the last word
Jimmy Somerville came to fame with Bronski Beat’s 1984
hit Smalltown Boy. A passionate defender of gay rights and long-time supporter
of the Food Chain and other HIV organisations, he opens up here to Marcel
Wiel
It must have been mad when you first hit the big time with Bronski
Beat? Did everyone want to shag you?
Well, yeah, but I wasn’t complaining. It was kind of fun. Then ‘boom’,
I sold my soul and that was the scary part. But my values didn’t change;
I still stick by those. With Bronski Beat and The Communards, I was able to
voice my personal experiences about being gay and what was then called HTVL3,
the emotional and personal effects of that, an ignorant wider public and the
media that was using the situation to sell more papers. One of my proudest
moments was when The Communards were interviewed by Smash Hits and we talked
about Aids.
How long have you been involved with the Food Chain?
I’ve been a catering volunteer for about six years. I’m also a
patron and perform at benefits to promote the organisation. It’s wonderful
to see how it’s grown into the huge network it now is. But it makes
me sad that feeding people who can’t afford to eat is left up to volunteers.
The benefits system should be for people who need it, not for bombing Iraq.
What other HIV organisations have you been involved in?
I was a founding member of Act-Up London and made lots of friends thanks to
travelling and touring a lot. Also, as a gay man, you make friends who start
off as fucks. But I’ve got a crap memory and can’t concentrate
for too long, so I restrict myself to what I can do best. My contribution
comes from a humanist point of view. I feel the discrimination [around HIV
and sexuality] is shocking. In the public’s mind, HIV still equals gay
and promiscuity.
What do you think of Tony Blair?
He’s becoming just like Margaret Thatcher. I was never that keen on
him, but that ended with this war, which I think was a pile of shit. I’m
so angry that he’s made me more of a target as a European - look at
me. I’m ginger! So much of the money we need for this country has gone
to bombing the fuck out of Iraq.
Apart from supporting organisations like the Food Chain, what are
you up to these days?
I’m on a German record label and I’m putting out an album soon.
I’m 43 and living the life, watching the world go by.
What do you do in your spare time?
I go cycling. I’ve just moved to Brighton so I go cycling a lot on the
sea front. I fly kites.
What’s you idea of the perfect date?
It all goes on chemistry. It’s never going to be perfect if the chemistry
isn’t there when you first clock each other. If there’s that special
little spark, you’ve got something that can be worked on. You don’t
need to be so guarded because you have a connection. That’s a perfect
date.
Is there a better half knocking around?
There are plenty of people knocking on my door but no one in particular. Basically
I’ve always been a slut and always will be. The man who tames my heart
will probably be the undertaker who nails my coffin shut, because then there’ll
be no more dropped pants for me.
How would you woo somebody?
That’s a hard one. Again, it comes down to chemistry. If I felt comfortable
with somebody the real me would come out. I would probably sparkle. If you
sparkle for someone that woos them, definitely.
