Roy Carter, guitarist from 1970s soul band Heatwave, turns 70 this summer – but he has the energy of a man half his age.
“Regular rides out on my mountain bike and Qigong Chinese calisthenics. That’s my regimen. If you’re a singer you’ve got to stay fit. Keep your lungs open, ‘cos if you run out of breath or voice to sing, or natural energy to do a show, that’s a real performance problem,” says the father-of-four who has lived in Birmingham for the past two decades after “doing a runner” from his native East London.
An overheated London property market was chief among Carter’s reasons for relocating. And Birmingham ticked all the boxes.
“Birmingham is easier than London to grow a business”
“Birmingham is inspirational. It’s awesome. It’s enterprising. It’s supportive. Not only is it more affordable than London, it’s also far easier than London to start up and grow a business project, or rent facilities, or travel out and back on the motorways or trains or airports (East Mids or BHX). There are so many opportunities available here for people like me in the creative arts, including plenty of recording / rehearsal studios for developing and delivering entertainment shows.”
A stint in teaching after burn-out from touring
The Carters settled in North Birmingham in the early 2000s and Roy decided, after becoming burnt out from years of hectic touring all over the globe, on a career change into teaching. This followed the success of Heatwave, whose song Boogie Nights was nominated for a Grammy in 1978.
Around that time various creatives were being invited into schools and colleges to outline what a career in the performing arts sector could look like for young people. Carter taught ‘Introduction to Media’ for school key stage 2-5 and B-Tech college students across the Birmingham conurbation. His course covered advertising, distribution, marketing, promotion, tax, income, overseas income, imports, exports, budgeting for a tour, merchandising, copyright, legalities.
“I was teaching students the business side of the music industry because without these pillars coming together you’re just practicing in the bedroom, hoping.” Carter says.
“The 16- to 19-year-olds would sit there all day fascinated. All that stuff is just as important now as it was then if you’re going to make it in music.”
A second music career
In 2006 Carter got back into music again after singer and agent Terrell Isaacs spotted him. This was more than three decades after Clem Curtis, then the lead singer of The Foundations, had first scouted Carter’s talent on keyboards, vocals, bass and guitar in London back in 1973 this while he was playing with some friends of his father in a band called the Black Knights in 1971 after quitting school. Carter went on to spend three years with The Foundations before joining Heatwave in 1976.
After the tap on the shoulder by Isaacs, an older (then 50) and wiser Carter went back on the road singing and playing, and so began his second stint as a full-time musician. This time he applied the sage advice he’d been teaching his college students to his own activities playing the “Roy Carter Show” across the UK, Europe, the Gulf, Scandinavia and beyond.
“Always nice to have royalty cheques come in”
“It’s been fun the second time around, less crazy but it does still get a little busy,” says Carter.
At 69 he is semi-retired now, working one or two days a week as opposed to the six-and-a-half days a week when he was a globe-trotter. He makes time for his wife of 40 years, Vee – “who is my number one supporter and the love of my life” – and their four children. Roy is also a man of faith, attending the Birmingham Church of Christ as regularly as his schedule permits.
“Life is good – and it’s always nice to still have the occasional royalty cheque come in from time to time.”
What does an average week look like for you these days?
“By choice in recent years I’ve scaled back my work to one or two gigs a week. I still love performing. I’m currently singing with my Stylistics tribute band ‘Sing Baby Sing’, plus a vocalist in a Diana Ross tribute show. It’s great.”
To whom do you most owe your success?
“My wife, Vee. We met in 1983 and married in 1985. She is my rock – and she was my financial help or under-writer at certain points during times when I was getting things going. Every business idea needs support either externally or internally.”
Will you ever leave Birmingham?
“No way. I love this city. I’m here for keeps.”
Best memory from your Heatwave days?
“Stepping on stage at Madison Square Gardens in New York in 1977. All the women were screaming for Heatwave. When I was growing up the only women who screamed at me were my mum and my sisters, usually when I was getting on their nerves!”
Will you ever give up music?
“Never. Even when I’m in retired living I’ll still be jamming, singing and playing.”
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