'You control your diabetes,
it doesn’t control you'

Eighties chart topper Mari Wilson who has Type 1 diabetes, is about to bring out a new album and start her new UK tour.

It is exciting news about the new Album and UK tour. The teasers on your website are fantastic! Was there anything in particular which inspired the album?

• We started writing the songs for a one woman show, called The Love Thing, which is basically a love story inspired by my own life, but as we kept writing, we got to the stage where we had all these songs and I knew that a one woman musical would take a long to time get into production.

So meanwhile,  we thought we’d put the songs together on an album and release it now, together with the UK tour. This way, hopefully, people will already know the songs before they come and see The Love Thing!

What can your fans expect from the new tour?

• Well, as usual, new frocks! It’s more ‘pop’ than shows I’ve been doing over the past few years, as this album is far more commercial, so there is more drama and more highs and lows. I’ve kind of gone back to putting on more of a show, like I used to in the 80’s. There are some of my old songs, some new ones from the album which is called Emotional Glamour, and some other little gems . . .

Are you looking forward to performing your own music after being in the theatre for a while?

• Well, yes, though I’m always doing gigs, when you do an actual tour, its more ambitious and more tiring! This is the first album I’ve made that contains all my own songs – co-written with my long-standing musical partner, Adrian York. So I’m singing a large percentage of my own compositions, which is a real thrill and something I’ve worked towards achieving for some time.

Have you ever come across anybody else working in the music industry with diabetes?

• Well, my daughter tells me that Nick Jonas from The Jonas Brothers has recently been diagnosed with Type 1, like me! I have a friend who’s a sax player also with Type 1, but that’s about it.

Your UK tour will clearly be a hectic time. Will you find it difficult to manage your diabetes with the demands of the tour?

• Yes, it’s always a bit of a challenge. When I get ready for the show, the adrenaline starts to flow and this stops insulin from working so inevitably, my sugar level goes up a little before and during the show, but afterwards, once I’ve relaxed,  it comes crashing down so I have to monitor it very closely.

Does having diabetes mean that you need plan that little bit extra for a tour?

• Absolutely. I also have Coeliacs Disease which means I’m on a gluten-free diet too! Of course, this is a very very healthy diet and I don’t eat meat, only fish. It’s kind of like the Mediterranean diet I suppose, lots of salads, fruits, fish etc. However, I cant just stop somewhere and buy a sandwich because I cant eat bread, so I tend to buy a nice salad from M & S, and carry packets of rice cakes and gluten-free bread, nuts and fruit. 
  
  It does take an awful lot of planning and it’s important to get to bed soon after the show so I can do it all again the next day because singing is very physical and it’s hard work if you’re tired.  My exercise regime isn’t the same either because I cant get to the gym though I try to do a little yoga, walking, or have a swim if there’s a pool at the hotel, or even a local pool nearby. Swimming is good for singers, for the breathing etc.

As the innovator of the Beehive hair style, what do you think of its recent revival? 

• Well of course I’m all for it! Unfortunately, the beehive I used to wear doesn’t really look so good when you get to a certain age! But I still like to have a bit of a bouffant, a kind of nod to the past I suppose. I love hairdo’s – it’s the one thing that can make you stand out from the crowd – literally in my case!

Having performed with the likes of Ray Charles and BB King, is there anyone else you’d like to perform alongside?

• There’s a Canadian singer-songwriter called Ron Sexmith who is fantastic – I covered one of his songs on my last album. So he’s someone definitely. I saw Glen Campbell in concert recently and he’s a big hero, he’s 72 now but his voice is still gorgeous and I have a feeling our voices would blend rather well. Also Mika. Oh, and Pink – I’m a big fan of hers

What advice would you give someone with diabetes wanting to pursue a career in the music industry?

• The same as I would give to someone without diabetes. Believe in yourself, look after yourself, and follow your dreams.

You control your diabetes, it doesn’t control you.

Mari xxxxx