Voice of the Eighties on major tour

Dec 31 2008 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

SOUL legend Billy Ocean is heading to Warrington’s Pyramid and Parr Hall in the New Year.

The 80s icon – who stacked up hits such as When the Going Gets Tough and Suddenly – has announced the date as part of a major new tour.

Born in Trinidad, Leslie Sebastian Charles – as he was then known – settled in London’s East End when he was seven, and was inspired to start singing by his love of artists from across the music spectrum such as Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

He adopted the stage name Billy Ocean, taking the name from the Ocean Estate where he lived.

In his teenage years, he sang regularly in London clubs while also working as a tailor in London’s Savile Row.

He found global success with the million-selling Caribbean Queen – for which he scooped a Grammy Award – and his status as one of the world’s most famous voices was confirmed when he sang on the American half of the Live Aid single in 1985.

Now, more than 20 years on, Ocean has recorded his first album for 15 years.

Entitled Live Forever, the album is due for release across the UK next September.

Ocean is the biggest black recording star Britain has ever produced and one who has sold over 30m records in his lifetime.

The Parr Hall gig takes place on January 28. Tickets costing £24 and can be booked by calling 01925 442 345 or at www.pyramidparrhall.com