‘Art is nowadays completely commercial'

She was the star of the original Paris production of Cabaret, winning an Olivier Award for her Broadway role in Chicago.
German singer Ute Lemper, whose family was divided by the Berlin Wall, performed alongside Pink Floyd to mark its collapse. Her career has been defined by her love of the music of the Weimar-era, and the composer Kurt Weill.
125 years after his birth, she's released a new album adapting his music for the modern age – and she'll perform it at Cadogan Hall in London next weekend.

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The Herald Scotland

18 hours ago

• The Herald Scotland

The new book capturing Glasgow's 21st century transformation

New book Glasgow From Above explores the key events, campaigns, major investments and regeneration projects that have propelled the changes that have unfolded across the city over the last 25 years. Read more: New cultural venues, office blocks, university buildings, schools, hospitals and bridges which have been created since the millennium are featured in the book, which will be officially published on July 28. Photographer Alistair Leith and Rosalie Menon, an architect and academic, have collaborated on the book, which has been published to coincide with the 850th anniversary of Glasgow's being granted 'burgh status.' The transformation of Glasgow since the turn of the century is celebrated in a new photography book. (Image: Alistair Leith) Mr Leith, who has worked in the construction industry for nearly 30 years, took to numerous vantage points around the city - including new buildings taking shape - and deployed drone photography to capture the images in the 250-page book. Ms Menon, who teaches at the Mackintosh School of Architecture at Glasgow School of Art, had previously published Fragments of Glasgow, a book exploring the city's architectural heritage, which focused mainly on Victorian-era buildings. She told The Herald: 'I wanted to follow that up with another book capturing a more holistic view of Glasgow as a 21st century city as it has changed dramatically over the last 25 years. "There has been a lot of investment in the re-use of historic buildings and a lot of new-build developments, particularly over the last decade. The new photography book Glasgow From Above explores the modern-day transformation of Glasgow. (Image: Alistair Leith) 'I thought the best way to capture that would be with aerial photography. I follow quite a few drone photographers on Instagram, which is where I came across Alistair. 'I could see from the images that he was posting that he was involved in the construction industry. "I initially thought that I would buy some of his photographs, but then realised it would work quite well as a creative collaboration because he could provide quite a lot of insight into the new-build market in Glasgow.' The new Sighthill Bridge over the M8 motorway is featured in the book Glasgow From Above. (Image: Alistair Leith) Mr Leith, a licensed drone operator in Glasgow, said: "The city has changed massively over the last 25 years. "I've been very lucky to have been involved with quite a few big projects, like Buchanan Wharf, Candleriggs and Central Quay. I feel a very personal connection to the buildings I've been involved with myself.' 'I absolutely love working in the construction industry. I know about most of the new buildings that have gone up in Glasgow, who built them and the architects who worked on them." The book traces the origins of the city's 21st century transformation back to the early 1980s, when the city was still suffering from the decline of traditional industries like shipbuilding and engineering, but decided to mount a 'Glasgow's Miles Better' marketing campaign which gained worldwide recognition. Key moments in the run-up to the millennium highlighted include the staging of the Glasgow Garden Festival on the south bank of the River Clyde in 1988, Glasgow's year-long spell in the limelight in 1990 as the UK's first European Capital of Culture, and its designation as the UK's City of Architecture and Design in 1999. Alistair Leith and Rosalie Menon worked together on the book. (Image: Supplied) The book credits the city's Scotland With Style campaign, which was unveiled in 2004, and its successor, People Make Glasgow, launched nine years later, with helping to change Glasgow's image since the turn of the century. The impact of Glasgow's designation as a UNESCO City of Music in 2008, the opening of the Hydro arena in 2013, the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid pandemic, which forced the city into lockdown into 2020, are all highlighted. Writing in the book, Ms Menon says: 'The completion of the first quarter of the 21st century seems a good point to take stock of Glasgow and reflect upon the significant sociopolitical events in the last 25 years which have impacted the city and its investments. 'Having decisively moved away from its industrial and manufacturing roots, Glasgow rebranded itself as a city open to investment and innovation. The 21st century transformation of Glasgow is explored. (Image: Alistair Leith) 'Key sectors such as media, the creative industries and higher education were central to this strategic repositioning. 