Vika Bull, singer, Let’s Get It On: The Life and Music of Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye was a deeply sensitive human being ...
Motown legend Marvin Gaye was an extraordinary talent, a man whose myth was as legendary as his music. The visionary behind hits such as ‘Sexual Healing’ and ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ lived a life full of passionate romances, political activism and personal troubles. The tales behind the tunes are now being explored in the critically acclaimed concert Let’s Get It On: The Life and Music of Marvin Gaye, which is showing at Brisbane Powerhouse until Saturday August 8. Starring ‘Australia’s first lady of Soul’ Vika Bull and Australia’s Got Talent 2012 winner Andrew De Silva, the production is a moving tribute to the one-and-only Marvin Gaye. The Weekend Edition caught up with Vika this week to chat family concerts and childhood dreams.
What’s your earliest musical memory?
Listening to the Tongans sing in church.
What was your childhood dream?
It was always to be a singer.
Can you remember the first time you performed for anybody, perhaps a school concert or family gathering?
It was for the family in our lounge room – god it was embarrassing, Mum made us do it!
Many Australians may know you from the Black Sorrows or Vika & Linda, what’s one of your favourite memories from that time?
The travel – we got to go to some pretty amazing places! Norway was my favourite place.
You’ve sung for icons including the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, and supported the likes of Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sting and Joe Cocker, but what do you consider to be your career highlight so far?
Meeting Nelson Mandela!
We’re counting down to Let’s Get It On: The Life and Music of Marvin Gaye at Brisbane Powerhouse this weekend. What can you tell us about the show?
The show is a narrative concert. We tell Marvin Gaye’s life story and sing 24 of his songs. Andrew and I narrate and sing along with an eight-piece band.
You sing the songs of many of Marvin’s legendary co-performers, including Diana Ross and Kim Weston. Did you have a favourite?
Tammi Terrell is my favourite – we talk a bit about Tammi as she was probably his favourite.
The production tells the tales behind the tracks; what’s an interesting discovery you made about Marvin?
That he was a deeply sensitive human being.
What’s your personal favourite Marvin Gaye track, and why?
‘Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)’ because he talks about the earth and how we have stuffed it up.
What was it like singing alongside Australia’s Got Talent 2012 winner and former CDB band member, Andrew De Silva?
I love Andrew very much – he’s a fantastic singer and also very kind and gentle.
What are you most proud of in your life?
My daughter – she’s a very kind person who cares for others very much.
What’s your personal definition of ‘success’?
Happiness and contentment.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Relax … at home.
Dine … anywhere I don’t have to cook!
Indulge … Brunswick Baths, where there’s a steam room, sauna, spa and outdoor and indoor pools.
Be inspired … Phillip Island.
