Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri

2013 is a landmark year for Kiki Dee – which sees the English singer celebrating an astonishing 50 years in music. Everybody remembers Kiki for the 1976 world-wide smash hit with Elton John, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (which was Elton's first UK No. 1) but quite separately Kiki has established herself as one of the great British singers of all time. Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, in 1947, as Pauline Matthews, under her stage name of Kiki Dee, she began her incredible musical journey by singing with local dance bands, and after being spotted by a record company scout in 1963, Kiki was signed as a solo artist to Fontana Records. In the early 1990’s Kiki had joined forces with songwriter, producer and guitarist Carmelo Luggeri, who had worked with Bill Wyman, Julian Lennon, Andy Williams, Paul Rodgers, Kenney Jones, Ray Cooper, Chris Rea and Ralph McTell. Carmelo produced some bonus tracks for “The Very Best of Kiki Dee” album, and, having hit it off musically, they took on a new musical direction together, playing acoustic concerts, starting with an appearance at The Royal Albert Hall for World AIDS Day in 1994. Over the last 18 years, Kiki and Carmelo have successfully toured the UK and Europe with their unique acoustic-based show. Their first release in 1995 was the live album “Almost Naked”, which was recorded whilst on tour with violinist Vanessa-Mae. "It was a shock at first to perform just the two of us", said Kiki. "I remember bursting into tears after our first tour date but it soon felt good to have the freedom of working with just a voice and guitar and writing songs while on the road". In 1998 they released their most adventurous album so far, “Where Rivers Meet”, which gave them total freedom to be creative and work with musicians from India and the UK, resulting in an ambient and unusual album. The follow up, “The Walk Of Faith”, released in 2005, was a result of their enthusiastic commitment to their musical muse, regardless of fashion or trends. Kiki and Carmelo have supported The Born Free Foundation for many years, and earlier this year Kiki appeared with the SAS Band at The Concert At The Kings, a cancer charity event featuring Madeline Bell, Roger Taylor from Queen and Jeff Beck. During her career, Kiki Dee has released 39 singles, three EPs and 12 albums. Kiki's latest single 'Sidesteppin' With A Soul Man' will be her 40th single release. Kiki's 50th year as a recording artist finds her still pushing boundaries and moving forward. The title track of the new album “A Place Where I Can Go” is about the joy of music, and as the lyric says: "In the Middle of this sound is a place where I can go". www.kikiandcarmelo.com YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/KikiDeeVEVO Twitter: https://twitter.com/thekikidee