Canberran Stephen Fisher-King is bringing the era of flower power, flares and flowing hair to Queanbeyan later this month.
An award-winning singer, guitarist and music theatre performer, Fisher-King fell in love with the guitar based sounds of the 70’s, and has since gone on to play the best music of that era all over the world.
We ‘take 5’ with the Canberra crooner before he brings 70s Unplugged to The Q, 14 August 10.30am and 7.30pm; theq.net.au
1. What makes the classic music of the 70’s unique from other eras?
The combination of fantastic melodies and poetic lyrics. That would be my big thing. People like Don McLean and Cat Stevens are really great storytellers who combine it with really great melodies.
2. Your show also features the culture, news, fun, fashion, and food of the 70’s. If you could make one thing from the 70’s come back into style what would it be?
The Sandman panel van. I never owned one; I had an Escort panel van back when I lived in Canberra though. I used to perform in a duo when I was at the conservatorium and we would carry all our gear around in it. That was the closest I got.
3. You’ve done a lot of musical theatre over your career, how do you incorporate theatricality into 70’s Unplugged?
We are not just a band who play the music, the show is scripted, we include the audience and we share stories of the 70’s and the artists. We include some footage of the players on stage and how they looked in the 70’s, it’s quite a lot of fun and very interactive.
4. If you could take the stage alongside one artist you cover in your show, who would it be and why?
It would be Don McLean. He also not only had beautiful lyrics and melodies, but also his voice was beautiful, and he had a very theatrical performance style.
5. How does the influence of 70’s music live on in modern times?
It’s been a real shock to me. When I put the show together I had no idea it would be so popular and not just with people who were in their 20’s and 30’s in the 70’s, but also their kids who play guitar and love to sing those songs. They’ve kept loving them and passed the torch onto those next generations. I think it will continue to live on.
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