NUMBER ONE, 3 MAY 1989

THE WORLD GOES BANANAS

You started your tour on March 21 in Boston. What was the first
night like?

Very Nervous. I was definitely a bit shakey. Everyone was running around backstage trying to keep busy and trying to keep their minds off any worries. The show starts with 'Nathan Jones' which was fine, but when we did 'Mr. Sleaze' I came in three bars too early which rather threw the band! Oh and ten minutes later I fell over a light near the front of the stage... completely arse over tit... and nearly ended up in the audience.

Have you forgotten the song words at all?

I always forget bits. I've, er, added my own special touches when in doubt. I like to value for money!

How are Sarah and Keren enjoying it?

Fine. Keren's little boy Thomas has just come out to Tokyo with his nanny, though I haven't seen him yet.

What's been your favourite place so far?

Australia. It's the best place in the world. I'd love to come back again for a holiday. The scenery's really beautiful and it's so hot. Best of all there's clubs that open at nine in the morning so you can go out and then walk along the beach.

Did you find the men friendly?

Yes thank you. And I snogged a scouser!

Is it true that Siobhan sent you flowers when you played in New York?

Yes, she wished me good luck and sent me roses. She came to the show with thingy. You know... her husband ...

Have any famous folk been shaking the Bananarama paw?

Hardly any actually. Al Pacino and Racquel Welsh came to the show but by the time we'd been introduced to all the record company people backstage, they'd scarpered. Oh, I met Peter O'Toole in Los Angeles. He was holding a baby which he offered to me but I said 'not now, I'm busy!'

Was he well oiled?

Maybe. He looked like a dog had chewed his head. We also saw Bruce Springsteen but he didn't really say hello. He just hid under his hat and sunglasses. They all seemed to do that in L.A. We would have also gone to Julian Lennon's party but we were too drunk and couldn't find it. We almost got into someone's barmitzvah though!

What refreshments are there in the dressing room?

Compulsory vodka. Some beer. Some wine. Cranberry juice... that's a current favourite but we can't get it everywhere. Not much food. No fatted calves. Just a few dips. Best not to eat too much before you go on. Oh, and a bottle of oxygen as I nearly fainted when we played in Denver. I think it was the altitude. I was in the middle of the dance routine for 'I Can't Help It' and I suddenly couldn't lift my arms. It was quite scary. I had to leave the stage for a minute.

Has anymore happened about you doing a song with Prince?

Nowt. I dunno what happened. He was meant to come to the shows a couple of times but he never turned up. He was in the studio working on the Batman movie soundtrack.

What gifts are thrown at you onstage?

A few things. Tampax, bangles, three teddies tied together. The odd thing has hit me but not very hard. Some boys have thrown their pants on. And bananas. You get a lot of bananas flying towards you. Sadly no money.

What pressies have you received in Tokyo?

Well, we've only just got here but I got a bottle of Sake and a Casio World-Time watch which was great 'cos my other one had just broken, and some flowers.

What are you missing about old London Town?

My wonderful friends. That's all. The clubs seem to be pretty good everywhere in the world. I've covered 'em! I go out with the people in charge of my wardrobe, Mel and Jeffrey.

Would you say you're nicely suntanned or just haggard old cronies?

I'm slightly suntanned. And half haggard. I'll speak for Sarah and Keren and say they're three quarters haggard!

Anyone lost their voice at all?

At the very beginning of the tour a bit. My voice very croaky in New York but as it's gone on all our voices have gotten stronger.

Are you reading any good books?

I've bought 'On The Road' again by Jack Kerovac and 'Witches' by Roald Dahl, which my friend Polly Strettell recommended.

Have you bought any nice clobber?

Yes, actually. Yesterday I went out and bought a nice Commes De Garcons shirt, some shoes, what Sarah and Keren call Timberland's 'cos they're like woodchopper's shoes, and a hat. I've bought quite a few hats on the way but I keep losing them in nightclubs.

What's the highlight of the set for you?

I like doing 'Venus' 'cos the audience goes really mental. 'Once In A Lifetime' 'cos it's slow and I can have a breather, and the encore Bon Jovi's 'You Give Love A Bad Name' 'cos we can go berserk. They liked that in America.

Are you pleased to be playing Wembley Arena?

I've got mixed emotions really. I'm looking forward to it 'cos my friends'll come but I'm also really scared. It's a bit weird.

Do Bananarama have groupies?

Yes, indeed. Some followed us from America to Australia. They came up and introduced themselves at a party we had in L.A. What do they look like? One was tall, one blonde and one dark haired, something for everyone really.