Edwyn Collins

Losing Sleep tour

Edwyn Collins' new album 'Losing Sleep' is released in September and he is taking it on tour in November.

Tickets for Edwyn Collins' Manchester show at The Deaf Institute are on sale from 9:00am on Friday 30th July with other dates on sale soon after.

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- by our Roving Reporter Jon Mack           19/9/09

Edwyn has very kindly made the time to meet our roving reporter and we've brought you an exclusive interview and insight into the man behind the legend.

On Sunday, February 20, 2005, Edwyn was admitted to hospital after collapsing at home. He was later diagnosed with having suffered two cerebral haemorrhages and underwent a precarious neurological operation. Incredibly, through a combination of surgical brilliance, the heroic support of his family and his own seemingly invincible will power, Edwyn pulled through. Six months after his stroke, he was back at home. But more phenomenal still was his determination to overcome the physical after-effects hindering his movement and speech so he could return to the studio and finish the album he'd already begun.

The result was Home Again, a testament not only to Edwyn Collins the  songwriter, but Edwyn the man and his resolute spirit. "This is hard for me," admits Edwyn. "I'm learning to live again after my stroke. But I am happy and contented also. I'm pleased with the album. I'm getting there and I feel grateful at last."

Since the release of Home Again, Edwyn has continued to renew himself, one step at a time. In November 2007, he took to the stage again, having painstakingly relearned the lyrics to his songs.

In July 2009, Grace Maxwell's book, "Falling and Laughing", the story of their life together and of Edwyn's restoration to health and to his life in music, was a summer bookshop hit. "I'm interesting, you see," is Edwyn's explanation. "Oh, and Grace is a damn good writer". He goes on to answer:

JM       "How has your music changed since your illness?"

EC        "Well, I can't play guitar any more. I can form the chord shapes, but need someone to strum for me. But I almost lost everything, so the fact that I can sing is enough for me. I appreciate playing live more than ever".

JM     "What was the inspiration behind the tour?"

EC        "It began with an invitation to tour the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. I was planning this before my illness in 2005. So in some ways, I'm picking up where I left off".

JM       "Can you introduce your band members?"

EC        "Dave Ruffy  on drums, Andy Hackett and Barrie Cadogan on guitars, Carwyn Ellis on bass guitar Sean Read on keyboards and saxophone, Seb Lewsley on sound".

JM        "'A girl like you' was famously played in the coffee shop in neighbours regularly. For Neighbours fans of all ages; is there an exciting story behind how this came to be an unofficial anthem in the long running soap?"

EC        "Nope, nothing to do with me".

JM       "What and were was your favourite gig?"

EC        "I have memories of so many gigs, but my recent shows are very precious. My audiences are welcoming me back. My first show when I returned from illness, at the BBC Electric Proms, was scary but wonderful. Shepherds Bush Empire, ABC 1 in Glasgow, Belladrum Festival in Inverness, all of them. I love performing, it's everything to me now".

JM       "What is your worst gigging experience?"

EC        "In Washington DC it looked as if there were going to be 10 people at my show. We considered pulling it, but my guitarist Andy put his foot down. "The show must go on, as long as there is one paying customer!" We ended up having a great night. and a few more than ten turned up". 

JM       "You've been a performing for over 30 years under a number of different guises very successfully. What else would you like to achieve, musically, personally and professionally?"

EC        "I just want to continue to work. To record, to get on stage, to work with other musicians. I'm not so ambitious for success, I'm knocking on a bit now. I turned 50 the other week!  But ideas for songs have come back to me, when I thought they had deserted me for good. So I'm a creative man again. I'm content".

We're delighted that Edwyn is working again, we wish him all the very best in his continued recovery and we're really looking forward to seeing him onstage soon.