You’ve been to Abu Dhabi before. Why do you keep coming back?
I just love it. It’s so calm and serene and it’s such a great holiday place. I am really looking forward to just getting there and unwinding and being in the moment. I feel like you can really slow it down when you’re in Abu Dhabi.
The Chequered Flag Ball is a big event here, what are you looking forward to?
It’s for charity so I just really want everyone to have a fun time and to really let their hair down. I want the crowd to get up and dance all night and to really feel the music.
Do you have any surprises in store for your performance?
Oh, I don’t know. No, not really apart from the singing. I hope to really get the room going.
Are you a Formula 1 fan?
No, I am not an F1 girl at all. My son loves it. He is really into it but he isn’t coming out with me so maybe next year.
Bette Midler has said that you are a magnificent woman. How do you feel about her?
The feeling is likewise. In 1980, we worked together in Bette Midler’s concert movie Divine Madness. I was singing back-up and was so impressed with her. Beyond impressed. She just takes control and I was in awe of her ability. She really cared so much about the movie and she was really in command. I respect that. She is such a strong woman.
Tell us about touring with Culture Club in the 1980s
It was in 1985 and it was just such a fun time. George is just a beautiful person. He is so talented and has amazing song writing skills. It really was such an outrageous and fun time in my life. I learnt a lot from George.
Tell us about performing at The Grammys with Michael Jackson?
It was such a long time ago now. I was back-up singing for him and it’s so interesting to meet someone like that face to face. He was so calm and so lovely. I got to see such a different side of him. I saw him a year or so later in LA and he came up to me and said hi and was talking to me. I was with my daughter and I didn’t recognise him. When he left, my daughter was screaming saying, ‘That was Michael Jackson!’
Did John Lennon really teach you all about sushi?
Yes he did. I learnt a lot from him in terms of music but he also taught me all about sushi and the different types and ways to eat it. This was back when sushi wasn’t so globally popular.
Somebody Else’s Guy’ is your most famous song. Will you sing it here?
Yes I will. It’s my favourite song to sing live. Well, all of them are but that one takes it to the bridge.
Jocelyn Brown will be performing at The Chequered Flag Ball on November 2. Tickets are available at www.chequeredflagball.com
