10cc’s Graham Gouldman brings his ‘Heart Full of Songs’ gig to The Apex

In between 10cc’s bi-annual tours, the band’s co-founder Graham Gouldman (pictured above) takes his “Heart Full of Songs” on the road which is coming to The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds, early next month.

The singer and songwriter formed what became “Heart Full of Songs” over 10 years ago, purely for the pleasure of playing his songs in their simplest form.

The format became so popular that it adopted a name and undertook its first stand-alone concert tour in 2013, touring again the following year.

The “|Heart Full of Songs” line-up comprises Graham, 10cc live band members Iain Hornal and Keith Hayman, and Dave Cobby.

The semi-acoustic four-piece performs a broad spread of Graham’s songs, including chart hits for 10cc, the Hollies, Herman’s Hermits, the Yardbirds, Jeff Beck and, of course, tracks from Graham’s acclaimed solo albums.

He played with various Manchester bands before forming The Mockingbirds in 1965 (with Kevin Godley on drums), and when the record label Columbia rejected Graham’s first single composition for the band, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

The song, “For Your Love”, became a huge hit for The Yardbirds.

Working by day in a men’s outfitters shop and playing by night with his band, Graham went on to write a string of hits, such as “Pamela, Pamela” for Wayne Fontana, “For Your Love”, “Evil Hearted You” and “Heart Full of Soul” (The Yardbirds), “Bus Stop” and “Look Through Any Window” (The Hollies), “No Milk Today” and “Listen People” (Herman’s Hermits) and “Tallyman” for Jeff Beck.

In 1972, along with Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, Graham formed 10cc and enjoyed a string of Top 10 hits, including three No.1s – “Rubber Bullets”, “I’m Not In Love” and “Dreadlock Holiday” – along with “Donna”, “Art For Art’s Sake”, “The Things We Do For Love”, “I’m Mandy Fly Me” and “The Wall Street Shuffle”.

Graham’s status as one of the world’s leading songwriters was acknowledged with his induction into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame at a special ceremony in New York.

Graham Gouldman and his band will play at The Apex on Friday, March at 7, 7.30pm.

See www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for more information, or to book tickets.