GLENN TILBROOK from SQUEEZE

Glenn Tilbrook

Glenn Tilbrook has emerged as one of the UK’s most cherished singers, guitarists and songwriters, not to mention an in-demand and endlessly endearing live performer. But more than 40 years after he first answered an ad placed by Chris Difford looking for like-minded sorts to form the band that became the much-loved evergreen Squeeze, an ending is nowhere in sight.

The catalogue of songs that Squeeze crafted from their recording debut of the Packet Of Three EP in 1977 cannot be underestimated. Solid classics such as ‘Take Me I’m Yours’, ‘Cool For Cats’, ‘Up The Junction’, ‘Another Nail In My Heart’, ‘Tempted’, ‘Labelled With Love’ and ‘Black Coffee In Bed’ became the benchmarks for what a pop single could be.

Squeeze’s (temporary) demise in 1998 saw Glenn embark on a solo career that spawned albums such as The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook (2001) and Transatlantic Ping-Pong (2004), showcasing an ever-maturing songwriting talent (his first major works without the input of lyricist Difford).

In 2014 he released the highly acclaimed Happy Ending album (“an unqualified triumph” – Daily Mirror), an album that is Glenn’s most personal work to date featuring a series of evocative portraits of time, people and places.

“I’m really, really vibed up on what I’m doing now,” Glenn says of Happy Ending. “To me, this record takes its place alongside Pandemonium Ensues, East Side Story, Argybargy and Cool For Cats, which are my favourites of all the ones I’ve made. That’s five albums that I’ve thought ‘Yes! I’ve actually done that properly now”…”

There are few musicians able to connect with their audience with the chemistry and warmth that Glenn manages. “I’ve been doing solo tours for the last 18 years or so, and it’s been great fun. When I started it was becoming clear that the old music business model of record companies was a thing of the past, for me, and it was time to do things under my own steam. And to be honest, I’ve never been happier.”

Away from the constant and steady stream of fine music, Ivor Novello, Nordoff Robbins, Mojo and PPL awards, landmark plaques commemorating his formative Squeeze years in Greenwich, Glenn is also active in the charity Love Hope Strength, set up by his friend Mike Peters of The Alarm.  LHS raises money to set up cancer units in countries in need, and works tirelessly on raising awareness on bone marrow donation. His work with the charity has included record-breaking treks up mounts Everest, Fuji and Kilimanjaro, which should come as no surprise to anyone already in thrall to the man.

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