THEN & NOW: Kiki Dee

A song recorded by Kiki Dee nearly ten years ago, has suddenly found a big following, thanks in part to her latest tour she is conducting that takes in both sides of the Atlantic. “Sidesteppin’ (With A Soulman)” was originally performed back in 2013 with English born Italian musician Carmelo Luggeri and featured on her album “A Place Where I Can Go”.

It heralds a return for the artist born Pauline Matthews, who has been a contant since landing her first chart hit, “Amoureuse”, back in 1973. Kiki hit the big time three years later when she joined Elton John on their transatlantic chart topping smash, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”. She entered the 1980’s with “Star”, another chart hit and later used as the theme music to Bob Monkhouse’s Opportunity Knocks series in the mid-80’s.

Kiki and Elton regrouped in 1993 for their version of Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly’s “True Love”, which they took to No.2 in the UK, higher than the original achieved in 1956. Kiki is currently on tour with Carmelo, who has worked with the likes of Bob Dylan and Julian Lennon, so if you’re a fan, make sure you catch a glimpse of her in her element and reflecting on 50 years in the business.

Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri are on tour across the UK this Spring