Kiki puts her heart and soul into music

Yorkshire-born Kiki, perhaps best known for her worldwide 70s smash hit duet Don’t Go Breaking My Heart with Elton John, has established impressive credentials as a musician during a career which has spanned five decades and produced 40 singles, three EPs and 12 albums.

She has covered all bases, from classic interpretations of soul hits to a repertoire of live and recorded material such as the classics Amoureuse and I’ve Got The Music In Me, as well as masterful performances in major West End musicals.

Her most recent collaboration is with the songwriter, producer and guitarist Carmelo Luggeri. Over the last 18 years, the pair have successfully toured the UK and Europe with their unique acoustic-based show.

“It was a shock at first to perform as just the two of us,” Kiki explained.

“I remember bursting into tears after our first tour date but it soon felt good to have the freedom of working with just a voice and guitar and writing songs while on the road.”

Their latest tour - which arrives in Buxton on Saturday February 15 - coincides with the recent release of the duo’s third studio album A Place Where I Can Go, a mixture of moving ballads and bluesy songs.

Born in England of Italian parents, Carmelo’s musical journey has included several collaborations with Bill Wyman, work with Julian Lennon, including a co-write on the multi-million selling album Valotte, and recordings/live performances with artists such as Paul Rogers, Chris Rea, Ralph McTell, Kenny Jones, Andy Williams and Pete Sinfield of King Crimson.

Commissioned in the mid-90s to make acoustic albums for TV and film, this coincided with meeting Kiki for the first time when he co-produced two new songs for her Greatest Hits album.

Carmelo said: “What I love about collaborating with Kiki is that even at this stage in her career she is still such a forward-looking artist, constantly striving for originality in her music.”

Tickets for Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri at the Pavilion Arts Centre on Saturday February 15, at 7.30pm, are priced £15 and available on 0845 127 2190 or www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.