Bill Sharpe interview
For this interview special, it’s with a bonafide music legend: Bill Sharpe.
Bill Sharpe is a classically trained pianist and jazz rock musician, who once worked alongside John Peel at the BBC and Trevor Horn in an early band. In 1980, he co-founded the band Shakatak, who scored many big hits around the world with their brand of post-disco jazz-funk.
In 1985, he teamed up with Gary Numan on what was meant to be a one-off single, but later turned into several songs, and a whole album - with 1989’s Automatic. He is a prolific songwriter and musician, who has collaborated with many other stars over the years, and is still performing with Shakatak today.
In the episode, Bill discusses:
- How he came to work with Gary Numan and their writing processes
- The unreleased demos he made with Gary after Automatic - could they ever be released?
- How Shakatak came about
- His friendship with John Peel
Clips used:
- Shakatak - Steppin'
- Shakatak - Easier Said than Done (TOTP)
- Sharpe & Numan - Change Your Mind
- Sharpe & Numan - New Thing from London Town
- Sharpe & Numan - No More Lies
- Shakatak - Nightbirds (TOTP)
Please get in touch on YouTube, X, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, or email at numanpodcast@gmail.com.