PP Arnold has collaborated with an impressive array of artists, including Tina Turner, the Small Faces, Nick Drake, Dr John, George Harrison, Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, the KLF, and Ocean Colour Scene. When asked who she would love to work with next, she said, “I enjoy collaborating with those who want to work with me. I’ve recently teamed up with Paul Weller and Cast, but many of my dream collaborators are no longer around. On the production side, Quincy Jones is at the top of my list, and vocally, I’d be thrilled to work with Prince. I’ve met Mavis Staples, and it would be amazing to create something together.”
Reflecting on her most memorable collaboration, she declared, “Tina Turner stands out. She launched a career I never anticipated. My journey began when, desperate to escape an abusive marriage, I prayed for help and found myself auditioning at Tina’s home, singing ‘Dancing in the Street.’ I had gone to help others get the gig but ended up making history. My career is a testament to manifesting dreams, though being labeled a ‘legend’ doesn’t pay the bills!”
When discussing her upcoming performance at Glastonbury, she shared, “I’ll be on the Acoustic stage with my incredible band. I’ve trimmed my set to 40 minutes, but it’s going to be unforgettable. In 2022, I performed alongside Diana Ross, and even though Rod Stewart is on at the same time this year, I’m excited.”
Arnold also reminisced about her time as one of the Ikettes with Ike Turner: “The best part was performing nightly with a brilliant band. We toured relentlessly for two years, enduring the chaotic lifestyle. I was young and shy, learning quickly how to navigate that world. Fortunately, I wasn’t one of Ike’s women and could maintain my autonomy.”
In her autobiography, Soul Survivor, she unpacks her past, revealing, “I don’t hold grudges. Losing my daughter was the most devastating experience of my life, but I’ve learned to live in the moment, even amidst industry politics.”
Arnold praises her work with the Small Faces, noting, “Steve Marriott was like a soul brother to me. We clicked musically and personally. I’ve recorded ‘Afterglow,’ a song they initially wrote for me but then decided to keep for themselves. I miss him dearly; he still visits me in dreams.”
She described her sessions with Peter Gabriel for “Sledgehammer” as a fantastic experience, laughing as she recalled, “After a tough time in America, returning to work on the musical Starlight Express and collaborating with Peter was a blessing. We even discovered our shared interest in gravity boots! We used to hang upside down together while exercising.”
Arnold fondly remembers her collaboration with Keith Emerson, revealing how she helped name his band: “They were my backing group when they formed the Nice. I suggested the name, inspired by a Lord Buckley album’s song title, ‘The Nazz,’ which sounded like ‘The Nice’ in my accent. It was a fun idea and we were all young and excited.”
Despite issues with the KLF, who allegedly overlooked her earnings from “3am Eternal,” Arnold chooses to move forward: “I’ve got to let that go, but it’s on their conscience.”
Looking back at her experiences with Andrew Loog Oldham and Immediate Records, she acknowledged, “If it wasn’t for Andrew, I wouldn’t be here. He had a vision for me and pushed me creatively. We were all so young, but unfortunately, drugs affected the direction of the label.”
PP Arnold also reflected on her decision-making behind song covers, mentioning her recent rendition of Paul Weller’s “Shoot the Dove”: “I connect with the lyrics. It resonates with experiences in my life, much like my version of ‘God Only Knows’ as a tribute to Brian Wilson.”
In a charming moment, she responded to a question from a six-year-old fan named Astrid, who asked why she’s such a good singer: “I think it’s because I just love to sing. I’ve been performing since I was four, and it brings me joy to spread happiness through music.”
As she prepares for her Glastonbury performance at 4 PM on Sunday, fans can look forward to her previously unreleased album, The Immediate Sessions, now available on Charly Records, and her single “Soul Mouse” on Spotify.
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