ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
Des Tong’s musical education began early — learning double bass in Manchester before moving into soul bands, backing visiting American artists and becoming a busy session player. By his late teens he was already touring Europe, and his career would take him from working with The Real Thing and Jimmy Helms to sharing a tour with The Jacksons.
In this conversation, Des talks about the experiences that shaped him as a musician, the unexpected studio sessions that led to him joining Sad Café in 1981 and the relationship the band still has with its remarkably loyal audience. He also looks forward — discussing new music from the current lineup and why Sad Café needs to remain a living, creative band rather than simply revisiting its past.
“When will you realise that you will never make a living from music? So there’s my first challenge in life.”
IN THIS CONVERSATION
01
A MUSICAL EDUCATION IN MANCHESTER
Learning double bass at eleven, discovering soul music and ignoring the teacher who told Des he would never make a living from music.
02
LEARNING ON THE ROAD
Backing Inez and Charlie Foxx and Fontella Bass, touring Europe with The Chants and learning to arrive prepared for almost anything.
03
SESSIONS, SOUL & THE JACKSONS
Manchester’s session scene, playing on an early Lisa Stansfield recording and sharing a dressing room with The Jacksons during their UK tour.
04
jOINING SAD CAFÉ
A phone call from Paul Young, an evening at Strawberry Studios and two sessions that unexpectedly turned into an album, a tour and a place in the band.
05
MORE THAN A HERITAGE BAND
Keeping Sad Café alive through changing lineups while respecting the songs and the fiercely loyal audience that has stayed with the band for decades.
06
WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER
New Sad Café material, an unexpected second career writing fiction and turning decades of stories from Britain’s music scene into books and live shows.
