What is the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Liverpool?
It could be the city’s vital role in forming transatlantic trade links, the locals’ famous ‘scouse’ accent or even the recently-crowned soccer champions Liverpool City Football Club.
The first answer, however, will usually always be music. Why? Well, look no further than songwriter Tony Waddington as an example of the type of talent that’s originated from Merseyside.
The 77-year-old is a true legend of Liverpool. Now – as an ode to his hometown – he’s written a brand new track titled Liverpool Bay. It’s Tony’s latest release following a life full of contributions to the music industry (many of which can be traced back to his early days in Liverpool).
Liverpool Bay – which is out now – is performed by Tony and produced by himself and Dan Donovan. It’s a track that’s full of heart and obviously very personal. In a world where music can now often be more about style and less about substance, there’s something incredibly poignant about this new track.
You only have to look at the chorus to really feel a sense of this. It goes: “I remember my mum’s radio, and the tunes it used to play, and I remember ships that sailed, across the Liverpool Bay.” This is one of the more moving lines, as well as one of the many that make the song stand out.
It’s all very reflective, taking the listener back on a journey through Tony’s youth from the perspective of his adult self. This is all the more powerful when you consider the depth of memories that Tony – who was born and bred in Liverpool – most likely has to draw upon when putting pen to paper. One verse goes: “I feel young somehow but I know I’m older now, I remember when I was happy then.”
This song is sorrowful, but like any strong piece of music it has the ability to convey a strong range of emotions during its four-minute length. In particular, you can certainly pick up on themes of regret when you hear words such as: “Now it’s in the past, shame it didn’t last, guess we never know the way it’s gonna go.”
Don’t be mistaken into thinking that this is a song that can only be appreciated if you have ties to Liverpool. It’s a wonderfully written piece of music that wouldn’t be out of place on any playlist, no matter where you come from or where you reside.
In fact, it actually transcends Liverpool – especially as the world adjusts to life during a pandemic. While it’s true that this a love letter to Liverpool, the song is sure to carry a lot of weight for those who have been separated from their hometown due to lockdown or those who are feeling a new sense of local pride after quarantining.
So, what is there to know about Tony Waddington and his links to Liverpool? It’s fair to say that there are plenty of reasons why he’s fond of the city where he grew up and first made those all-important strides in the music industry.
Tony was fortunate to have a number of musical inspirations growing up – whether it was those family members who played instruments or his exposure to choral singing while attending a local Catholic school. It wasn’t long until he learned to play the piano and was tutored in classical guitar.
Reflecting upon the time when music was really beginning to form his personality and – eventually – set him on track for an impressive career, Tony said: “I was quite young when I realised that the popular songs of the day that I adored, had some kind of magical indefinable quality about them. So, I began to analyse why one was more enjoyable than another.”
Tony was clearly talented from childhood because at the age of 12 he was invited to teach guitar to adults at Liverpool College. This would be a highlight for many pre-teens, but the young prodigy was already gathering accolades under his belt by this point – including a performance at the Royal Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool.
The best, however, was yet to come. After making a name for himself by gigging in bars around his beloved Liverpool, Tony ended up as part of the band Lee Curtis and the All-Stars. This would eventually put him alongside Pete Best, who prior to joining All-Stars was one of the Beatles, acting as the drummer.
Once again, this wouldn’t be the pinnacle for Tony. He went on to pen some of the most memorable songs of his generation, including the track Sugar Baby Love. The song was well received and went to number one when it was released by The Rubettes in 1974. It was the first of many tracks he wrote for the group, including hits such as Juke Box Jive and I Can Do It.
Tony seemingly relished his role in writing and producing music for others, as well as helping his fellow artists reach new heights. In 1975, he made this a full-time project by co-founding the record label State Records.
In its early years alone the label’s recording studio went on to welcome a who’s who of the 70s and beyond, including Cliff Richard, Roxy Music, The Who, and Kate Bush.
This is all worth considering when listening to Liverpool Bay. Tony’s clearly had a fast-paced and action-packed career, with his own journey into the music industry being linked with some of the brightest stars of the last five decades.
But – instead of writing about more glitzy places like London, New York and Los Angeles – he uses his new single to shine a light on his cherished Liverpool. This is certainly worth remembering when you listen to the track, so bear this in mind because it will likely heighten your own experience and give you a greater understanding of how a person’s roots can shape them for life.