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BILLY SUTER with an occasional column in which he chats to popular musicians about their musical likes and dislikes. The spotlight is on CAT SIMONI, the popular singer-pianist who is also adept on sax and guitar. She performs We Luv Abba, her Abba tribute show, at Durban’s newly renovated Rhumbelow Theatre in Cunningham Road, Umbilo, at 8pm on Friday and Saturday (July 6 and 7) and 2pm on Sunday (July 8). Tickets cost R150 (R130 for pensioners) and booking is by calling Roland at 082 499 8636.
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Latest news from you?
Besides looking forward to my Abba show relaunching Durban’s Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo this weekend, I am performing all over the country, as usual… from Nelspruit to Wolsley.
What is your favourite song right now?
Despacito… the dentist version.
The last album you bought?
Ooh, the last album I bought was in Toeka se dae, probably something by Def Leppard. I don’t buy albums now, only singles.
Two of your favourite songs of all time?
Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
Three of the finest albums ever?
Pink Floyd’s The Wall, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours (loads of real emotion from all the marital strife) and Def Leppard’s Hysteria (every song a winner for a moody teenager).
Song you hate the most right now?
All the filthy rap schlock.
Worst song in history?
Cha La La I Need You by The Shuffles.
Song you most associate with your teens?
Love Bites by Def Leppard.
Song you most associate with your early childhood years?
I Don’t Know How to Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar.
The size of your music collection and the artists represented most there?
I don’t have a music collection, I have access to Apple Music, so everything on there is mine! Queen, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell are among favourites. Also, the Eagles, Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Engelbert Humperdinck.
Favourite radio station and DJ?
KFm 94.5’s morning show trio, Darren Sherlin and Sibs. I listen to them on the school run.
The local artists you most admire?
Mi Casa and Die Antwoord.
Artists from abroad that you most admire?
Amy Winehouse and Coldplay.
Most over-rated people in the recording business?
DJs.
Pet hate/s about the music scene in South Africa?
They always want to stick you into a colour box… your act is not black enough, you need to sing with a black singer, or you need to do Babes Wodumo. No I don’t – Babes does Babes!
The one music act you would give the world to see perform live?
Queen. Not possible though.
Ever asked a music personality for an autograph?
No.
Music acts you have seen live and loved?
Ben Harper, Steely Dan, Radiohead, REM, Sting and The Cranberries.
Best singing star ever?
Ella Fitzgerald.
The greatest musician of all time?
Sting and Prince.
Best band in history?
Steely Dan.
The styles of music you most enjoy – and least enjoy?
I love jazz, rock, swing, folk and country. I least enjoy hip-hop, rap, electronica, emo and heavy metal,
The most embarrassing artist represented in your music collection – and why is it there?
The Ketchup Song by Las Ketchup. I have it because someone actually requested it at a dance party.
The one song that will always be guaranteed to get you on to a dancefloor?
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.
The musical teaming you would most like to see?
Sting and Coldplay.
Your choice of karaoke song?
Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats. It is such a vicious song about trashing a man’s car. I’d like to sing it just to see the looks on faces.
The first song you ever performed for an audience?
Schubert’’s Die Forelle.
Guilty pleasure: a song you really feel you shouldn’t enjoy, but secretly do?
Havana by Camila Cabello.
Worst decade for music?
The 2000s.
Instruments you can play?
Piano, sax, violin and guitar.
The song you’d like to be played at your funeral?
Monyy Python’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.
The song you find the saddest (and why)?
Baby Mine from Dumbo… childhood Disney trauma.
Two dead icons you’d most like to invite to dinner?
Freddie Mercury and Ella Fitzgerald.
.....SoSuterBill..... 