Blancmange legend Neil Arthur was knocked unconscious and rushed to hospital before his previous show in Aberdeen… while playing squash.
Despite the dash to A&E, where he received stitches for a wound to his jaw, Neil still took to the show later that night in the 1980s.
Now on his first Granite City appearance since that incident some 40 years ago, the singer-songwriter hopes to deliver a knock-out performance.
Neil will perform with Blancmange at The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen on Thursday to promote new album Private View.
And this time, Neil insists there will be no squash match on the day of the show.
He said: “The last time I played in Aberdeen was in the 80s and I had a game of squash on the day of the show. I was playing with my manger but he knocked me out on the court.
“He caught me with the racket under the chin and knocked me clean off my feet with a swipe as he was going for the shot. The next thing I knew I was coming round in an ambulance on my way to hospital.
“I had to have stitches in my jaw and it was all swollen. I had great big swollen chops.
“My manager told me that I was still going on that evening.So I went on stage with a big plaster on my chin.
“I’m very much looking forward to coming back to Aberdeen although I will not be playing squash before the concert.”
‘Political model is completely wrong’
Formed by Neil and Stephen Luscombe in 1979 Blancmange were at the forefront of a synth-pop movement in the 80s.
Single Living On The Ceiling was a smash hit and earned the band international acclaim and success.
Blancmange released three albums before splitting in June 1986 following a farewell concert at The Royal Albert Hall.
After a gap of a quarter of a century Blancmange reunited in 2011 and released fourth studio album Blanc Burn.
However, Luscombe was forced to leave the band due to ill health. Neil continued with Blancmange and has been prolific. Private View is his seventh album since 2020.
He insists recording was a cathartic release from the ‘nightmare’ of the Covid lockdown and post-Brexit Britain.
Neil said: “I released Mindset in 2020 and since then I have released several other albums trying to keep myself sane in the nightmare that was lockdown and post-Brexit.
“I thought we can’t tour so I’ll keep writing. In the autumn of last year we got out to do 23 gigs and then just as that was finishing the new Covid variant (Omicron) arrived and scuppered New Year and Christmas.
“Now we have the nightmare of the fat cats getting fatter, people starving and a government that doesn’t know what to do about it.
“The political model is completely wrong, it is not working. Companies are making massive profits and the world is really going to get in a right mess if they don’t do something about it.
“There are going to be a few winners and a lot of losers. It is really, really tough for many people out there. It seems that we are slightly fractured as a society as well.
“Someone said to me recently that we need a revolution. And I said yes. But can we start it after EastEnders because there is so much apathy.”
‘I am a filter and absorb things’
On recent album Private View there is a perfect balance between sonic experimentation an pop sensibilities.
Joining Neil on the album is Benge (musician and producer Ben Edwards) and guitarist David Rhodes (Scott Walker, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel).
Neil said: “I’m sure there are a lot of people making music that reflects these times, like Sleaford Mods. There is going to be plenty more of it as it really needs shaking up and people need empowered.
“I am a filter and absorb things. I also like to have a bit of a laugh with myself so there is dark and light. Sonically I am trying to push it as well.
“Some of the lyrics deal with delicate things such as how it feels if you are someone no one notices. What it’s like to feel invisible. And unfortunately, a lot of people feel like that.
THANK YOU MANCHESTER YOU WERE WONDERFUL. pic.twitter.com/eUUhZDXijA
— blancmange (@_blancmange_) November 18, 2022
“I’m 64 now and have heard a lot of stories and talked to a lot of people. This isn’t about me. Sonically I’m seeking to make s0unds sounds emotive. To use so few words but conjure up emotions to link to other people.
“It’s a journey and I am learning from it all the time.”
For more information and tickets for Blancmange at the Lemon Tree on Thursday December 1 go to aberdeenperformingarts.com
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