LENE Lovich recorded blood-curdling screams for Hammer horror films, penned the lyrics for disco smash Supernature by French composer Marc Cerrone, and performed as a go-go dancer, but it was her quirky 1970’s hit Lucky Number that brought her to the attention of a nation.
“Like most people, I didn’t really have a plan, but almost overnight my life went from twanging a guitar in my bedroom to playing on Top of the Pops, which then reached an audience of millions,” said Lovich who returns to Blackpool’s Rebellion punk festival this weekend.
“It was nice to be popular but it was a little bit shallow because people like you for the moment.
“Folk were stopping me in the street and in the supermarket and I felt overwhelmed by it all.
“It’s sort of strange, people have ideas about you when they don’t know you, so yes that was very hard.
“I didn’t have enough experience of it to know that it wasn’t going to last forever.
“I’m super-powered when I’m on stage, but I’m a very shy and private person when I’m not performing.”
With her distinctive ginger-bread pig tails, a striking gothic persona and dark mysterious songs, Lucky Number proved to be just that.
“The success of Lucky Number was a surprise to us all, we were totally amazed,” she recalled.
“The record company just thought ‘Well we will put this out and somebody might play it on the radio’ and that’s what happened.
“But I’m incredibly proud of that song and it came out of me for what reason, well I don’t really know.
“Sometimes you can convey a message through a song’s lyrics, but when I can’t explain myself it is so much easier to make a noise without saying any words, but you can still create an atmosphere and a deep emotion.”
Born in America, Lovich moved to England when she was 13.
Her family settled in Hull, a world away from her home city of Detroit, once called America’s motor city.
“England felt like another universe from the USA and of course it was, but I found sanctuary there,” recalled Lovich.
“Even at that age I wanted to be free, to follow my own creative path.
“I’ve always been uncontrollably creative and have found spooky things quite interesting.
“I write music, mould sculptures and make presents for people I know.
“I’ve never really fitted in anywhere, always the odd one out I suppose but I’m comfortable with that.
“I needed to choose who I wanted to be - and what I wanted to do.
“I think that’s everybody’s goal is in this life – the need to find out who we are?
Lovich, who makes her third visit to Rebellion at the age of 75, admits she is a huge supporter of the annual seaside punk gathering.
“There is a great energy in the freedom of a shared experience and that exchange of energy with an audience is connective and Rebellion is a happy, open-minded and non-judgemental occasion, so I’m really happy to be back,” she said.
Lene Lovich performs at Blackpool’s Opera House on Saturday and Rebellion runs from today until Sunday.
Headline act include The Stranglers, Sham 69, Stiff Little Fingers and The Cockney Rejects
Tickets from www.rebellionfestivals.com
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