Widely recognised as the Amy Winehouse or Adele of the 1960s, the Scottish vocal powerhouse is enjoying a career resurgence at 67, thanks in large part to a new critically acclaimed solo album, Making Life Rhyme.
“We’re burning down the house every night, and I love it – this is what I Iive for,” beams the voice that could inject soul into a phone book recital.
“I’m on a role baby…I’ve got my mojo going – I hope it never stops!”
So far, so good in 2016 for the singer whose biggest hits Shout and To Sir, With Love were released in 1965 and 1967, respectively – the first at the tender age of 15.
When the sell-out UK tour ends later in April, Lulu barely has time to rest those golden pipes before heading Down Under for her first road show here, this one in partnership with transplanted Brit Leo Sayer, who now lives in the NSW Southern Highlands.
The five-date Leo & Lulu shows kick off at the State Theatre in Sydney on June 23, before heading to Melbourne (June 24), Adelaide (June 29), Brisbane (June 30) and finally Perth (July 3).
“I’ve never toured in Australia…maybe one or two gigs, but it’s been too long, way too long,” says the indomitable Scot, who recalls last visiting in the 1990s accompanied by her spiritual guru.
“I’m so excited. The thing about Leo is that he’s the real deal. He’s a guy who’s got the most incredible voice; he’s a wonderful musician and a great songwriter.”
As for how the shows will work on the night, a playful Lulu bursts into laughter when pressed for what fans can expect from the chart-topping duo.
“I’m not going to tell you because it’s not going to be predictable,” she screeches with glee. “It’s not going to be crazy; just not what I would think is very obvious, I hope.
“A few years ago I put together a show with Anastacia and Chaka Khan [Here Come the Girls] which was less predictable than everyone thought too.
“Who’s going to open? Who’s going to close? It’s not going to be like that, but I am hoping it will be the beginning of a beautiful future – and I’m hoping I can come back.”
There’s a certainly a renewed energy and spring in Lulu’s step – for the first time in her often tumultuous life, Lulu Kennedy-Cairns OBE says she feels free and focused on what’s truly important.
“I’ve read every self-help book, really done a lot of internal work on myself and I’ve just got to a place where I’m living with gratitude,” she says.
“I’m down on knees every morning saying ‘please God let me do your will, not mine’. And at night I go to bed and I just say, ‘thanks’, just thanks.
“It’s that simple now. It used to be that I was always looking for things, and thinking I needed stuff, and running and bla, bla, bla; not now.
“It’s like I’m getting it after all these years – it’s like an acceptance of life, and therefore this gratitude.
“I hope today that I’m much more authentic. I don’t believe that I have to please everybody now, or be perfect. I needed to be perfect to hold my family together, but now I don’t.”
There’s enough highs and lows for a bio-movie of course; a three-part tele-film at least, much in the same vein as the ratings winner on the late Cilla Black, which played on the ABC in 2014.
Lulu says there’s been talk along those lines too, but for now she’s living for the moment, writing the songs and reveling in the applause.
Then there’s a cameo as herself in the eagerly-awaited Absolutely Fabulous movie, due out in Australia on August 11, and her successful skincare range Time Bomb to plug.
But that’s for another day, says the ageless star. She’s getting the signal from her media minder to wrap things up before we’ve even had the chance to talk about the men in her life.
The now happily single Lulu was married for a short time to Bee Gee Maurice Gibb at just 20, had famous flings with David Bowie and The Monkees star Davy Jones, and later married again, this time to celebrity hairdresser John Frieda, with whom she had her only child, son Jordan.
“The men have come and gone, but the music still goes on and on. I’m just fine with the way it is now. The music keeps me going; I love it. I wake up with songs in my head. It’s what makes the blood coarse through my veins.
“My music and my grandchildren [Bella, 6, and Teddy, 3]. I do a rock show and then pick up my grand-kids at school – that’s what I love.
“I’m happy then – that’s all I need.”
For more information on the Leo & Lulu tour and to book tickets, click here.
