The Stranglers are all set for tour after drummer Jet Black was hit by a fake death notice hoax.
Just having Jet Black pick up the phone for our interview was a very welcome development. After all, he had been reported dead last month!
The Stranglers’ drummer’s passing, though, was merely the latest in a series of online fake celebrity death notices.
“I didn’t hear about it until a bit later,” laughs Jet. “There was no point getting upset, there’s nothing you can do about it. Trust me I’ve read everything about myself you can imagine, most of it made up.”
But while he’s definitely still with us, Jet admits that, at the age of 75, his health isn’t quite what it was.
“I wouldn’t say I was in good nick,” he says. “I’m knocking on a bit and getting a bit frail. I’ve always been asthmatic which has been a bit of a problem but you just take the medication and get on with it.
“My doctor once said to me that he couldn’t think of a worse job than touring around playing in rooms with thousands of people with all their bugs and germs. It’s so true, you always pick up something.”
Jet will be on the road again from the end of the month as The Stranglers start a major international tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
The 28-date UK leg of the tour to be followed by European, American and Far East gigs starts in Inverness on February 27, with Glasgow and Dunfermline on the next two days.
“Scotland was the very first place we really felt a special bond as a band,” adds Jet.
“I still love touring, well the gigs anyway. I hate every other bit, the travelling, hotels and food, but being on stage is still brilliant.”
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