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THREE'S NO CROWD: (L-R) Janet Kay, Victor Romero Evans and Carroll Thompson

IT MAY have enjoyed its heyday over three decades ago, but lover’s rock still reigns supreme in the hearts and minds of many Brits today.

Commonly referred to as ‘romantic reggae’, the famed genre is celebrated as a uniquely British take on reggae music, and became the sound that defined a generation of many black Britons in the 1970s and ‘80s. However, the music successfully transcended race, finding favour amongst wider British audiences and enjoying chart success.

Amongst the stars spearheading the genre were much-loved songstresses Janet Kay and Carroll Thompson. Continuing to fly the flag for lover’s rock, the talented singers will join forces this week for the hugely anticipated show Lover’s Rock Monologues.

Kay and Thompson will be joined by British actor and vocalist Victor Romero Evans for the five-night Valentine’s extravaganza, celebrating the unforgettable genre.

Ahead of the event, all three stars spared time for a chat with here! And they insist that Lover’s Rock Monologues is not to be missed!

JANET KAY

FAMED for her hits Loving You and That’s What Friends Are For, Janet Kay is one of the most revered artists of the lover’s rock era. Born in London to Jamaican parents, the talented songstress made history in 1979 when she became the first black British singer to reach the top of the UK charts with her unforgettable smash hit Silly Games.

Why do you think lover’s rock is still so popular and in demand today?
I think that the original lover’s rock generation are now at an age where they are looking back at their youth and reminiscing. They’re remembering the times when they were discovering themselves as young adults, remembering first loves and loves lost. Lover’s rock is the backdrop to that time.

What are your top three lover’s rock songs?
There are so many songs that I love. If you asked me everyday of the week I would probably come up with a different list. Today, the three that spring to mind are: Love Me Tonight by Trevor Walters, Six Street by Louisa Mark and If I Gave My Heart To You by John McLean.

What are your fondest memories of the genre’s heydays in the 1970s and ‘80s?
Having my first baby! Also, making my first record, Loving You in 1977. Other standout memories include appearing on Top Of The Pops several times to perform Silly Games, which made me the first black British female reggae artist to reach the top of the British UK pop charts with a reggae song, and getting into the world of theatre and television; being part of a theatre company called Black Theatre Co-operative, whose actors were the creators of the first black British sitcom on British TV, No Problem on Channel 4.

When you perform, do you see many young people (under 20s) in the crowd, or do you find that lover’s rock is strictly for the generation of people who grew up on it?
Our audiences, are, depending on the event and venue, very varied culturally and by age. Many times after a show, I have spoken to young people who tell me that they love lover’s rock music as it reminds them of when they were children and their mothers would play it on Sunday whilst doing their housework and cooking dinner.

Do you ever tire of singing Silly Games?
I would be lying if I said that at some point in the last 33 years I hadn’t tired of singing Silly Games! As an artist you always want to be doing something new. I now think myself very blessed that I recorded a song so many years ago that audiences still want to hear. It is a pleasure for me to perform that song and the appreciation and love that I receive from audiences is immeasurable.

What can audiences expect from Lover’s Rock Monologues?
Fun laughter and good lover’s rock music!

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CARROLL THOMPSON

OFTEN dubbed one of the queens of lover’s rock, along with Janet Kay, Thompson is famed for her hit songs I’m So Sorry and Simply In Love. Married to Voice columnist Dotun Adebayo, Thompson’s sweet vocals also graced the hit Make It With You, her duet with the late Sugar Minott.

What do you think were the key reasons for the success of lover’s rock in the 1970s and ‘80s?
The songs were catchy, melodious and felt good. They were created by young black British singers and musicians, and became a soundtrack for that generation.

What are your top three lover’s rock songs?
Even Though You’re Gone by Louisa Mark, After Tonight by Matumbi and Natural Woman by Paul Dawkins.

Would you like to see more young black British artists breathing new life into lover’s rock, either by covering classic tracks or creating original tracks in the style of original lover’s rock?
Yes, I would definitely love to hear a new dimension to lover’s rock…the next generation!

Many feel that lover’s rock was (and still is) overlooked by the mainstream media. Would you agree with that? And if so, why do you think that was (and is) the case?
Yes, it was overlooked by the mainstream radio but not by the mainstream music lovers who heard our music through friends and family. The music was also heard via specialist radio programmes on stations such as Radio London and Capital with DJ’s such as Tony Williams, Greg Edwards and David Rodigan. This exposure to the music subsequently led listeners to buy thousands of copies of my album Hopelessly in Love. Unfortunately, the business organisation behind lover’s rock artists was often badly handled by the producers and label owners who lacked business acumen and who were also short sighted in not fully realising the potential of the genre.

What are your fondest memories of the genre’s heydays in the 1970s and ‘80s?
My fondest memories are being in the studio with a host of talented musicians and singers from the UK and Jamaica. It was an exciting time, filled with great creative energy, as we innocently made music we loved and enjoyed.

What can audiences expect from the show, Lover’s Rock Monologues?
The monologues will have you laughing, crying, reminiscing and singing all night.

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VICTOR ROMERO EVANS

HAILING from St Lucia, Evans came to England at the age of nine and went on to work extensively as an actor on stage and screen, in addition to working as a singer and songwriter. With theatre credits including the West End musical The Big Life, and TV roles in programmes including the fondly remembered black British sitcom No Problem, Evans was also a founder member of the theatre company, Black Theatre Co-operative.

What are your fondest memories of the genre’s heydays in the 1970s and ‘80s?
My fondest memories from the ‘70s are of doing the many things I enjoyed such as being in a dance drama group, where I met Judith Jacobs and Chris Tummings, among others. Also, going to work for the first time and buying my own clothes; dating for the first time; recording my first record; playing cricket; and raving! In the ‘80s, I was the male lead in Menelik Shabazz’s film Burning An Illusion. I was also one of the creators of the sitcom No Problem and had my first number one in the Black Echo’s reggae charts, with my son At the Club.

Many people associate the lover’s rock era with the parties where men and women would famously ‘scrub down’ together in a darkened corner... do you have any such memories of this?
I most certainly do have memories of being engaged in many a sweet embrace, but not necessarily in a corner!

Why do you think lover’s rock is held so dearly in the hearts and minds of so many black Brits?
I think lovers rock impacted on us deeply because it reflected our lives at the time. However, it’s not only black Brits that lovers rock resonates with.

What are your top three lover’s rock songs?
There are too many to mention, but the three that pop up in my head at this moment are: Turn Out The Lights by The Investigators, Natural Woman by Paul Dawkins and Rock the Rhythm by Janet Kay.

Lover’s rock music is commonly referred to as ‘romantic reggae’. Do you consider yourself a romantic?
I prefer to call it ‘lover’s reggae’ and yes, I consider myself a lover. I love loving.

What can audiences expect from the show, Lover’s Rock Monologues?
A fun show with words and music.

Lover’s Rock Monologues is at the Dugdale Centre, Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Road, Enfield EN2 from February 14-18. Call 020 8807 6680 or visit www.dugdalecentre.co.uk