Belting out the blues...Jan 5 2007
By Nicola Juncar, The Evening Chronicle
Hollywood star Steven Seagal is going to be making music in the Toon.
On the day I became a fully-fledged journalist, I made a mental list of all the famous people I'd love to interview.
Over the last six years that list has become smaller. Some names I've managed to tick off after interviewing, others I've sadly had to remove as the only way I'd be able to chat with them is through a seance.
But today I'm able to tick off the name that's been on the top of the list right from the start.
Now, I don't like to write the word hero, as it is over-used, especially in this industry, and I would normally keep it for the armed forces, firefighters and genuine lifesavers. But this time, I'll make an exception.
Steven Seagal has been a hero of mine since I was little and I was thrilled to speak with him while he was staying in Memphis recently.
I would love to say my Editor saw my enthusiasm for the story, flew me out to Tennessee and the interview took place over a glass or two of Jack Daniels. But in reality, it was over the phone from my home.
I realise claiming Seagal as a hero may raise a few eyebrows, possibly even sniggers and younger readers, who won't know his best work from the late 80s/early 90s may just think who?
But to me, he's nothing short of a legend.
I don't say this because I'm overwhelmed by his acting talent. After all, it is because I watched his films that I took up karate at the age of 13 and, more recently, began to study aikido - although I'm still a way off from his 7th dan black belt standard.
With exceptional skills in aikido, karate, judo and kendo, Seagal studied Zen in Japan and was the first American to open a martial arts studio in the Far East.
But as if that wasn't impressive enough, he's also a talented blues guitar player, which brings me to the purpose of the interview.
Seagal is visiting Newcastle with his band, Thunderbox, for a concert at The Journal Tyne Theatre this month.
Seagal is embarking on a World Tour, taking the band across Canada, Scotland, England and parts of Europe, to promote their latest album, Mojo Priest.
He told me: "We are really looking forward to the tour. We have started rehearsing and everything is going well.
"Although I don't know the latest sales figures, the album has been received really well and we hope it will continue to do so during the tour.
"I am looking forward to coming to England. I've been many times but I'll get a chance to see more of the country as we are travelling on a tour bus."
Due to the tight schedule - the band is playing in Scotland one day, Newcastle the next and Wolverhampton the following night - Seagal said they would not be able to look around the places they are performing in, which is why he's pleased they are touring by bus and not by a private plane.
Seagal describes his music as good, honest blues and the album contains new songs that he penned as well as his adaptations of classics.
Seagal and Thunderbox joined up with some of the best in the genre, including Hurbert Sumlin who played with Muddy Waters, and for 25 years, with Howlin' Wolf, to record the collection.
"It was a dream come true to work with these blues legends, many of whom I had played with before the making of this record," said Seagal.
"Ruth Brown knew about my love for the blues and Robert Lockwood Jr knew of it, as well. They wanted to work with me on this project, because they were aware I was going to make an authentic blues album; not a rock album with a blues feel.
"I got to work with people I was a fan of and others that had inspired me to play, which was great."
For Seagal, this is far more than an action-movie star trying his hand at music. Blues has been his second passion to martial arts ever since he was a young boy and then acting came about by accident.
Seagal only got in front of the camera for a film after working behind the scenes to co-ordinate stunts and fight scenes - he also famously broke Sean Connery's arm on set!
"This is not something new for me," he said. "My first artistic endeavour was playing music, and that music was blues. It is something that has always been natural to me.
"When thinking of performing on stage or attending a movie premiere, it is impossible to compare. It's like apples and oranges, I love them both.
"After the tour, I will be looking over a few movie scripts that I have been approached about and I'll start work on more songs.
"I always have my guitar with me and I'll fit in my writing around filming, or whatever else I might be doing."
Keen martial arts followers should not worry about music taking over his life, however, as Seagal says he plans to continue his training - even when he's on the road.
"I'll fit it in somehow," he said.
But dojos and clubs hoping to invite him along to train with their members may be disappointed though, as he says he will not have time to take a class.
"I get approached by clubs a lot, to either train with them or teach," he added. "But, sadly, I don't have the time to say yes to everyone who asks."
Steven Seagal and Thunderbox are at The Journal Tyne Theatre on January 17. Tickets £27.50. The show starts at 7.30pm.
