Lulu talks about making it big in the 1960s at just 16, and why now’s the time to revisit that Swinging decade... What were the 60s like for you? “I was living in Lulu-land most of the time. My life was a whirlwind. I was making music and working with people like The Beatles. When you’re a teenager, that’s a heady position to be in, so a lot of it passed me by.” But you still have some great memories? “Yes. I remember once I’d gone to get fish and chips one Friday, because we always had fish and chips for supper on Friday and I remember my brother hanging out of the window shouting 'Quick, quick you’re on Ready, Steady, Go.' I don’t know how I got back to see it, but John Lennon and Paul McCartney were on it saying my record was their favourite release of the week.” You appeared confident on stage. Was that always true? “No, I was consumed by the fact that I had acne. I was terrible being in the spotlight, especially when I saw myself on the huge screen. I ran out crying – I thought I can’t act, I can’t sing. And I was always hanging out with rock stars and their model girlfriends. That part was not fun.” What about your look back then? “I used to pack on the make-up. And I loved it. I liked to get dressed up and even the boys were obsessed with how they looked, with their long hair and sideburns. I used to fix my band’s hair and choose their clothes. I was the mum, what can I tell you?” Have things changed that much in the music industry? “I never thought about being a star. In the 60s it was about the singing not about being a celebrity, which is the malady today. You wouldn’t have asked the Rolling Stones or Jimmy Hendrix, 'Did you think you would be famous?' It was about music and that’s the difference between now and the 60s. But what hasn’t changed is there’s still a lot of talent.” Do you think you would have made through the current talent show route? “If it was in the 60s no problem. I don’t know about now, because today you have to be more than a performer, you have to be controversial. Lady GaGa is the most brilliant songwriter, but if she didn’t have hats made out of steak I don’t think she would get a look in.” What is the secret to your longevity? “People used to say: 'She’ll never have a voice left if she keeps singing Shout, she won’t last.' So I had a bee in my bonnet.” Why do you thing the decade still resonates so much with people today? “I can understand why people are obsessed with the 60s now. So many impressive people that came out of that decade, more so than the 70s or 80s. I’ve never been hampered by the Sixties as I don’t rely on past efforts. I keep up with the times. But I was sort of running away from it. I now realise it’s a great legacy.” *Lulu presents Rewind to the 60s on BBC1, weekdays at 9.15am
