Photo: Martin Porter
Graham Gouldman is one of our most durable songwriters who has achieved success as a solo artist and with his band 10cc. Influenced by The Beatles, he wrote for several major artists in the 1960s before decamping for a time to the USA as part of the Kasenatz Katz production company.
Returning to the UK he teamed up with Lol Crème, Kevin Godley and Eric Stewart to form Hotlegs then 10cc with their debut album released in 1973. Since that time the band enjoyed major chart success with songs like ‘I’m Not In Love’ and ‘Rubber Bullets’.
For the past 20 years Graham has continued with the latest iteration of 10cc and touring regularly, plus his own solo show ‘Heart Full Of Songs’ which is essentially a career retrospective. He has also released several solo albums during this period whilst appearing for a time with Ringo Starr’s ‘All-Starr Band’.
David Randall chatted to Graham Gouldman about his career. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 12 August 2018.
Our story starts in 2006, where like many newcomers and lapsed listeners we evaluated a greatest hits collection. Whilst Pete Feenstra queried the need for such a “new” compilation it was the “And More” in the title that made it different.
The additional tracks reflected Gouldman’s work with The Mindbenders, Herman’s Hermits, The Yardbirds and – two decades later – Andrew Gold. Also tagged on was a solo piece ‘Beautiful Losers’ from the Gouldman/Godley collaboration GG06.
Pete summed up 10cc’s appeal: “full of clever, quirky musical arrangements, and occasional memorable riffs …Above all, 10cc were never predictable.”
Since this time Gouldman was the sole carrier of the 10cc flame in the live context telling Pete Feenstra in 2006:
It’s always been the joy of playing for me that is important, and actually being on the road with a great band and great musicians. And above all by doing that it keeps the band’s music alive. We’ve also got the new album to promote, and I really believe the record company are responding to the public’s desire to reappraise 10cc. I think time can give things a different perspective, with a view of where the songs came from and where they are going.
In 2014 10cc’s gig at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London in 2007 was released as Live In Concert – Clever Clogs David Randall wrote:
This album can only really appeal to those fans who have been to a recent gig, it’s an adequate if uninformative souvenir. Although Graham Gouldman has released an excellent solo album in recent years – ‘Love And Work’ – it does seem now that 10cc is locked forever in some sort of bubble-wrapped time vortex.
Gouldman collaborated with Andrew Gold in the 1980s following the demise of the original 10cc band (Kevin Godley and Lol Crème split in 1976). In 2009 a reissue of Wax’s debut album Magnetic Heaven was reviewed by the late Jim Henderson. It was produced by Phil Thornalley with whom Gouldman has had a lasting musical friendship.
Whilst it could be regarded as something of a guilty pleasure, Magnetic Heaven is still worthy of investigation for fans of the AOR / pop-rock style…
Gouldman’s collaboration with Kevin Godley is detailed by Billy James in a long feature in 2007 whilst Billy described the early tracks: “I urge you to visit their official website and download these gems as fast as your fingers can type.” Amongst the five songs ‘Son Of Man’ is about the transitional period from Hotlegs to 10cc and the video was played in as a dramatic intro at later 10cc gigs.
Photo: Andrew Lock
The template for Gouldman’s later solo shows was in place as early as 2011 when he would sometimes open up the 10cc shows with acoustic versions of his songbook. A year later, in 2012, reviewer Andrew Lock witnessed the “40th Anniversary” tour describing “An evening full to the brim of hits, exceptional playing and simply drop dead gorgeous vocal harmonies.”
Dave Wilson witnessed 10cc for the first time when special guests of Status Quo in Falkirk (2013).
Two things quickly became apparent, firstly the sound was spot on and secondly 10cc are one hell of a band live.
Photo: Andy Nathan
Later that year, in December 2013 , Andy Nathan noted:
The songs were delivered pretty faithfully to the originals and a reminder that back in the seventies pop could still be clever and lyrical with even a progressive twist. The harmonies on opener ‘Wall Street Shuffle’ and ‘I’m Mandy Fly Me’ were lush, and most people present would have been delighted to reacquaint themselves with the likes of ‘The Things We Do for Love’, ‘Life Is A Minestrone’ and ‘Art For Art’s Sake’.
Andy reviewed the band further, in 2014 (Weyfest) and 2016 at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich when he commented:
… judging by the setting and the clientele, the time referred to is not Greenwich Mean Time but Pimms O’clock. I can’t recall ever seeing a Champagne and Oyster bar at Reading or Donington as I did here.
