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The man behind the mike
Posted by Robbie | Posted in General | Posted on 19-11-2008
Here’s something I found while digging through my files - an interview I did with Round Town News.
Written by Sharon Bruce
The many listeners to Costa Calida Radio’s Robbie France Show may wonder about the man behind the mike.
In fact, Robbie has been a resident of Puerto de Mazarron since 1998. He has a tremendous history in the music and recording business and is still active in producing highly successful acts.
At heart, Robbie is a drummer, but he’s also described as a producer, arranger, journalist, music educator and broadcaster.
Relaxing over a coffee on the Paseo at Puerto de Mazarron Robbie recalled that, although he was born in Sheffield, he moved to Australia in 1970. He became deeply involved in the music scene and at the age of 15 was teaching drums at the Australian Academy of Music. In 1982 he left the country with over a thousand musical credits to his name. Back in England he joined Diamond Head and then, in 1990, Wishbone Ash. In 1994 he was a founder of Skunk Anansie. In 1995 he joined the German band Alphaville and some eight years ago moved to Spain where he now enjoys life beside the Mediterranean.
Robbie in the flesh is as entertaining as over the airwaves and he has a host of stories. In Spain he founded the highly successful Pulpo Negro label and related activities. Some of the country’s most successful groups emerged under his guidance, including Second, who won the 2005 First Prize of the prestigious GBOB event. They are on the bill of Depeche Mode’s current tour and will be appearing at the Parque Antonio Soria in Torrevieja on July 25th. Robbie says they are a fantastic band that is destined for even greater things. His hottest tip of the moment is to keep an eye on singer Keke, who was born in Madrid but is now based in London.
Robbie maintains close contacts with a huge range of people in the music business that make sure that he knows all about the latest tracks and new acts. So Mazarron listeners will continue to be amongst the first in Europe to hear the very latest music.
This article was first published in Round Town News.
Hope you enjoyed this little insight!
Robbie x