I Never Thought It Would Happen

Joining Chris in this podcast is one of Britain’s greatest and most unique singer-songwriters, Joan Armatrading, who’s also a skilled guitarist with a spine-tingling voice. She released her first album in 1972 and since then she’s proven to be a fearless pioneer and pursued her musical muse with a single-minded determination, retaining total control of her music from writing to recording to performing.
In this episode Joan discusses her parents' curious relationship with musical instruments, her determined desire to learn how to play and record music and whether song-writing can be a form of therapy.

To kick off series three of I Never Thought It Would Happen, Chris Difford is joined by Kelly Jones, singer, songwriter and guitarist for Welsh stadium rockers Stereophonics. The band released their debut album in 1997 and experienced a meteoric rise to fame, subsequently enjoying 8 back to back number one albums in the UK, putting them in the same league as Oasis, REM and Taylor Swift.
In this conversation Chris and Kelly cover the highs and lows of life in a band; from growing up in a musical household, appearing on Top Of The Pops to the tragic early death of drummer Stuart Cable, a childhood friend of Kelly's and a founding member of Stereophonics. And bringing things up to date, the pair talk enthusiastically about Kelly's new side project, Far From Saints.

Standby as series 3 of I Never Thought It Would Happen with Chris Difford and Help Musicians returns soon with a fantastic lineup of guests.

Alongside Chris this week for a chat about the fine art of song writing and music making is the legendary Don McLean. Having learned guitar as a boy, inspired as much by The Weavers as The Beatles, he honed his craft in the burgeoning New York folk clubs. In 1970 he released his debut album, "Tapestry", but it was his surprise hit single "American Pie" a year later that has ensured Don's place in music history and has underpinned his 50+ years of music making.

For this episode, Chris welcomes Sir Tim Rice for a chat. With his musical partner, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim changed musical theatre for ever, writing a clutch of timeless, hit shows, including Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Chess and The Lion King. He's also collaborated with Freddie Mercury, Elton John plus Benny and Bjorn of Abba. Tim Rice is also one of a select number of people who are EGOTs - those that have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award. Amazing.

Alongside Chris in this episode is the fast-rising singer-songwriter Lola Young. Hailing from South London, she started writing songs aged 11 and was attending open-mic nights from 13 and has been working on her craft since then. Lola chats about being taught philosophy at primary school, attending the famous Brit School and how that nurtured her artistic gifts, how her music tastes have evolved as she's grown older and what album she'd take to the moon.

Ace singer, songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson is alongside Chris this episode to discuss the fine art of songwriting and making music. From his first album in 1968, aged 19, with Fairport Convention, then through 6 decades of a solo career, Richard's music making has always been fascinating, adventurous and critically acclaimed. From the first record he owned to playing festivals to the locations that inspire him to write, this is an insightful, inspiring episode.

Joining Chris for a chat this time is the new, fast rising London act Kawala, formed around the long-standing friendship of Jim and Daniel who met at University and who've recently released their debut album. Much loved by a fervent fanbase, radio - and even Sam Smith - theirs is a positive, inspiring story for any budding musician.

With Chris for another illuminating insight into the fine art of songwriting is Nick Lowe. Nick is an artist with an incredible decade-spanning career, and in this episode he recounts his start with the much maligned (but influential) Brinsley Schwarz, his time as the in-house producer for Stiff Records, his work with Elvis Costello, the short lived supergroup Little Village with Ry Cooder. And, of course, there's his own fantastic solo career.

Joining Chris for this episode is the very charming English/Italian singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti. In this thoughtful, insightful conversation Jack talks about catching Bob Dylan live, the impact of the Forrest Gump soundtrack and his experiences working with both Kyle Minogue and Nile Rodgers.