Quotes from Shakin' Stevens

I have done big festivals all over Europe with hip hops acts and everything else.

Hot Dog' had been my first hit in the U.K., but it was 'Marie Marie' that really changed things.

Dad was in the First World War in the Royal Field Artillery from 1914 to 1918, as well as uncle Leonard.

I had a positive remark from Johnny Rotten, would you believe? He said I was a fantastic singer. Not a lot of people know stuff like that.

Mickey Gee will be remembered for his guitar playing by the public and true fellow musicians.

I always thought it would be nice to have a Christmas number one. If nobody remembers you for the rest of the year, they'll remember you at Christmas.

From country rock to Cajun, classic rock to Latin, and blues to Americana, I've had the pleasure of re-discovering the 'jewels' from my repertoire that are so well-liked.

I had a heart attack and it was touch and go. I was in intensive care, my body was frozen. I had an ice cap and had to get a pacemaker. I was in hospital for nearly two months.

I've met an 18-month-old baby whose dad says the child likes banging his toy hammer on the furniture when my songs are playing and I've met grandmothers who've bought all my discs.

I don't think I look like him at all. There is only one Elvis and there Is only one Shakin' Stevens and I'm getting sick of people asking me that.

I have had some great interviews and some not.

I don't like to do interviews, to be honest. I hate interviews.

I knew dad was born in Yorkshire and mum was from Mountain Ash.

The Salvation Army do a lot more than sit around the Christmas tree with a band.

Someone can have a heart attack at any age. That person may only have so much time, so if there's a chance to help people in distress we should take it.

I feel like I'm a skittle. If I'm knocked down, I'll get up and try again.

Brave people such as my Uncle Leonard were willing to put themselves at risk to preserve what they valued in life and young men and women today continue to make those sacrifices for our country.

We had three small bedrooms. There were five boys in the back, top and tail, the girls in the front. Me and Leslie, the two youngest, were in with our parents. I was very happy but when they all got married and moved out Leslie and I thought we were kings.

In Australia and New Zealand I had big, big success.

I've jumped off pianos, I stopped climbing up curtains when the screws popped once and I fell to the floor like a Looney Tunes cartoon character, and ended up off for six months because of a broken ankle.

In the Eighties, I was everywhere. It was hard, because you didn't see much of your children. I missed out on that. People make sacrifices - doctors, long-distance lorry drivers - and that was mine. I wasn't left money, I had to go out and earn it.

I'm not a spendthrift. It's hard enough to earn!

Merry Christmas Everyone' went from 38 to 10, then 2, and then it hit the top spot, by which time the rereleased Band Aid single was at No 3.

I used to go to Caerphilly with my brother Les, two years older than me, with my mother to see her sister, Gladys. When they wanted to talk we'd have to leave the room. She'd say to her husband Stan 'take them in the front room and play the piano.'