice Girls style girlie group (we were first). My latest project’s called Hustle – so keep an eye on the Wessex FM gig guide and come and see us.
What's the most unconventional thing about you?
It was being in my 30's and owning a Hamster, but he’s now gone to the great wheel in the sky. I would say I must be one of the only women in the world who isn’t really a big fan of chocolate…give me a bag of crisps any day.
What would be a perfect day for you?
Being somewhere by the sea, with great friends, good food and live music.
What's your most memorable moment?
I was in Weymouth Panto one year with Keith Duffey from Boyzone. We happened to be on the same flight back from Dublin and he came over to sit with me. The problem is I am TERRIFIED of flying and I had to try and hold a normal conversation with him for the entire flight, which wasn’t helped by the fact that he insisted on answering his phone while we were taking off!
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Not tell anyone for as long as possible. Help out my family and friends and buy a boat, a huge house in the country, with a swimming pool, room for a pony and a recording studio.
Unplugged Sunday 5 February, 2012
This Sunday Maria's chat's to Graham Twist, the drummer of Led Zepplin Tribute band - Whole Lotta Led who are playing the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis on Saturday 11th February.
Whole Lotta Led
• The UK's ONLY full time professional Led Zeppelin tribute band.
• Approved by Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin’s legendary guitarist.
• The biggest Zep tribute in the UK.
• Recommended as one of the UK’s top tribute bands by ‘Classic Rock’ magazine.
• Have performed over 1,000 shows throughout the UK.
When Led Zeppelin reformed in December 2007 for a special one-off show at London’s O2 Arena they caused a media frenzy, with millions of applications for the 20,000 available tickets.
For a lot of people this may have been the first they had heard of the band, as in their heyday they shunned TV and never released singles. Despite this they became the biggest rock band of the seventies, and quite probably the greatest rock band of all time.
Rumours that the success of their O2 show would tempt them to stage a full tour have been quashed by singer Robert Plant who wishes their legend to remain intact.
Despite disbanding in 1980 after the untimely death of their drummer John Bonham, Led Zeppelin’s reputation and legacy of incredible songs continue to survive and appeal to an ever increasing audience of fans who in the absence of the original will have to make do with the UK's ONLY full time professional Led Zeppelin tribute band, Whole Lotta Led.
From humble beginnings fourteen years ago the Gloucestershire based band have progressed to playing major venues throughout the country, some of which Led Zeppelin themselves actually played.
Whole Lotta Led are no ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ lookalikes, they concentrate on the music which is performed with a collective enthusiasm and dedication that is second to none.
Whole Lotta Led are undoubtedly the hardest working Zep tribute in the UK, and possibly the world, playing over 100 gigs a year to enthusiastic audiences of all ages throughout the UK.
The current line up has been together for ten years now and consists of Nick Ferris on guitar, Geoff Hunt on bass, Graham Twist on drums and Lee Addison on vocals & harmonica. In 2009 the band celebrated their 1,000th gig.
Their shows consist of songs from the entire Zeppelin back catalogue including the all time classics ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and of course ‘Stairway To Heaven’, the band also regularly include a selection of Led Zeppelin’s acoustic numbers in their shows.
Given the thumbs-up by no less a guitar god than Jimmy Page himself, Whole Lotta led are THE Led Zeppelin tribute band.
The band are now regularly selling out venues so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment!
Further information about the band can be found on their website www.wholelottaled.co.uk
Missed an interview on Unplugged?
Every week Maria chats to a band or musician.
Here you can listen again to previous guests who've been on the show.
Gwen Dickey's Rose Royce
On Saturday 3rd December Gwen Dickey's Rose Royce play Weymouth Pavilion.
Listen to Maria's full interview with Gwen here.
Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, USA, Gwen is now UK resident due to her enormous success in both the UK and Europe, where she regularly features in both club and television engagements.
Gwen Dickey, the voice of Rose Royce, on all the hit records made famous by this international group. No-one can forget the classic hits of the 70s, such as “Car Wash”, “Wishing On A Star”, “Love Don’t Live Here Any More”, “Do Your Dance”, “Is It Love You’re After”, “I’m In Love” (And I Love The Feeling) and “I Wanna Get Next To You”.
Gwen Dickey embarked on a solo career and she enjoyed her first chart success when she joined forces with KWS on Chakka Khan’s classic hit “Ain’t Nobody” in 1994.
In 1998 Gwen teamed up with international rap artiste Jay Z for a brand new version of the Rose Royce hit “Wishing On A Star”. Gwen’s new vocals sounded just as great as ever and after picking up extensive air play on Radio 1 and all the independent stations, the record entered the UK Charts first week at No. 13, giving Gwen her first solo Top Ten hit.
They had a number one hit with "Things Can Only Get Better". Here's what happened will Maria caught up with Al MacKenzie from D:Ream.
Level 42 played Weymouth Pavilion on Friday 19th August, you can hear Maria's full interview with Mark King here.
He started Free and Bad Company and most recently fronted Queen.
You can listen here to Maria's chat with Paul Rodgers.
He was a founding member of Genesis and Mike and The Mechanics.
Here's Maria's full interview with Mike Rutherford.
In a band? Want some airplay? Need some exposure? Get on the show - email Maria with a short Mp3 and all your details.
Send us an email to - unplugged@wessexfm.com
This year's initial line up for Camp Bestival al Lulworth Castle has been revealed to Wessex FM.
CAMP BESTIVAL 2012
Friday Night Headliners:
Hot Chip
Camp Bestival's Saturday Night Fever with:
Kool & The Gang / Chic featuring Nile Rodgers /
Earth Wind & Fire Experience featuring Al McKay
Festival Exclusives:
Mr Tumble / Silly Olympics with Lost & Found / Shrek the Musical / Fantastic Mr Fox /
The Bopps / English National Ballet / Kid Carpet and the Noisy Animals /
Camp Bestival Panto / Roundhouse Street Variety Show / Truth About Youth
Even More Amazing Live Performances:
Jimmy Cliff / Rizzle Kicks / Adam Ant & The Good The Mad and The Lovely Posse / Little Dragon / The Gruffalo / Bellowhead / Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs /
The Cuban Brothers / Breakfast With Henry (Henry Rollins Spoken Word) Deliliah / Spector / Lianne La Havas / Stooshe / P Money / Youngman / Jaipur Kawa Brass Band / Dub Pistols /
DJ Yoda & The Transiberian Marching Band / Jaipur Kawa Circus /
Clement Marfo & The Frontline / Scroobius Pip / Random Impulse / Frankie Rose / Liz Green /
3 Bonzos and a Piano / Prince Fatty / We Were Evergreen / 2:54 / Gabrielle Aplin /
Pearl And The Beard / Blues Brothers UK / Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo /
The Moonflowers / Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer / Duke special / This Is The Kit /
Folk Idol presents The Folk Olympics
Showtime!
Gruffalo / Wall of Death / Stefan Gates The Gastronaut / Wookey Hole Circus /
Square Peg Circus / Howard Marks Kids Stories / Being 747 / Morris Dancing
DJ Sets From:
David Rodigan MBE presents RAM JAM / Jaguar Skills & His Amazing Friends / Warm & Electric Minds / The Japanese Popstars / Camo & Krooked / Greg Wilson / Zed Bias / Shellac Collective / Mosca / Ben UFO / Stopmakingme / Balearic Brothers
Plus:
Soul Bird Gardens Healing Area / Rob da Bank Youth Club / Big Love Inflatable Church / The Secret Emporium
