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Take time out and find some inspiration
Be Fabulous meets… Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight MBE grew up less than ten miles away from me, and I’m happy to report that despite having met the Queen, picked up three MOBO awards, been made a Doctor of Music by Wolverhampton University, and toured with Take That, she is every bit as down-to-earth as the average woman on the street.
The soul singer, who was awarded the MBE in 2007 due to her charitable work for Christian Aid, the Stop AIDS Campaign and the Terence Higgins Trust, was presented with an accolade by the people in the West Midlands this month – an engraved star on Birmingham’s Walk Of Fame, which pays tribute to stars from the entertainment world heralding from the heart of England. And despite the media scrum and the autograph hunters at the city’s Symphony Hall, Beverley actually rang me up so I could interview her because I was too poorly to see her receive her star. That’s staying true to your roots.
Little girls all over the world dream of being famous singers. Did you harbour a secret desire to be a singer when you were little too, or did the dream come later in life?
It wasn’t such a secret desire; I told everyone and anyone I was going to be a famous singer. From an early age I was so passionate about music, I was consumed by it. I was so determined, I don’t think anyone was that surprised when I finally did it.
What would you say to those little (some not so little!) girls singing into their hairbrushes today?
Follow your heart. If you have a talent, then you have what it takes to make your dreams come true. Nine times out of ten it is fear that prevents us pursuing our dreams; fear of failure, fear of not being taken seriously, fear of singing to an audience. The Fear is a very powerful thing and a huge barrier, but you owe it to yourself to overcome it because if you don’t try, how on earth will you ever know if you would have succeeded? It’s so important to aim high and go for what you want to do – I don’t want to get old and look back and wish I’d followed my dreams.
What do you think of programmes like the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent? Do you think they trivialise the dedication that shown to get where you are?
I think there is a place for those programmes. People can be forgiven for thinking that being a performer is all about looking good; but it’s not enough to forge a long-lasting career – that’s about having talent. You need a big talent and a thick skin – you see that by some of the reactions when people are turned down. My advice to anyone who is serious about a career in music is to perform live, as much as you can. Sing in front of different people so you can get their opinions and see their reactions. I think it’s unlikely that a lot of the singers who win these shows have the longevity to have an enduring career, but they know that. They know they’ll be styled by someone else and sing what someone else tells them to, but they are living their dream, and that is wonderful for them.
Who do you think has that longevity, that talent to forge an enduring musical career?
I always said, from the moment I first heard her, that if she didn’t have a melt-down, Amy Winehouse would have the longevity and the talent to become a massive icon. She did have that melt-down and I don’t know if she’ll come back from it the way people would like her to. Dizzee Rascal – he’s another who I believe will really stay the distance. I can say this because I’ve met him. He was driven and sensible enough to make the music he wanted to and make it accessible. He got his brand of rap music out there and he plays live – that will secure him a long-lasting career.
You inspire a raft of would-be soulstresses. Who inspires you?
My mum. She always has. She’s the most incredible, gracious and tenacious woman. She came over to England in the ‘60s and she had no idea what path her life was going to take. She didn’t know she was going to have children, or that one of them would grow up to be a singer, and be given her own star by the area she lived in. She didn’t know any of it but she motivated and inspired us all. I have a very special brother and sister too, and my whole extended family is wonderful. My family are crucial to my success, I owe so much to them.
It must be quite a surreal experience to be called and told that the people of the West Midlands think you’re so great that they want to see you given an accolade?
I was so honoured! Everyone knows I am from the Midlands and I always love coming back because it’s home and I know the people here always give me an amazing reception, but to be told that I was going to be given my own star on Broad Street was just fantastic. I’ve had such a lovely experience being awarded with it, it’s so good to see the well-wishers and see how many people care enough to come and see it happen. It’s an incredible feeling.
You’ve obviously experienced a huge amount in your career and become a real role model due to the support you’ve thrown behind so many causes. Is there any one occasion that stands out beyond all others that made you think ‘THAT was worth it. If it all ended tomorrow, it won’t get any better than this’?
Yes; when I met and sang for Nelson Mandella. That was something beyond anything I’d ever imagined. I remember being there and thinking: ‘This is about more than music.’ I was meeting, to me, the most incredible man imaginable. This man changed the world. When you talk about your Inspire pages and meeting inspirational people, let me tell you, it doesn’t get more inspiring than Nelson Mandella!
Beverley’s new single “Soul Survivor”:Soul Survivor (Ft. Chaka Khan)
is out now.
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Name: Faith Brotherston
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