HAVE you ever wondered what happens to those bands you saw on Top of The Pops, the ones that had that one big hit, that hit that the whole world knows? What happens to that band when the follow-up single bombs and they never cruise at those heady heights of success again?
Doctor and the Medics, formed by DJ Clive Jackson in London in 1982 playing a mix of goth, glam and neo-psychedelic, hit the Number One spot with ‘Spirit in The Sky’ in 1986. A follow up single, a cover of ABBA’s ‘Waterloo’, barely made top 50 and the hits dried up.
But that’s not the whole story and Doctor and the Medics are busier than ever today, touring and about to release new music. Limerick Post chatted to Clive Jackson (aka The Doctor) this week.
“We went on our merry way for many years, and towards the end of the 90s, we were dead in the water,” Clive remembers.
“We couldn’t buy a gig. Nobody wanted to know us. We did only six shows that year.”
A call from a pub-gigs tour manager to start playing the cover versions circuit was a lifeline thrown to the band. Clive was on board, the rest of the band were not.
“The band were not interested. The guitarist’s words were – ‘If you can take the rotting carcass of this band and flog it and make a bit of money, do it with all our blessings!”
With a new line up, the band carried on and built up and built up. Peppering their set with 1980s’ party starters like ‘Kids in America’ and ‘Love Shack’, the new line up is now in its 25th year. The band ‘Medic Up’ their covers to give them their unique sound. The guys in the band encouraged Clive to start dropping some originals into the set.
“We are making an album. We are developing new stuff. And when the moment is right, we do play our original set again. It’s gone full circle. We are busy and loving it.”
Clive featured in Steven M. Smith’s movie ‘The Howling’ (2018), as a 476 year-old dead German baron, He felt a little typecast by that.
Clive has a co-write credit for ‘Grimly Fiendish’ by The Damned (1985) and he is back writing new songs for his band. On the 1980s’ revival circuit, Clive is MC of choice. His moniker ‘The Doctor’ comes from his days DJing, spinning records in the early 80s’ psychedelic revival.
“It was my revenge on the medical profession. I didn’t get accepted for Medicine in college. It might have to do with the fact I had cropped pink hair at the time!”
The Forever Young Festival which features a huge line up of 1980s’ hitmakers is the band’s next gig in Ireland. The festival is organised to raise money for animal welfare charities and to throw a huge 80’s party.
Clive Jackson will compare the festival which features a veritable who’s who in 1980s’ pop music. The line up reads like a compilation album or the best episode of Top of the Pops ever. On the bill is The Human League, Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood), Level 42, Kim Wilde, Jimmy Somerville (The Communards/ Bronski Beat), Marc Almond (Soft Cell), Bonnie Tyler, Midge Ure (Ultravox), Thompson Twins and Heaven 17, T’Pau, Big Country, From the Jam, Imagination, Toyah, Hazel O’Connor and Katrina (& The Waves).
“They have gone into this all guns blazing,” says the Doctor.
“They have pulled out all the stops. Everyone on there, I’d go see them in their own right, let alone all together in one festival.
“And it is all for a good cause. It’s nice to do something where you made a bit of a difference.”
So with that lineup of 80s legends, will there be lots of big hair and a spike in hair spray sales?
Laughs, “Expect a big hole in the ozone layer!
“Though, most people on the bill have grown old gracefully. I haven’t. I’ll still have the big hair and the glam clothing.”
Doctor and the Medics, will perform at Forever Young Festival happening at Palmerstown House Estate, Kildare on Friday July 5 – Sunday July 7.
