AGENT to
the stars Carl Leighton-Pope has spent his entire career working alongside the
biggest names in the music business.
Now the
68-year-old is bringing a ‘60s sensation of a show — Carnaby Street: The
Concert — to the Albert Halls, Bolton, on Sunday, featuring much-loved and
iconic music from the era of The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, The
Kinks and The Searchers.
Carl,
who currently represents global stars including Michael Bublé and Bryan Adams,
started his career working at the famous Marquee Club in London’s Carnaby
Street.
In his
first week alone, the club’s stage was graced by blues singer Long John Baldry,
Rod Stewart, The Who, The Moody Blues and The Yardbirds, which featured Eric
Clapton.
Carl
said: “In 1964, I got a job there.
“I
worked in the club for a couple of years.
“Nobody
was famous in those days. Nobody knew who Rod Stewart was. They were just in
groups, playing in the club. Mick Jagger would come in, Paul McCartney would
come and watch a band. No-one had mobile phones, nobody was taking pictures of
anybody.
“When
I’m out with Michael Bublé and Bryan Adams and you are walking down the street,
the phones are out.”
One of
the original mods, Carl’s life revolved around music and the club while Carnaby
Street was a breeding ground for some of the most iconic music of the last
century, as well as leading the world in fashion and culture.
He said:
“I was a mod, I had a scooter, I fought on the beaches, I did all that stuff —
all that mad stuff people did in the ‘60s.
“It was
quite interesting that something happened after the war. My dad and my granddad
looked like twins and I came along with my winklepicker shoes and drainpipe
jeans — he thought I was a zombie from out of space. My dad thought jeans were
working clothes.
“Now, my
kids look like me. We wear sneakers and jeans and T-shirts.
“Something
that changed, that revolution that took place in the ‘60s. That’s why I think
the most important 10 years in the 20th century was the ‘60s because it changed
dramatically.
“The
music was the key, the music gave you clothes, gave you clubs, gave you the
girl and your mates.
“Music
was the key and the centre of your life. It was way more important than music
is to my children now.”
Carnaby
Street: The Concert recreates the Marquee Club and features a seven-piece band
playing hits of the decade including You Really Got Me, I Only Wanna Be With
You, Mustang Sally, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, My Generation and You Don’t
Have To Say You Love Me.
Carl
said: “It’s fabulous, so much fun.
“The
great thing about this music, I think a lot of young people know the songs.
“They
see them on TV ads and on films.
“It’s
really feel-good music, you want to get on your feet and dance and sing.
“It was
a great era. Paul McCartney is still singing, The Rolling Stones are still
playing. It’s quite extraordinary.
“I think
what we’re trying to say to the audience is come on back with us.
“I know
it’s 2014, I know there’s a recession and we’ve got problems, there’s doom and
gloom in the newspapers but just for a couple of hours, let’s go back to the
‘60s. Forget all our troubles and cares and go downtown and have a bit of fun.”
Carnaby
Street: The Concert is at the Albert Halls, Bolton, on Sunday. Phone 01204
334400 for tickets.
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