Madness have revealed their first impressions of frontman Suggs after the singer auditioned for the band back in 1977.
Regaling stories from their 40-year career together in a new ITV docuseries,Before We Was We: Madness by Madness, the band's keyboardist Mike Barson revealed his first thought about Suggs was 'he's alright'.
Graham McPherson, who is best known by his nickname Suggs, joined the band in 1977 after he auditioned with See You Later Alligator.
Recalling the audition in a newly released trailer, Mike, better known as Barso, explained: 'Somehow he sort of fitted.
'I mean it wasn't like "Wow, you know, the voice or old blue eyes is back". It's sort of like "Oh he is alright". I mean that's what a lot of this was like.'
Madness have revealed their first impressions of frontman Suggs were 'he's alright' as ITV release a first look at new docuseries Before We Was We: Madness by Madness
Graham McPherson, who is best known by his nickname Suggs, joined the band in 1977 after he auditioned with See You Later Alligator
It was Suggs' charisma rather than his singing ability which secured him a place in the band, as saxophonist Lee Thompson added: 'I do remember thinking this guy is pretty charismatic.
'He's got that touch of Ian Dury about him. I am pretty sure we have got that frontman that we needed.'
Remembering how he felt the day he headed to the audition, Suggs joked: 'I remember being scared so I took Chalky my best mate with me.
'I don't know what I thought he was going to do, punch them if they didn't like my singing or something.'
After joining the band, Madness went on to huge success,settingthe record for the biggest audience ever for the BBC’s Live New Year’s Eve Broadcast which was also the most watched TV music event of 2018.
The group also performed on top of Buckingham Palace as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.
The docuseries traces the humble beginnings of the band who then went on to secure 10 UK top ten albums, 15 top ten singles and win a multitude of awards including a prestigious Ivor Novello.
Featuring three 60 minute episodes, the programme features original footage and interviews with band members past and present including Chris Foreman, Mike 'Barso' Barson, Lee 'Thommo' Thompson, Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, Daniel 'Woody' Woodgate, Mark 'Bedders' Bedford and Carl 'Chas Smash' Smyth.
Recalling the audition in a newly released trailer, Mike, better known as Barso, explained: 'Somehow he sort of fitted. I mean it wasn't like "Wow, you know, the voice or old blue eyes is back". It's sort of like "Oh he is alright". I mean that's what a lot of this was like'
It was Suggs' charisma rather than his singing ability which secured him a place in the band, as saxophonist Lee Thompson added: 'I do remember thinking this guy is pretty charismatic'
The docuseries traces the humble beginnings of the band who then went on to secure 10 UK top ten albums, 15 top ten singles and win a multitude of awards including a prestigious Ivor Novello
Remembering how he felt the day he headed to the audition, Suggs joked: 'I remember being scared so I took Chalky my best mate with me'
Set during a time of cultural and political upheaval, the docuseries offers a captivating insight into a post-war Britain as well as the band’s inevitable rise to the top of the charts
Featuring three 60 minute episodes, the programme fe atures original footage and interviews with band members past and present
Set during a time of cultural and political upheaval, the docuseries offers a captivating insight into a post-war Britain as well as the band’s inevitable rise to the top of the charts, pop fame and fortune against the backdrop of the ska, punk and new wave revolution.
Back in 2020, Suggs admitted his role in Madness has helped in through bad times in his life.
He explained: 'Though Madness always worked hard, we’ve never taken what we do too seriously.
'But I’ve come to realise that music for me isn’t just the tunes. It’s an emotional tool I’ve been able to use to get me through difficult times.
'It was very hard when my mum, Edwina, died in 2018. She was a club singer, but many at her funeral had never heard her perform.
'So I found an old CD she’d recorded, with the song A Foggy Day (In London Town) on it, and played it during her funeral service. That was really something for me. It became a moment of shared reflection.'
He added: 'Every day, I bump into someone who says: ‘Your songs affected my life.’ I know how they feel.
'Music, for me, is a great way of losing yourself. When you listen to it, you’re not intellectualising or over-analysing your life.'
Before We Was We: Madness by Madness is available to watch on ITVX now.
