Runaways legend Cherie Currie has teamed up with rising rock ‘n’ roll singer Essex on new single ‘When You’re Young’, a cover of the early ’80s UK new wave track originally recorded by Victims Of Pleasure.
Fresh from a no-holds-barred contribution to last year’s Yacht Metal collection with a cover of Walter Egan‘s ‘Magnet And Steel’, Currie explained how this new collaboration came about.
“I have recorded with Cleopatra Records for over 27 years, so when I was approached to sing ‘When You’re Young’, I thought it was business as usual until Brian, the president, decided this was to be a duet with a new, up and coming talent named Essex,” said Currie.
Essex is a rock ‘n’ roll singer from Chicago who draws inspiration from glam rock icons like Marc Bolan and David Bowie, pop punk sneerer Billy Idol, and the godfather of funk, James Brown. Currie had more to say on meeting her duet partner:
“When we met for the music video I was completely convinced of his talent. Billy Idol would be proud with this man’s presence. By the time the shoot was finished, I was in love! What a talented and beautiful human being. After 50 years in this crazy biz, it’s a breath of fresh air to find such a grateful and gracious man. He gives me hope for this nutty music business.”
Essex, who is currently at work on both an upcoming single and an album due later in the year, added: “It was an unbelievable honour to work with somebody that has inspired me since I was a kid. Working with her was insanely easy. We got along just naturally.
“I think the song is very brilliant. It applies to everything right now, just by looking back to good times, when people were young and having fun.”
Produced by Die Krupps co-founder Jürgen Engler, ‘When You’re Young’ blends classic new wave with a confrontational take on contemporary modern rock.
You can stream ‘When You’re Young’ and check out the video below.
