Legendary musician Bryan Ferry has revealed what life was like growing up in the North East - and where he loved to go for a pint.
Speaking with the Guardian, the singer and songwriter with band Roxy Music, who grew up in Washington, revealed his favourite boozer in Newcastle, as well as the individuals who have helped shape his career.
Ferry formed Roxy Music in 1971, with the band going on to release eight studio albums and have nine Top 10 singles.
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Many of the fan questions put to Ferry focused on Roxy Music and what the band means to him 50 years down the line. He said: "Roxy Music were the first 10 years of my career, so it’s a huge part of my life. Some of my best work was done on those albums and I was lucky to be part of such a unique group.
"The early period, especially, was very exciting, but we were always rushing to finish songs or albums and we crammed a lot into 10 years."
Ferry is one of the North East's finest exports, and fans were eager to hear about how his upbringing in the region shaped who he is today. He said: "I’m proud of my northern background, and growing up in the North East gave me a good grounding. As a family we were poor but everyone worked hard, got on with life and had a good time.
"Washington at that time was a pit village surrounded by farmland. My dad was a very quiet country guy who started life as a farm worker, ploughing fields with horses.
"He later looked after the pit ponies at the local colliery. My mother was from the town, and full of life. I learned a lot from both of them, especially that strong work ethic."
Perhaps most importantly, Ferry shared his top boozers in the city of Newcastle.
"In my student days I went to the pubs in the Bigg Market, the Lord Chancellor and the Royal Court," he said. "That had fairy lights over the bar and a great jukebox.
"Those pubs were rough – you had to watch yourself and you wouldn’t find many students there – but then we’d walk home to where we lived in Jesmond.
"I used to go there with the historian Jeremy Catto, who was teaching in Durham. He was one of my great mentors. Very intelligent – medieval history, not my field – but great fun."
