Questions for music legend PP Arnold at The Guardian
Renowned music legend PP Arnold, best known for her iconic 60s hits like The First Cut Is the Deepest and Angel of the Morning, is set to grace the stage at this year’s Glastonbury festival. However, before her performance, Arnold is inviting fans to pose their burning questions to her.
Hailing from a family of gospel singers in Los Angeles, PP Arnold’s journey to musical stardom was not without its challenges. At 17, she found herself in an abusive marriage with two children. Despite these hardships, Arnold auditioned for Ike and Tina Turner and landed a role as an Ikette. This opportunity led her to tour and record with the Turner band, where Tina Turner took on a mentoring role in her life.
Following a tour with the Rolling Stones in the UK in 1966, Arnold decided to stay in England. Mick Jagger, impressed by her talent, facilitated a record deal for her, thrusting her into the heart of swinging London during a time of British musical domination. Arnold collaborated with the Small Faces on hits like Itchycoo Park, duetted with Rod Stewart on Come Home Baby, worked with the Nice featuring Keith Emerson as her backing band, and had some of her work produced by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees.
With her debut album featuring a cover of Cat Stevens’ The First Cut Is the Deepest, widely regarded as the definitive version, and the follow-up Kafunta, orchestrated by Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, featuring another iconic cover of Angel of the Morning, Arnold secured her place on British music charts.
While these tracks were her standout solo accomplishments, Arnold continued to make waves in the entertainment industry. She transitioned to musical theatre, collaborated with renowned artists like Eric Clapton and Nick Drake, and contributed backing vocals to Peter Gabriel’s hit song Sledgehammer. In the 80s and 90s, she ventured into the dance scene, lending her vocals to projects with the Beatmasters and Altern-8, as well as providing the catchy hook for the KLF’s 3am Eternal. Collaborations with bands like Ocean Colour Scene and Primal Scream further solidified her status as a versatile and sought-after artist.
At 78 years old, PP Arnold continues to release new music, with 2019 seeing the launch of The New Adventures of… PP Arnold. Fans will have the opportunity to hear songs from her impressive catalog when she takes the stage at Glastonbury’s Acoustic stage on Sunday, June 29th at 4pm. Prior to the performance, Arnold will be fielding questions from fans, so be sure to submit your queries before 10 am BST on Tuesday, June 24th.