Lulu seeks new role

Press, 12 January 1977, Page 8

Lulu seeks new role

By

Claire Cunningham

London. Among the concerts, tours, recordings, and T 7 shows already being lined up for 1977 for Lulu, is one possible role which will not merit a contract or bring in a penny in royalties. It is the one for which Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie would happily turn down glittering engagements. Now 27 and enjoying a happy second marriage, she has her eyes on only one star part for 1977 — becoming a mum. “It’s lovely to have a career,” she says. “Specially when it’s something you really enjoy. I couldn’t imagine ever giving up singing — it’s something I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember. “But I think family life is important too. More important. actually. “It sounds very theatrical, maybe, to say that I'm a woman first, and a singer after that. But, it’s true. And I want all the womanly things, like a home and a husband — both of which I’ve got — and children — which I haven’t yet.” Her first marriage at 20, to Maurice Gibb, one of the Bee Gees, lasted five years before ending in divorce and it was a very sad Lulu who told me two years ago: “My one big regret is that T have reached the age of 25 without having children.” “My other is that the marriage didn't work. 1 come from a very old-fashioned, very loving family, and I had a very old-fashioned Scottish upbringing. I believed in the 'one man. one woman, till death us do part,’ thing, and I went into it all starry-eyed and romantic. “Now. I realise that life! just isn't like that. People' aren't . perfect — far from it — and living with someone else isn’t easy. “All the same.” she addedi

(then, “I would like to marryi (again one day.” I Now she has, and the man; who has helped her build a' [new life is her hairdresser,! John Frieda. “Now, thanks to John, l[ like a much more feminine look now — much softer, and more natural. I’ve grown my hair, my skirts are longer, and I don’t wear half as much goo on my face. “John is very good for me. He’s a very calm person, very, gentle. 1 think, too, that his |not being in show business [ i makes a big difference.

I “With Maurice, there is no ;doubt that there was conflict with our two careers. I was I ambitious, and so was he. j “Now, with John, things 'are very different. He has his i job to do. I have mine. But, ; there is no element of competition. We are two people I who lead separate lives, and I who like to be together as j often as we can,” she says. I After celebrating what she I called old-fashioned Christimas with her family and ‘friends, Lulu and John ; planned to go ski-ing. — F'ea- ' lures International.