FIRST IMPRESSIONS: MICHAEL GRADE
What are you working on?
I recently hosted a concert, which was essentially a tribute to one of the unsung heroes of British music, the lyricist Don Black. It was my job to interview him. I’m going to do one with Tim Rice, with some big stars coming in with an orchestra and singing some of his marvellous lyrics.
When are you at your happiest?
Personal happiness is where I am at the moment. I have two grown-up children, grandchildren, a son Samuel, who is 15, and my wife Francesca. On a work/ business level, I’m at my happiest at the theatre.
What is your greatest fear?
Charlton Athletic getting relegated.
What is your earliest memory?
My uncle Bernie and his wife Carole came to tea and he brought with him the great artist Richard Tauber. It was a hot summer’s day and we were sitting on canvas chairs in the garden and Richard Tauber’s chair collapsed under his weight. He ended up with scones and cream all over him. It was an absolute nightmare but we all laughed.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I used to have a terrible temper. I didn’t like that bit of me.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My father and his two brothers. I was very lucky, I almost had three fathers: my father Leslie and my two uncles. They were so helpful to me and a shining example of how to behave and conduct yourself in business. They’re all sadly gone now but they’re with me in my head every day.
What is your most treasured possession?
I’d have to say my wife, Francesca, and Samuel, our son. It has to be your family, doesn’t it?
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Bad manners. I can’t, can’t, can’t abide bad manners. There’s no excuse for it.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I wish my legs were about a foot longer, then my fat stomach wouldn’t show so much. I delude myself.
What is your favourite book?
The Diary Of Anne Frank.
And your favourite film?
The Godfather II.
Your favourite piece of music?
There’s so much music I can’t live without. Some Enchanted Evening in South Pacific is one of the great melodies, as good as anything Puccini wrote and I can speak no higher than that. Puccini is my hero.
What is your favourite meal?
Any meal in a nice Jewish deli.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
They would be musicians or performers. Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin… I’m just so in awe of composers and lyricists. I might also ask Mozart and Beethoven if they have a moment.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
There were sporadic outbursts of anti- Semitism at my school – very unpleasant.
What is your secret vice?
Devouring chocolate in front of the television.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, always.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘What you should do…’
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A fitness regime. I hate exercise.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you?
I’ve had such a public persona over the years that I don’t think much about me is secret. I used to bite my nails when I was young.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘We’re sorry he’s gone.’
Michael Grade hosts Tim Rice: A Life In Song at the Royal Festival Hall on 8 July. It will be broadcast by the BBC at a later date.
I recently hosted a concert, which was essentially a tribute to one of the unsung heroes of British music, the lyricist Don Black. It was my job to interview him. I’m going to do one with Tim Rice, with some big stars coming in with an orchestra and singing some of his marvellous lyrics.
When are you at your happiest?
Personal happiness is where I am at the moment. I have two grown-up children, grandchildren, a son Samuel, who is 15, and my wife Francesca. On a work/ business level, I’m at my happiest at the theatre.
What is your greatest fear?
Charlton Athletic getting relegated.
What is your earliest memory?
My uncle Bernie and his wife Carole came to tea and he brought with him the great artist Richard Tauber. It was a hot summer’s day and we were sitting on canvas chairs in the garden and Richard Tauber’s chair collapsed under his weight. He ended up with scones and cream all over him. It was an absolute nightmare but we all laughed.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I used to have a terrible temper. I didn’t like that bit of me.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My father and his two brothers. I was very lucky, I almost had three fathers: my father Leslie and my two uncles. They were so helpful to me and a shining example of how to behave and conduct yourself in business. They’re all sadly gone now but they’re with me in my head every day.
What is your most treasured possession?
I’d have to say my wife, Francesca, and Samuel, our son. It has to be your family, doesn’t it?
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Bad manners. I can’t, can’t, can’t abide bad manners. There’s no excuse for it.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I wish my legs were about a foot longer, then my fat stomach wouldn’t show so much. I delude myself.
What is your favourite book?
The Diary Of Anne Frank.
And your favourite film?
The Godfather II.
Your favourite piece of music?
There’s so much music I can’t live without. Some Enchanted Evening in South Pacific is one of the great melodies, as good as anything Puccini wrote and I can speak no higher than that. Puccini is my hero.
What is your favourite meal?
Any meal in a nice Jewish deli.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
They would be musicians or performers. Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin… I’m just so in awe of composers and lyricists. I might also ask Mozart and Beethoven if they have a moment.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
There were sporadic outbursts of anti- Semitism at my school – very unpleasant.
What is your secret vice?
Devouring chocolate in front of the television.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, always.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘What you should do…’
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A fitness regime. I hate exercise.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you?
I’ve had such a public persona over the years that I don’t think much about me is secret. I used to bite my nails when I was young.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘We’re sorry he’s gone.’
Michael Grade hosts Tim Rice: A Life In Song at the Royal Festival Hall on 8 July. It will be broadcast by the BBC at a later date.