Timeless 80s Icon Clare Grogan Prepares for Tour
Clare Grogan, the 63-year-old Scottish singer, shows no signs of aging as she gears up for a UK tour with her band Altered Images. The tour celebrates the 45th anniversary of their 1981 hit ‘Happy Birthday,’ which peaked at No. 2 on the charts.
Grogan first rose to prominence as the lead vocalist of the New Wave group Altered Images. The band achieved six UK top 40 singles and three top 30 albums before disbanding in 1983. Despite these accomplishments, Grogan reveals they remained financially strained during their peak popularity.
Financial Struggles in the Music Industry
‘I hadn’t made any money, despite three successful albums,’ Grogan states. ‘Ask any band from the 80s, and they’ll tell you that somebody made some money, but it’s very rarely the band. Even when I was at the top of the charts, I was earning £75 a week.’
She attributes this to the chaotic nature of the music business, where young artists eagerly joined without questioning deals. ‘The music business is notoriously messy, and we were at an age where we desperately wanted to be part of it, so we didn’t ask questions. Also, there seemed something vulgar in talking about money,’ Grogan explains. Not inquiring proved a major error, as the band trusted industry figures without scrutiny.
The original lineup featured Gerard McInulty, Michael Anderson, and Tony McDaid, later joined by Stephen Lironi, whom Grogan married in 1994. After facing six miscarriages and four unsuccessful IVF attempts, the couple adopted their daughter Ellie in 2005.
Acting Career and Enduring Legacy
Beyond music, Grogan has built a successful acting resume, most notably as Susan in the 1981 comedy ‘Gregory’s Girl.’ She has also appeared in ‘EastEnders’ and ‘Red Dwarf,’ and authored children’s novels.
Grogan still experiences anxiety about her financial future, stemming from her early career challenges. When Altered Images signed a £50,000 record deal in the early 1980s, it felt like a fortune, yet international hits in Australia and Japan brought little profit. ‘We had hits as far away as Australia and Japan, but did we make any money? Not really. At the height of our success, I was only being paid £75 a week,’ she notes. This was merely £15 more than her earnings from waitressing tips during sixth-form college.
Reflecting on ‘Happy Birthday’s’ anniversary, Grogan admits, ‘I’d have been mortified if you’d told me I’d still be singing Happy Birthday in my 60s!’ The band recently performed at European festivals and plans domestic shows later this year.
Behind-the-Scenes of ‘Gregory’s Girl’
‘Gregory’s Girl’ remains a cultural touchstone, ranking among the top 30 best high school films alongside ‘Grease’ and ‘Fame,’ with fans including Martin Scorsese. Set in a Scottish secondary school, the film captures teenage awkwardness through the story of Gregory (Gordon Sinclair), who falls for football player Dorothy (Dee Hepburn), only to find romance with Susan (Grogan).
Grogan nearly missed the role. Director Bill Forsyth, a regular at her Glasgow restaurant job, asked for her contact details, but she declined, wary of strangers. ‘I had no idea who he was or what he did. I’d been told by my mother never to give my number to strange men,’ she recalls. ‘I was 17 and in my head I was thinking, “It’s a guy in his pants with a camcorder, so I think I will just say no to that one.”’
Forsyth persisted by contacting her manager, who encouraged the meeting. ‘But it was all very legitimate, and he persevered – my goodness, thank God he did,’ Grogan says. The film’s relatable theme of unrequited crushes ensures its lasting appeal. ‘It’s a really lovely thing to have in my life. I think the reason Gregory’s Girl still resonates with people after all this time is because it’s a story everyone can relate to… fancying someone who doesn’t fancy you back.’
