Elaine Paige has performed in many of the great musicals but says Chess is still one of the one’s closest to her heart.
Elaine Paige
“I still think it is the best score that was written in the 1980s. Benny and Bjorn from Abba and Tim Rice’s brilliant lyrics, it is still up there in my Top 3 musicals that I love doing,” Elaine tells Noise11.com.
Chess gave Elaine Paige her first ever number one hit. “I was able to have a number one single in England and Europe with ‘I Know Him So Well’ from that score. That one is very close to my heart,” she says. “It was in some ways written for me so I shall probably be singing something from Chess when I come to Oz”.
She said she knew it was a hit when she first heard it but didn’t expect to top the charts with it. “The more new songs you hear your ear does get attune to what you think might be a hit. I certainly thought had legs,” she said. “I wouldn’t have said “One Night In Bangkok” but I definitely did know ‘I Know Him So Well’ was going to be a hit. I do remember recording it, then it being released and it was very exciting watching it each week go up the charts. Every week I would think can it go further and it eventually made number one. There is nothing like getting a number one single. I will never forget it”.
Elaine will tour Australia next month for Lennard Promotions. Elaine Paige tour dates are:
October 20, Perth, Riverside Theatre
October 23, Adelaide, AEC Theatre
October 24, Melbourne, Palais
October 26, Sydney, State Theatre
October 28, Canberra, Canberra Theatre
October 29, Brisbane, QPAC Concert Hall
