“I just thank God that we were allowed to.”
Denise Pearson was part of the multi-platinum awarded 80s group Fivestar. They had numerous chart-topping successes including 6 top-ten singles such as 1986 tracks ‘Rain or Shine‘ and ‘System Addict‘. They also had 4 top-twenty albums in their career too including the album “Silk & Steel” which debuted at Number 1 in the UK charts.
Denise sat down with me to talk about things like upcoming projects commemorating special Fivestar anniversaries as well as her favourite kinds of music.
Q: What’s your favourite thing about playing, sort of, nostalgic festivals like this one [Rewind]?
“Oh god, it’s amazing. It’s nice to see the faces that bought the records, you know? And this is the most rewarding part of the whole journey, seeing everybody and how they really really enjoy the music. And singing it back to you!“
Q: When you began your career, do you think there were any barriers, musically or personally, that you had to overcome to make it big like you did?
“I don’t think there were any barriers because, we started off as R&B with ‘Let Me Be The One’ and ‘All Fall Down’. Then back in the day, you had to crossover, so we crossed over into pop, like ‘System Addict’, ‘Rain or Shine’, ‘Can’t Wait Another Minute’. I was the only one who was writing the rock tracks on the album. So I don’t think there were any barriers, I think I was bringing in new, kind of like, ingredients into the pop album.“
Q: Is that your thing then? Is rock more your thing? Who are some of your favourites?
“Yeah. I love rock. I listen to Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, all of those 80s rock bands…. something Light Orchestra.“
Electric Light Orchestra?
“Yes! Electric Light Orchestra. I haven’t seen any of them.“
Q: Do you think, being a woman in the music industry, that much has changed in terms of the environment for women in that industry?
“No! It’s always been our passion, in our home. We all grew up around music, so it wasn’t a surprise that we were, you know, in music. I just thank God that we were allowed to, and were able to, make a living of our passion. My brothers, and there were my sisters, so I don’t think there was anything, you know, discouraging about women being in music. The 80s era, there was Madonna, The Bangles, Cyndi Lauper, Whitney Houston, amazing artists!“
Q: Even though you grew up around music, were there any specific people that really made you want to pursue music?
“Yeah! Crystal Gayle, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Patti Austin, brilliant voices!”
Q: So did they push you to do live music, write music, or both?
“Well my dad was a music distributer, at one point. So, we had loads of albums at home. I, kind of, nitpicked and found those artists along with Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and the Commodores. It was a whole array of music.“
Q: The website I’m writing for support and focuses on smaller artists. Is there anyone you think, or that you listen to, that you think more people should listen to?
“Hassa Alexis, that’s my daughter. She’s a little American, she was born in America, phenomenal voice and she plays guitar!”
Q: My final question is about any upcoming projects. Do you have any live shows or projects being released soon?
“Yeah. Well we’re doing a lot more festivals, I’ve just sold out, for Fivestar’s 40th anniversary, Pizza Express live at Holborn on the 12th of August. We’ve just opened up another date for September 30th, so tickets should be available very soon. I’m also recording a new album, and my new single is coming out on August 12th to commemorate the 40th anniversary, and that is ‘Forever Young’.“