At times the atmosphere in a far from sold out lawn was a little flat with some of the yacht club types seeing the music as background to their idle chatter, but on hearing the intro to ‘I’m Not In Love’, suddenly hundreds of camera phones were held aloft while the stage lighting only added to the song’s great atmospherics, then people got to their feet and responded to Graham’s invitation to sing along to the classic ‘Dreadlock Holiday’, with a sign off line of ‘I Don’t like Greenwich – I love it’.
Gouldman was inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014.
Graham Gouldman’s first solo album was released in 1968, featuring his own versions of some of the songs written for other artists. In 2012 he released Love And Work with Jason Ritchie describing “…a gem of an album with many delights along the way.” He also noted the musical affinities with other great artists like Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.” Gouldman also played tribute to his former musical partner Andrew Gold in one of the album’s standouts, ‘Daylight’.
The album was reissued in 2018 ahead of a 10cc tour when David Randall reiterated Jason’s earlier thoughts: “One of those truly crafted song-driven albums from a true master.”
Two years later, Gouldman issued his solo album Modesty Forbids. It continued the high quality quotient of its predecessor and as Randall noted “Gouldman is a sensitive and classy songwriter but not afraid to collaborate.” One song reflected on his time in Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band in 2018 – a dream come true for a musician influenced by The Beatles in his formative and later years.
‘Modesty Forbids’ reflects the dying art of fine pop songwriting and craftsmanship. Add in immaculate musicianship and a main-man who is still humbled by his fellow peers the album title becomes more understandable.
Graham is another national treasure and this latest album one to be treasured.
David Randall chatted to Graham Gouldman about the album ‘Modesty Forbids’. This is an edited version of the interview first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 5 April 2020.
The collaborative spirit continued with 2024′s I Have Notes which features another track with Ringo Starr plus songs with Brian May and Beth Nielsen Chapman.
Photo: Andy Nathan
Graham continues to tour with 10cc and in his own right with his solo ‘Heart Full Of Songs’ show. In April 2022 Andy Nathan reviewing 10cc – 50 years since their formation – commented:
It showed 10cc as innovators with a unique style best characterised as ‘progressive pop’, with the emphasis on this night on the former strand, which I hadn’t fully appreciated before. For as long at the urbane, youthful looking Graham Gouldman is still there to give some authenticity it’s not too late for an ELO style revival.
Photo: David Randall
And, in March 2024 David Randall became reacquainted with 10cc in Bristol:
What next for these seasoned troupers? The triple ultimate greatest hits tour?
Gouldman should be applauded for keeping the flame alive (and at the age of 77) but you can’t help thinking that this is a mellower iteration and that if Godley and Creme were on board there would be more grit in the mix.
The 10cc legacy is captured on the 2013 release Tenology whilst Peter Kearn’s 2020 book facilitates a more detailed listen.
For Gouldman’s solo work readers are directed to ‘Modesty Forbids’ and ‘I Have Notes’ which reflect the work of a consummate performer and songwriter. He told Pete Feenstra in 2025 “I put out solo albums…I have to do it. I build up a batch of songs, I want to record them. I call it my very expensive hobby. And I love doing it.”
Graham Gouldman chatted to Pete Feenstra about his music, songwriting, and influential artists. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 2 February 2025.
Tour dates 2025
Wed 5 Mar Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St Annes
Thu 6 Mar The Atkinson, Southport
Fri 7 Mar The Apex, Bury St Edmunds
Sat 8 Mar New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Mon 10 Mar The Gate Arts Centre, Cardiff
Tue 11 Mar The Hafren, Newtown
Thu 13 Mar St Luke’s, Glasgow
Fri 14 Mar Playhouse, Alnwick
Sat 15 Mar RNCM, Manchester
Sun 16 Mar City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds
Mon 17 Mar The Stables Theatre, Wavendon
Wed 19 Mar The Factory Live, Worthing
Thu 20 Mar Cadogan Hall, London
Fri 21 Mar Cheese & Grain, Frome
Sat 22 Mar Corn Exchange Theatre, Stamford
Sun 23 Mar Theatre Seven, Shrewsbury
Gig review (Cadogen Hall, London, 2025)
Artist website
GRTR! Greats
Story: David Randall
Contributors: Pete Feenstra, Jim Henderson, Billy James, Andy Nathan, David Randall, Jason Ritchie, Dave Wilson
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 16 November 2025.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This 600th show was first broadcast on 18 November 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025
We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.
Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
