Music Talks

Episode 82 - Ian Wright - Readers Wavs

Terry Smith Season 5 Episode 1

My guest in this episode is renowned UK illustrator Ian Wright. 

His work as a commercial illustrator has spanned four decades, starting with his illustrative cover of The Undertones’ Teenage Kicks 7” single in the late 1970s, progressing with his illustrative artwork in The Face magazine in their 1980s heyday and his famous weekly black and white portraits for the New Musical Express (NME).

Ian’s subsequent work has involved collaboration with many famous names and brands including Issy Miyake, Givenchy and portraits of Sun Ra, Motorhead and Grandmaster Flash. 

In a delightfully wide-ranging chat, in both musical choices and subject matter, amongst other things we talk about: 

·        Ian’s love of Radio, initially inspired by his dad ‘streaming’ Radio Luxembourg into his bedroom on a Friday night 

·        The life-changing impact of Hendrix’s appearance on the Happening for Lulu         show in January 1969 

·        The influence of Bob Harris and John Peel

·        Developing a passion for Reggae in the 70’s that continues to this day 

·        What is was like working on NME & The Face in the 80’s 

·        Pete Townsend making him a coffee (Ian doesn’t drink coffee) 

·        Moving to New York in the 00's & working to a soundtrack of the (then unreleased) Beatles Remasters 

·        Coming full circle and in March last year getting his own Radio show on Charlie Bones Do!! You!! Radio (https://doyouworld/

Ian’s song choices are appropriately wide ranging and were: 

50’s      Summertime                             Ella Fitzgerald. Louis Armstrong       

60’s      If 6 Was 9                                    The Jimi Hendrix Experience

70’s      Dub With A Difference       Harry Mudie 

80’s      Kalimankou Denkou              The Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir

90’s      All Is Full Of Love                      Bjork

00’s      King In My Empire                    Rhythm & Sound

10’s      Rock The Machine                    Lisa O’Neill 

20’s      Time Is Precious                         SAULT             

If you would like to be on the show then please contact me at musictalkspod@outlook.com

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