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Disco Music > Disco People Index > Artists-Producers... > Tina Charles
Tina Charles
British Disco Singer (b. March 10th 1954 - Present)
This is a two part article on Disco singer Tina Charles. The first half is a brief interview conducted with Tina Charles by Bernard Lopez of DiscoMusic.com (July 2007) while the second half is a DiscoMusic.com member submission by a former Disco DJ, VinylJunkie.
Tina Charles Interview by Bernard Lopez (DiscoMusic.com)
Hi Tina,
My name is Bernard Lopez and I am the owner/publisher of the oldest and largest site on Disco called DiscoMusic.com. I have always been a fan of yours so it would be a great pleasure to ask a few questions about your music career:
DiscoMusic.com: Could you give the readers of DiscoMusic.com a little background as to where and when you where born and a little about your family? Tina Charles: I was born on 10th March 1954 in London, I took my fathers forename Charles as my stage name. My family are all Londoners, I had a fantastic upbringing.
DiscoMusic.com: Although I understand you are from England, you always struck me as having a Mediterranean look. What is your families ethnicity?
Tina Charles: My family heritage is from London, although it has been reported incorrectly that I am of Greek descent.
DiscoMusic.com: I have to say that I love your voice and the "feel-good" energy behind it. Thank you for giving us some truly memorable songs. How were you introduced to music and when did you decide to make it your livelihood?
Tina Charles: I went to stage school, from there started to make demos when I was 15 years with Elton John and realised I would become a professional.
DiscoMusic.com: Could you tell us how you became involved with 5000 Volts? Tina Charles: It was two friends Martin and Tony, I recorded it for a session fee for only £200.
DiscoMusic.com: Many may not know this, but you worked early on with Trevor Horn. How did you meet and do you still keep in touch?
Tina Charles: Trevor Horn and I go back a long way we were partners in the 70’s. I most recently sang at his “Producers” gigs with Lol Creme, Chris Brade, Ash Colke and Steve Lipson at the Jazz Cafe
in London in July 2007.
DiscoMusic.com: What prompted you to go solo?
Tina Charles: I was always solo, however because I did was a session singer I was booked for all sorts of work.
DiscoMusic.com: You were extremely popular during the 1970s, did you have any challenges balancing your personal life and career?
Tina Charles: It was hard not seeing my son Max walking and talking for the first time, he has turned out a fantastic adult, I am proud to be a Grandmother to his 3 boys Josh, Alex and Zak.
DiscoMusic.com: Please tell us how you met up with Biddu and how was it working with him. Are you still in contact with him?
Tina Charles: Yes I am still in contact with Biddu and we met through a session singer called Lee Vanderbilt.
DiscoMusic.com: What is your favorite song from your solo career and why?
Tina Charles: I just love “Go” and really enjoyed recording it.
DiscoMusic.com: Which song was your biggest single as far as sales go?
Tina Charles: “I Love To Love.”
DiscoMusic.com: Is there any unreleased material from that time that still hasn't seen the light of day and why?
Tina Charles: I recorded “Blame it on the Boogie" before Michael Jackson, Sony said it was not a strong enough song.
DiscoMusic.com: What are your feelings on Disco?
Tina Charles: I just love it.
DiscoMusic.com: Are you still performing today and do you have any new releases due out?
Tina Charles: I am still performing and have just recorded a new album “Listen 2 the Music” which consists of my favourite songs. The album is available on iTunes and Amazon.
DiscoMusic.com: What are your hobbies and interests outside music?
Tina Charles: I love cooking, dinning out and socialising with my dear friends.
I regularly look after my grandchildren and love my dogs Monty, Suzie and Porcha.
DiscoMusic.com: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans at DiscoMusic.com?
Tina Charles: Thank you so much for your support, I send big hugs
DiscoMusic.com: Tina, thanks so much for taking time out to speak with DiscoMusic.com. All your fans here wish you the best and say, "Dance, Little Lady, Dance!"
Listing of Tina Charles entries at DiscoMusic.com.
The End.
- Bernard F. Lopez [Disco Music.com]
Tina Charles Bio
Tina Hoskins was born in 1954 to British Actor Charles Hoskins and his wife. Her brother is Warren Hoskins. this beautiful singer started as an ELTON JOHN back-up singer in 1969.
Tina Charles then got involved in the DISCO movement. She was the lead vocalist for 5000 VOLTS' 1975 hit I'M ON FIRE. She wasn't officially part of the band and didn't get the recognition she deserved. That came soon enough, when Indian-British composer and producer BIDDU got her started for real with I LOVE TO LOVE (BUT MY BABY LOVES TO DANCE). This song went to the top of the British DISCO charts. Then it arrived in New York City, where JIMMY BURGESS, ED "THE WORM" ROTHSTEIN and PETE DENIS broke Tina Charles' record in BIG APPLE clubs.
Tina followed that with DANCE LITTLE LADY DANCE and YOU SET MY HEART ON FIRE. The DISCO market was now in love with TINA'S sultry, seductive sound. In 1975 and 1976 she was on the charts for over 42 streight weeks. By 1979 DISCO and her career was on the decline. that is when Tina Charles married and started a family. Her devotion to them was the priority in her life, and it took several years before in the mid-eighties she attempted a comeback.
Sanny X produced a re-mix of I LOVE TO LOVE that met with moderate success. Since 2000 Tina Charles has been a popular live performer in England and Europe with an impressively strong following. This sexy vocalist had a top 5 DANCE hit called HIGHER and recently was singing SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM in concerts across EUROPE. In October 2007 she released HIDE AND SEEK produced by IAN LEVINE for her album DISCO 2008. A new LISTEN TO THE MUSIC is due to be released in March of 2008. Tina Charles will always be remembered as that SEXY English singer whose smile melted the hearts of many men. DISCO was much better when she was around.
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COMMENTS ON Tina Charles
Great Interview Bernie..
Thanks to you and Tina...
lots of info I never knew..
Dayna
Tina is one of Germany's leading Disco Queens, there is no 70's show without
Tina Charles or 5000 Volts she has and still lights up the rooms and fills the dance floor with her music. RTL Televison just has voted her # 6 out
of the top 20 Disco stars ever!
Good luck with the new album,
amazing vocals and great songs selection.
Any remixes planed?
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