Steve Hackett, Marlon Roudette, Ruby Turner, Colin Pattenden, David Martin & Kit Rice

Yet another bumper week for interviews with Geoff Dorsett on The Soft Rock show featuring Steve Hackett, Marlon Roudette, Ruby Turner, Colin Pattenden, David Martin & Kit Rice...

Steve Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career. Hackett contributed to six Genesis studio albums, three live albums and seven singles.  In 1986, Hackett co-founded the supergroup GTR with another progressive guitarist, Steve Howe of Yes and Asia. The group released a self-titled album that year, which peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200 in the United States and spawned the Top 20 single "When the Heart Rules the Mind".  When Hackett left GTR in 1987, the group disbanded.  After leaving GTR, Hackett resumed his solo career and has released albums and toured on a regular basis since. His body of work has encompassed many styles, such as progressive rock, world music, and classical. His playing has influenced guitarists such as Eddie Van Halen, Alex Lifeson and Brian May.  He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.

Marlon Roudette is a British/Vincentian musician.  He was a former member of the band Mattafix.  He is famous for his song "New Age", which was number one in Austria, Switzerland and Germany.   Marlon´s music is inspired by musicians such as Gregory Isaacs and Massive Attack.  He is inspired by Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin and Sade too.  He describes his music as a mix of Pop and Reggae.

Ruby Turner is a British R&B and soul singer, songwriter and actress.  In 1967, she relocated with her family to Handsworth, Birmingham, England when she was nine years old.  She is best known for her albums and single releases on both sides of the Atlantic, and has sung backing vocals for others such as Bryan Ferry, UB40, Steel Pulse, Steve Winwood, Jools Holland and Mick Jagger, as well as writing songs that have been covered by many artists including Lulu, Yazz and Maxi Priest.  She achieved the rare feat, for a British singer, of reaching #1 on the US R&B chart, with "It's Gonna Be Alright" in February 1990.  Between 1986 and 1995, eight of her singles appeared in the UK Singles Chart with "I'd Rather Go Blind" being the most successful reaching #24 in 1987.  Turner performed at the Birmingham Heart Beat 86 concert, which featured George Harrison; and sang on BBC Television's Jools Holland's Hootenanny, in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.  She has also appeared as an actress on stage, film and television.

Colin Pattenden is a professional bass guitar player chiefly known for his membership of Manfred Mann's Earth Band from its formation in 1971, to 1978 when he left to form the group Terranova with Chris Slade.  He featured on seven Earth Band albums from their debut in 1972 to The Roaring Silence in 1976.  Currently, he plays bass for The Nashville Teens and the Jackie Lynton Band.

David Martin's songs have sold over 26 million records around the world in a career spanning over 40 years.  David has since written a humorous and insightful book telling the stories of the up close and personal kind about the dozens of famous stars with whom he has rubbed shoulders during his long and successful career as a singer songwriter.  David’s songs have been recorded by a long list of stars including Elvis, Cliff and Dusty, to name but a few.   His song “Can’t Smile Without You” became an international hit for Barry Manilow, The Carpenters, Boyzone and Des O’Conner, the list of stars who recorded the song is endless and so far it has notched up world sales in excess of 15 million.

Kit Rice, with four years of BRIT school experience to call on, loves nothing more than performing live and can often be seen playing solo shows as well as accompanying the talented Leddra Chapman. With his unique singing style and flexible musicianship, he is an emerging talent to be watchful of in the near future.

Steve Hackett

Marlon Roudette

Ruby Turner

Colin Pattenden of Manfred Mann's Earth Band

David Martin

Kit Rice