For this interview special, it’s with a bonafide music legend: Bill Sharpe.

Bill Sharpe is a classically trained pianist and jazz rock musician, who once worked alongside John Peel at the BBC and Trevor Horn in an early band. In 1980, he co-founded the band Shakatak, who scored many big hits around the world with their brand of post-disco jazz-funk.

In 1985, he teamed up with Gary Numan on what was meant to be a one-off single, but later turned into several songs, and a whole album - with 1989’s Automatic. He is a prolific songwriter and musician, who has collaborated with many other stars over the years, and is still performing with Shakatak today.

In the episode, Bill discusses:

• How he came to work with Gary Numan and their writing processes
• The unreleased demos he made with Gary after Automatic - could they ever be released?
• How Shakatak came about
• His friendship with John Peel

Clips used:

• Shakatak - Steppin'
• Shakatak - Easier Said than Done (TOTP)
• Sharpe & Numan - Change Your Mind
• Sharpe & Numan - New Thing from London Town
• Sharpe & Numan - No More Lies
• Shakatak - Nightbirds (TOTP)

Please get in touch on YouTube, X, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, or email at numanpodcast@gmail.com.