'One of the city's primary objectives became the repopulation of its urban core. With that came a notable rise in social and cultural diversity, reinforcing Glasgow's identity as a modern, inclusive city. 'Many of the city's disused industrial buildings found new life as galleries, studios and performance spaces, symbolising the broader cultural regeneration taking place.' The changes in the Candleriggs area are explored. (Image: Alistair Leith) Glasgow From Above examines the impact of new developments in the Gorbals, Sighthill, Maryhill, Laurieston and Govan, the transformation of the Merchant City, Charing Cross, Candleriggs, the Broomielaw and Finnieston, and debates over the future of Sauchiehall Street and the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre. Also featured are the conversion of religious buildings into cultural venues like Cottiers and Oran Mor, new bridges connecting Finnieston with Govan, Partick with Govan, and Sighthill with the centre, and new office developments for the likes of Barclays, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. The book explores the key role played by the city's universities and colleges in shaping 21st century Glasgow, including the evolution of a 'knowledge quarter' near Glasgow Cathedral and George Square. The Hydro and the Armadillo are among the venues featured. (Image: Alistair Leith) Ms Menon writes: 'New biomedical and technological research centres, alongside a growing ecosystem of university spin-outs – particularly from Strathclyde and Glasgow universities – have helped establish Glasgow as a leading player in the knowledge economy. 'The expansion of the higher education sector has brought profound changes to Glasgow's social dynamics, most notably through the influx of a large international student population. To accommodate this growth, institutions invested heavily in new research centres, teaching facilities and infrastructure – contributions that not only supported academic excellence but also injected substantial capital into the local economy. 'Accompanying this academic expansion was a rapid surge in demand for student accommodation. The city's skyline has been increasingly defined by high-density, purpose-built student housing developments, which have become a hallmark of 21st century Glasgow.' Glasgow's transformation is celebrated in the new book. (Image: Alistair Leith) The book, which features images of vast construction sites, describes Glasgow as 'a city in flux' and constantly evolving 'heal the scars of its post-industrial past.' Ms Menon said: 'We talk in the book about Glasgow being a 'work in progress and the phrase that got banded about for many years, that Glasgow would be 'great when it is finished.' That is still applicable to elements of the city. 'There is a lot of criticism of Glasgow at the moment, especially around Sauchiehall Street. 'It marketed itself for a long time as a retail destination, but the retail sector was really significantly hit by Covid and the industry going online. 'That has coincided with the Avenues programme in the city centre, which has gone at quite a slow pace and has meant that some people just see disruption. 'One of the aims of the book is to show Glasgow in a new light. 'It doesn't try to be a glossy marketing thing. But I think it really lifts Glasgow, not just in terms of the city centre, but in the way it acknowledges the investment that has gone into residential neighbourhoods like Dalmarnock, Sighthill, Laurieston and the Gorbals. 'One of the key elements of the book is how it looks at the new routes and connections that have recently been created in the city. The drone photography can really identify where these have been made, and how communities and regenerated area are now connected to the city centre.' Read more: Glasgow From Above is optimistic about the impact of a new 'tall building' policy which could see skyscrapers emerge from areas like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, the Trongate and Cowcaddens. Ms Menon said: 'From an economic point of view, tall buildings have to happen to make a lot of sites work. I would rather see that happening than sites lying empty or derelict for long periods of time. 'It is probably better that they are clustered in particular areas of the city, rather than take an interspersed approach which might potentially block existing vistas or be to the detriment of the skyline. I would generally see them as a positive thing. Mr Leith said: 'Glasgow needs to change. The very worst thing would be to have big, empty gap sites in the city for the next 20 years. It would be an absolute tragedy. 'It wouldn't do Glasgow any good and it wouldn't do the people of Glasgow any good.' It is hoped that the book will persuade Glaswegians to venture into parts of the city they have never previously visited. Ms Menon added: 'I think we tend to live and work in our own little bubbles, and commute using the same routes. 'People may have preconceptions about places, but when they visit they will see that there are hidden gems there.'

