Interview with Jeffrey Patterson from 7th Heaven, 80s chart topping British band
7th Heaven was a eighties British band (not to be confused with the modern Euro group) that released joyous and happy singles. Their first HIT single Hot Fun was a classic summer song with a nice horns arrangements and vocals to match.
DISCOGS 7th Heaven
DISCOGS The 3 Jays Feeling it Too
DISCOGS Jeffrey Patterson
Jeffrey Featuring on the Xfactor 2008 Website
London Guru: It’s been over 20 years since you released your first hit song Hot Fun. In what ways has your music grown or changed in that time?
After 20yrs.... I have learnt to focus on what is current and try to fit in, somehow with my own flavor added... doing something that doesn't sell is all well and good, but you still have to pay the rent so it is a balance and a hard one too!
7th Heaven - Hot Fun (1985)
London Guru: When Hot Fun became a hit, what was that feeling like? How did you celebrate?
That was the best day of my life, hearing my song on radio and through neighbor’s windows was so special! I think I had a few beers that night with the band to celebrate...
7th Heaven on Soul Train
London Guru: What was it like performing on the legendary Soul Train and Top of the Pops?
Soul Train was great show was presented by Jeffrey Daniels from the band Shalamar a band I liked, Soul Train gave us great exposure and connected us with the soul scene. When I did top of the pops with THE 3 JAYS, that was another great moment in my life, a show I have always wanted to be on and finally got there...
The 3 Jays Feeling it Too
London Guru: When did you start your music career
I started off my music career,in a band called monkey business, which was a reggae band in a similar vain to UB40 early 80's.
London Guru: When did you get your first big break
It was when I formed the band 7th heaven releasing our first hit single HOT FUN around 1985 which charted and set us up to tour with bands such as SOS band and Kool and The Gang, Womack And Womack and got on to all major music TV shows.
London Guru: What side of the music industry don’t you like and why?
The politics behind the scenes. Due to music business politics the band 7th Heaven folded, so I took time out and became a session singer for the likes of Barry Manilow And Boy George,George Michael And Amos.
London Guru: Bands like Duran Duran have stood the test of time and Spandau Ballet reformed in the noughties. Is there any way to put into words the mystique of '80s music? Other than nostalgia, what factors drive its continuing popularity?
The 80's were great, because the synthesizer was introduced to music which made it more experimental, the mix of rock, soul, electro together with men dressing a little bit more feminine, and more fashion conscious.
London Guru: What did you expect to happen when MTV launched, and how did it differ from what actually happened?
I felt that MTV did not cater for the talent on the street, it only pushed songs that they were paid to play at the time, controlled by the man in the suit...It was only good in terms of showing the bands visual presentation, which in turn helped them reach a bigger audience...
London Guru: What look, image or artwork do you think defined the decade?
For some reason all I can see is an image of George Clinton dressed in his funky outfits and all those bright colors...
London Guru: Who is your favorite 80s musician?
hard one! I have always loved stevie wonder thru all the decades, and prince both are seriously talented, but there were loads more...
London Guru: What is your favorite memory of 80s music?
It has to be releasing my first record hot fun...
London Guru: Tell us about working with Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey?
After working as a session singer, I joined a band called “Ice” which included Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey and Cas from Skunk Anansie.
London Guru: You also toured in Japan which was quite lucrative at the time? I am sure our readers would be fascinated to know more...
I sang for Japanese artiste called Hotei and toured japan for few years, and worked with many others along the way. www.japan-zone.com/modern/hotei_tomoyasu.shtml
London Guru: Did you manage to successfully transcend into the 90s as the style of music evolved?
In the 90's I hooked up with Ben Langmaid now with La Roux and we started a dance act called HUFFf and HERB and we had a hit with NINA SIMONE'S track FEELING GOOD which got in the top 40 charts. Other tracks included UP ON THE BLUE with me singing the vocals.
Towards the end of the 90's I got together with JAMIE WHITE and JIM LEE and created another dance act called THE 3JAYS we got to number 17 in the charts with a song called FEELING IT TOO and did my first TOP OF THE POPS performance.
London Guru: Are you a songwriter as well?
After all the politics getting in the way I decided to write for other artistes and started writing with HARRY COLLIER and BEN LANGMAID for a couple of years and formed a band called KUBB which was in a rock indie style. The band went on to have chart success with tracks, GROW, REMAIN AND WICKED SOUL and we managed gold sale's status the band ended up folding after first album and you can guess why,
During this time I also wrote and sang an album with JAMIE WHITE from THE 3JAYS I used the name JAH WAGGIE which was in a reggae pop ragga style which did well in Europe. The track was a QUEEN cover called ANOTHER GAL BITES THE DUST (another one bites the dust). Due to politics again it could not break it in the UK, so again I went back to doing sessions for other acts and some lead vocals for MIKE COGLIN DJ/producer on some dance tracks.
London Guru: Tell us about when you first met La Roux?
After the session singing, I got back to writing with Ben Langmaid from LA ROUX, we auditioned a young 17 year old called ELLE JACKSON now KNOWN AS LA ROUX and I co-wrote a song called GROWING PAINS but due to ending up in hospital could not continue with project at the time, which was such a shame as she has done so well.
London Guru: What have you been up to more recently?
having a good writing and producing partnership with BEN LANGMAID we started writing an album for a girl duo called WAR OF WORDS and hopefully they will be releasing new single in 2012 also we have written a song with KELIS for them too..
London Guru: What’s your final word on your journey in the music industry?
as you can see its been a long and winding road,but the story is not other yet...I hope that helps and inspires others in terms of my journey......... thanks...
Also join the group, UK FUTURE MUSIC AND HISTORY lets hear your story!...... www.facebook.com/yilesanmi#!/groups/269387313105329/
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