10cc made some of the most innovative pop of the 1970s: melodic constructions combining glam rock, art rock, rock’n’roll and doo-wop with surreal Monty Pythonesque lyrics. Life was described as a “minestrone”, death “a cold lasagne, served up with parmesan cheese”. Sadly, their golden run suffered a jolt when Kevin Godley and Lol Creme left in 1976 to become a highly successful duo, with co-founder Eric Stewart heading for the exit almost two decades later.
Today, only bassist/singer Graham Gouldman, 79, remains from the original quartet – 2.5cc, if you will. However, with 70s-era live guitarist Rick Fenn still in the band and young drummer Ben Stone bringing a new energy, the current incarnation make a fine tribute. Singer Iain Hornal proves a match for Stewart’s formidable falsetto, and shares 10cc humour. He points out that 10cc wrote Old Wild Men when “you couldn’t imagine a group of guys touring the world in their 60s and 70s”. Titters abound, although in this context, the song itself is oddly moving.
