Altered Images

Some artists become part of the soundtrack of a generation, and Claire Grogan managed to do that before she was 20.

As the frontwoman of Altered Images, she helped create some of the most memorable pop music of the early 80s.

Songs like Happy Birthday, I Could Be Happy, See Those Eyes, Don't Talk To Me About Love, combined infectious melodies with a distinctive personality that set the band apart.

At the same time, Claire became one of the defining faces of her generation through the classic film, Gregory's Girl.

I mean, I don't know if the fame, the sort of double fame happened at the same time, but it felt like it all happened in one go.

You mentioned Bill Forsythe, but Gregory's Girl became, you know, a classic almost immediately.

And then Altered Images breaks through in this very short period of time.

So it's, you know, there you are, you're a film star and a pop star in one go.

So I had a few different things I was considering here.

First, it was Happy Birthday by Altered Images.

This is the first Altered Images album.

And I think you told me, or maybe you commented whenever I nominated this one that like, isn't the other record the better one of the two?

This is the more important one.

They're not as slick as a lot of their new new wave counterparts.

I thought about it.

You know, we kind of keep dancing around altered images.

Went out with Holly.

Went to see a band called Altered Images.

A few of you will have heard of them from back in the 80s.

Happy birthday, happy birthday.

Now that's the voice of another excellent woman, Claire Grogan, who's also in a retrospective mood.

She and her band Altered Images go on a tour based around their classic 1980s album, Happy Birthday.

So happy 45th birthday to Happy Birthday.

And you're going to be singing a song live.

He's so

glamorous compared to the character, yeah.

Now, look, in addition to a song from altered images, we have music from the multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, neo-soul singer Jordan Rakai.

So what do you play? How many instruments are we talking about in the multi?

Thanks for joining me for another episode of Scott Pop.

This week I'm delighted to be joined by Claire Grogan of Altered Images, who, if you listen to this on the day of release, September the 2nd, they're actually starting a UK tour today in Cumberage Wells at the Forum, a nationwide tour for their album, 45 Years, Unbelievably, a happy birthday debut album.

In the interview, Claire talks about the tour, she talks about the influence of Suzie and the Banshees on the early altered images and how the death of John Lennon nearly derailed the band just before they got started.

If that wasn't enough, there's even time for a true story.

Claire tells us how she felt when she discovered she was the inspiration for one of the biggest songs of the 80s.

So from that point then, how did you...

Because your background was...

Am I right in thinking you had some kind of involvement with Primal Scream earlier on as well, before you were involved with Altered Images? How did you end up being in a band? I suppose that's a simple question.

And I'm Rachel.

And today's guest is Claire Grogan of Altered Images.

And we caught up with her before she went out on a tour in September celebrating the 45th anniversary, 45 years, 45th anniversary of the release of the album Happy Birthday.

She is such a legend, a punk pioneer.

I'm Howard.

And I'm Rachel.

And today we are joined by Claire Grogan from Altered Images before she goes out on the road again touring with Happy Birthday Album, the 45th anniversary tour.

Welcome, Claire.

out and get drunk and dance.

Shout out to Mark for suggesting altered images.

I could be happy.

All of these things I do All of these things I do To get away from you I could be happy, I could be happy I could be happy, I could be happy Maybe some a mile down the line I could be happy, I could be happy All of these things I do All of these things I do To get away from you I could be happy Maybe swim a mile down the line I could be happy

A very chill melody, Summertime Breeze by Larry Hurt.

Before that, of course, we'll listen to the classic Groovers in the Heart by D-Lite featuring Q-Tip.

Before that, we had a request from Mark, I Could Be Happy by Altered Images.

Thank you, Justin.

Today's producer is Caitlin Sneddon.

Next week, my guests will include Janet Streetporter and Altered Images.

But from me for now, goodbye.

The Moral Maze on BBC Radio 4.

Life changed one afternoon They fed you with a silver spoon Major John Major John Now you lose the common mob You think you're in a steady job Major John And you will see You were never meant to be

Those were The Wake with Major John, formed in Glasgow in 1982 by original Altered Images member Gerald McAnulty.

They called it The Day in 1994, but reformed in 2009.

They had a few indie charting singles, but not Major John, which was their last single, until Clouds Disco, which was released for Record Store Day in 2015.