Daily Mirror

20 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Pop icon crying as crazed fan grabs her and tries to pull off stage

EXCLUSIVE: Suzi Quatro has just turned 75, but she's got the energy and enthusiasm of a twenty-something and tells us about the secret to her three-decade long marriage — and a terrifying encounter with an overzealous fan She's the original queen of rock and roll — a legend who many female stars credit for opening doors to women in music. Suzi Quatro has just turned 75, but she's got the energy and enthusiasm of a twenty-something — and she can still rock a tight leather jumpsuit while wielding her trusty bass guitar. Deliciously straight-talking, the star is as passionate about performing as when she first stepped onto the stage, aged just 14, playing the bongos with her sisters in the trio The Pleasure Seekers. ‌ Here, the Detroit native, who has been married to German concert promoter Rainer Haas since 1993, tells us about her 2026 UK tour, the secret to her three-decade long marriage — and a terrifying encounter with an overzealous fan. ‌ You turned 75 recently — you look amazing! Ha ha, thank you. I'm still convinced they got the date wrong on my birth certificate. I'm proud to be 75, but I'm young at heart. I had a party but I don't drink much any more. Eventually you get to a point where you say, I've been there, had the monster hangover, and the thrill's gone. Do you ever feel bored not drinking at parties? No, because I'm a people person. I find my way into the conversation. I'm a Gemini. Geminis are ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, which says it all. And there's no middle ground with me — I'm either crazy up and excited, or I'm down. I never have an even keel. We keep people on their toes. Don't ever second-guess a Gemini, because you won't win. You've been married to husband Rainer for 32 years. What's your secret? ‌ We live in separate countries! That is definitely a factor. I was 24/7 with my first husband, who was also my guitar player. Nice as that was, sometimes it wasn't. The main ingredient is trust and respect. We're soulmates, basically. I'm an optimist and he's a pessimist. We balance each other out. You and Rainer work together, too. How do you find that? Yes, he's my manager but I refuse to use the 'M' word in front of him! We enjoy missing each other, then getting together. Some people ask how we make that work, but it works for us. But the main ingredient to any successful relationship is not to expect the other person to 'complete' you. You have to be whole yourself. ‌ Tell us about your tour next year. What can fans expect? I'm celebrating 62 years in the business next year. It's a big tour across the UK — an entertaining two-hour rock and roll show with all the hits and a few surprises. I play the piano, drums and a seven-minute bass solo... I take you on a journey through my life. I talk a little, but I don't do Adele. She talks more than she sings, and she's very good at it. ‌ You must need to be in peak fitness for a big tour… I'm the rehearsal queen. I rehearse as if it was a live show, running around. If I'm not working, then I make sure I'm going to the gym. It means on stage, I still have that energy. Is life on the road a bit more sedate these days? ‌ I've partied, had the odd room wreck — but I was never a sex, drugs and rock and roll girl. I was brought up in a musical family. My dad told me aged 15, 'Suzi, you've found what you want to do in life. This is a profession. If there's 10 people or 10,000 in the audience, everyone's paid to see you, and you owe them.' That's always been embedded in me. You're also working on a new album… I am. Alice Cooper agreed to do a track on it. We recorded it in Detroit last year. I've known him since I was a teenager and he's so different from his stage persona that I can't watch him live. That's not the guy I know! We're close friends, he's a lovely guy. ‌ Is there anyone else you'd love to collaborate with? Rod Stewart. He's headed to Glastonbury this summer. They've asked me a couple of times, but the offer was silly. I'm better than that. It's not even about the money — after 61 years, I want the respect that I deserve, but I'd be happy to do it. What are your most memorable concerts? ‌ The first gig I did in Germany in 1973 — the first big show where thousands of people had paid to see me and were screaming, going nuts. My 50th birthday at a gig in Berlin was cool — when you hear Happy Birthday sung by 22,000 people, you hear it! That feeling never gets old. It's a legal high. ‌ What's a wild fan memory? In Germany recently I had taken my bass off towards the end of a show. Walking along the front, people were high-fiving me — but one girl grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go and tried to pull me off the stage. And she was strong. I was really scared — I was crying. What did you do? ‌ I backed up and sat down on the flight case I use, so nobody saw anything. I sang my final song and, as soon as I finished, a sound engineer came on, wrapped a towel around me and walked me offstage. But I was thinking, what kind of person thinks that's OK? I could have broken my neck. Has being a woman in a male-dominated industry changed over the years? I'll take to my grave that I was the first female rock musician to have worldwide success. There are many more female musicians today, but they tend to be too influenced by male opinion. Sometimes, women go out there in outfits close to soft porn. I wore a jumpsuit, but I showed no flesh. You don't have to strip off to be sexy. Work for it, buddy! ‌ Your seventh book, Grave Undertakings, came out in April. Can you tell us more about it? It did, and people are going crazy! It's caused so much discussion. I was a graveyard dweller as a kid through to adulthood. It's fascinating, reading tombstones. In my twenties I came up with the title and started collecting tombstone inscriptions, and did it for 35 years to assemble a book. Then I realised this would work as a novel. Can you fill us in on the book's plot? ‌ I've had a love of psychology my entire life. If you're mad at me, I want to know why. So I came up with a plot about six psychology students. It takes you through their lives, you get 20 lessons in psychology, and the pay-off is the tombstone inscriptions. That's all I can say. So, what would your own tombstone inscription say, Suzi? One side would say, 'Now I get it!' and the other, 'Too many dreams, too little time'. I've certainly thought about my life more over the last few years. I'm not going anywhere yet, though. Do you have any burning ambitions left? I would love my latest book to be made into a movie or a musical. Strictly would be fun — and I can dance! They've asked me before but the time was never right. I wouldn't do the jungle — it feels degrading. I'll watch it, though. I've realised so many dreams and I've still got so much to say. I'm happy as long as there's fire in my belly — and there's still plenty.

