Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri reveals music industry bosses told her to change ... trends now
Sharleen Spiteri has revealed she was told by music industry bosses to change the way she looks when she first got signed to a record label.
The singer, 56, who is best known as the frontwoman of band Texas, admitted she has 'never had a great relationship with the music industry'.
Sharleen founded Texas while working as a hairdresser in Glasgow, with the band finding quick success with their debut single I Don't Want A Lover.
But when she got her big break, Sharleen found herself being told by industry executives that she looked like a 'boy' and a 'lesbian'.
Speaking on the I Never Thought It Would Happen podcast with Chris Difford, Sharleen said: 'From the day I got signed, the MD in my record company at Mercury Records at that point, I remember he referred to be as the "dodgy boiler. What's the dodgy boiler all about?"
Sharleen Spiteri has revealed she was told by music industry bosses to change the way she looks when she first got signed to a record label
The singer, 56, who is best known as the frontwoman of band Texas , admitted she has 'never had a great relationship with the music industry' (pictured with Texas in 1989)
'I was 18 years old and I was like, "you motherf****r." That was my entrance into the music industry. It actually worked really well for me because it gave me the balls and the guts to go, no. I like to think I'm quite fair.
'I remember they were like, "you dress like a boy." For years it was like, "she must be a lesbian." Why? Because you wear short hair and big boots.'
Sharleen feels many of the attitudes that were around when she was in her late teens are still present but just more 'hidden' now.
She said: 'They still do say that s**t but it's just hidden really well. People say it's better now, it's not, it's just not right in front of your face. It's hidden so well.'
Texas, which was founded in 1986, is currently made up of Sharleen, Johnny McElhone, Ally McErlaine, Eddie Campbell, Tony
