I Never Thought It Would Happen Chris Difford

Joining Chris today is songwriter Guy Chambers, best known for his work co-writing hits like 'Millennium', 'Angels', 'Let Me Entertain You' and 'Rock DJ' with Robbie Williams. 

Having graduated from The Guildhall School Of Music, Guy went straight to work with Julian Cope, then joined The Waterboys before moving onto World Party. And alongside his hugely successful run of hits with Robbie, Guy has also written for and with James Blunt, Texas, Mel C, Diana Ross, Kylie, Rufus Wainright, Jamie Cullum and Katie Melua. His track record has made him one of Britain's most successful and in-demand songwriters. 

Chris is joined by Scottish vocalist Eddi Reader for this episode, to chat about her fascinating career in music. From busking around Europe, to singing backing vocals for artists as diverse as Gang of Four, Eurythmics and Alison Moyet to finding fame - and having a number one single - with Fairground Attraction. But the band's success was fleeting and they splintered after just one album.

But Fairground Attraction have reformed to pick up from where they left off in 1989, and the two discuss the advantages a musician has being older and wiser. The conversation also covers Bob Dylan, appearing on Top Of The Pops and the artists Eddi cites as inspiring.

Chris' guest in this episode is Leeds born singer songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae. Though Corinne appeared to have success straight away with her first single, 'Like A Star', she'd already been through the painful process of having her first band fall apart - the punky 3 piece Helen she'd formed with friends. 

But a change in musical direction - partly inspired by work at a jazz club - yielded immediate success from 2005 onwards. And Corinne's enjoyed a remarkable career including a string of hit singles and albums, Grammy and Mobo awards, a tour with John Legend and a performance with Herbie Hancock at The White House.

In this episode, Chris welcomes rapidly rising rock star Wolfgang Van Halen. Now fronting his own band, Mammoth, Wolfie made his stage debut at 16 playing bass alongside his dad Eddie and uncle Alec in the legendary rock band Van Halen. 

Like his dad, Wolfie started his musical journey playing drums, before also picking up the guitar and bass. For his two albums with Mammoth, Wolfie is not only the songwriter, but also sings and plays everything you hear. He's not only an outrageously talented musician but a very nice bloke to boot - a couple of things he's taken from his main inspiration, Dave Grohl.

Chris Difford is joined in this episode by Sharleen Spiteri, the lead singer of the Glasgow band Texas, who've blended pop, rock and soul with huge success since their breakout single 'I Don't Want A Lover' back in 1989.

The band have since enjoyed an incredible run of hit singles and number one albums, but have also overcome an 8 year hiatus and the shocking brain aneurysm of guitarist Ally McErlaine. But with a triumphant Glastonbury appearance in 2023, and a new album recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals studio, Texas are still very much a force to be reckoned with.

With Chris Difford for another episode of his podcast is Jack Cochrane, frontman for the  West Lothian four-piece, The Snuts, a guitar driven act citing The Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines as influences. 

The band formed at school in 2015, with a single 'Glasgow' appearing in 2016, and since then, Jack and his band have enjoyed a remarkable and rapid ride to success with their 2021 debut album 'W.L.' hitting the number one slot in 2021. Over the last 8 years they've proven a hard working and prolific act, with an ever expanding and devoted fanbase. Their latest album 'Millennials' has received rave reviews - something that's all the sweeter as The Snuts walked away from their major label record deal and released it on their own record label instead.