Some legends are born and some are made. While others, like American singer PP Arnold (born Patricia Ann Arnold), are quietly and unjustly shuffled to the bottom of the pile to wallow in obscurity.
In what is either a righteous act of poetic justice or simply irony at its finest, after 50, long years Patricia has finally released her long-lost album 'The Turning Tide'.
“I'm just glad that it's finally seeing the light of day and people are getting the chance to hear it, because I've loved it for 50 years and I was devastated when it didn't come out,” Patricia says.
“I fought very hard for years and years to try and get someone to release it, and when they didn't release it I fought to get the licence; I've fought and fought.”
Patricia recorded 'The Turning Tide' between 1968 and 1970 in London, having been brought there as a member of Ike & Tina Turner's backing troupe, The Ikettes.
Coming from the notorious Watts neighbourhood of Los Angeles, Patricia recalls the vivid scene of London in the swinging '60s. “It was swinging,” she laughs, “it was really swinging.
“Being an American black woman and coming from America where everything was so segregated, to come to London and this whole rock & roll cultural/ political revolution going on there.
“Coming out of the civil rights revolution in America to the rock & roll cultural revolution that was happening in London was just amazing, it really was. It changed my life for sure, definitely changed my life.”
For all the promise of a new life, the story of 'The Turning Tide' is one of dirty, industry politics and betrayal.
Patricia started working with Barry Gibb as producer for 'The Turning Tide' before Barry's manager Robert Stigwood convinced him to abandon her and return to the Bee Gees.
Eric Clapton then stepped in as producer, but ended up snaffling her backing band to form Derek & The Dominoes and creating 'Layla'. “I was shy, I was introverted, I didn't know how to hustle, I didn't know networking,” she says.
“I came from America, Watts in LA, into London and I knew nothing about the music scene or how it worked. The boys were running everything [and] I was just a little, black girl from South Central LA so I didn't know how to communicate, none of us did.
“I feel that I've been exploited about as much as anybody could be exploited and have been overlooked about as much as anybody could have been overlooked.”
Yet Patricia holds no grudges. “I am living in the now and God has given me the faith and the determination and the willpower to still be going strong, and it ain't over till it's over and right now it's all happening, so I better focus on what's happening now.
"I'm glad the record is out now and I hope that everybody who hears it loves it as much as I've always loved it.”
Patricia will bring 'The Turning Tide' to Australia for her first-ever tour here, accompanied by a band featuring Tim Rogers, Russell Hopkinson, Andy Kent, Talei Wolgramm and James Black of the Rockwiz Orchestra. “I'm really looking forward to coming to Australia and working with all these great musicians,” Patricia says.
“What a blessing for me; hopefully everything is going to manifest the right way so whatever and however I've been overlooked or exploited, let's hope that I can help it all hang in the balance now. I'm definitely just loved-up from all the fans and everybody, so I'm optimistic.”
PP Arnold Tour Dates
Thu 17 May - Memo Music Hall (Melbourne)Fri 18 May - Thornbury Theatre (Melbourne)
Sat 19 May - Meeniyan Town Hall
Wed 23 May - The Factory Theatre (Sydney)
Fri 25 May - The Night Cat (Melbourne)
Sat 26 May - Fly By Night Club (Fremantle)
Sun 27 May - Rosemount Hotel (Perth)