Daily Mirror

21 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Prince William's 'awful' gift to Kate that didn't go down to well

Prince William once recalled the very unusual present he bought for his now wife in the early days of their relationship, admitting that the bizarre gift 'didn't go down well' It's no doubt that buying gifts for a princess would be hard work, knowing she has a wardrobe and jewellery box filled with the works of the world 's best designers. The same can be said for Prince William, who has previously admitted that buying gifts for his wife hasn't always been an easy task. William has looked back on the 'awful' gift he gave to his now wife Princess Kate in the early days of their relationship, as he even admitted he didn't know why he bought it for his then girlfriend, who has 'never let him forget' the very odd choice in gift. ‌ ‌ The Prince of Wales revealed the bizarre present during an appearance on former England striker Peter Crouch's podcast on BBC Radio Five Live in 2020, during which Crouch admitted that he had once bought his wife, model Abbey Clancy, a raincoat for her birthday three years in a row. After his frank confession, William then admitted: "I did get my wife a pair of binoculars once for Christmas - she's never let me forget that. I wrapped them. They were really nice. I was trying to convince myself about it. I was like, 'But these are really amazing, look how far you can see!' She was looking at me, going, 'They're binoculars. What's going on?'' 'That was early on in the courtship that was - I think that sealed the deal. It didn't go well. Honestly, I have no idea why I bought her a pair of binoculars, it seemed like a good idea at the time." It's a well-known fact that the royal family tend not to spoil each other with lavish gifts to celebrate birthdays and Christmases, instead opting for light-hearted and silly presents. In his 2023 memoir Spare, Prince Harry revealed he once received a fish ballpoint pen from Princess Margaret, while also admitting he once gifted his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth a bath mat that read 'Ain't life a b*tch'. ‌ Kate has also previously shared that she once gifted Harry a grow-your-own-girlfriend kit, after his many years in the spotlight as an eligible bachelor before he met Meghan. The royals follow unique Christmas traditions rooted in their German heritage. Gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day, with family members placing their presents in specific piles in the afternoon before gathering at 6pm to begin the unwrapping. ‌ The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary on April 29, and are believed to have first become a couple sometime in early 2002. The pair first met during the autumn of 2001 at the University of St Andrew's in Scotland. With Prince William celebrating his 43rd birthday today, let's hope that Princess Kate has something a bit more special than binoculars to surprise him with.