The magic tie between Eric and his Mum

Publication unknown, circa 1973
By Linda Newman

It's quite an ordinary tie. A bit crumpled and spotted but it has a sort of magic. For it helps to carry messages from a clairvoyant to 10 CC guitarist, Eric Stewart.

Let me explain. Eric's Mum likes to visit a clairvoyant regularly to find out what's in store for him. She takes one of his old ties and when the clairvoyant holds it she can "see" what's going to happen to him.

So far, she's been spot on!

"She predicted the forming of 10 CC and she saw the dates when our records would go into the charts," says Eric.

He's a bit worried at the moment because his mother has kept quiet about mystery tie messages lately.

"But I hope no news is good news," he says.

All news has been good news lately for Eric. In the last year the group's had 'Donna' at Number One and 'Rubber Bullets' and 'The Dean and I' also in the charts.

Everything's going for them. But it wasn't always like that.

"I really thought I'd had the pop music business," says Eric, "till that clairvoyant started coming across with good news. Then it all started happening."

To recap. Eric has been in the music business for ten years. Every group he's been with has either folded or faded away just after he's had a little taste of success.

He was with Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders in the days when the Liverpool beat was strong. They had a few hits then faded out.

Remember Hotlegs? Eric was in that. 'I'm a Neanderthal Man' [sic] went soaring up into the charts. The group was a one-hit wonder, and soon broke up. He was back where he started.

Eric was disheartened, till he got together with some friends he'd known for years. They started 10 CC.

"I think we've proved we're here to stay this time," he says. "We've got some good feelings within the group and we work well together."

So what makes for such good vibrations (and good music) within the group? It's all in their stars.

Eric, who's an Aquarian, born on January 20, told me: "I tend to make most of the decisions but Graham Gouldman, a Taurean, born on May 10, soon brings me down to earth if he thinks I'm getting carried away. He's practical down to the last detail and he never lets me forget it.

"We've also got a critical Virgoan. Lol Creme was born on September 17 and he puts us in our places if we ever start getting big-headed. Lastly, there's our well-balanced Libran, Kevin Godley, who has a calming effect on us when we get a bit het-up over our work.

"Our signs makes for a good personality combination."

Off stage

Off stage, Eric likes to get right away from the bright lights. He lives quietly in Cheshire with his wife, Gloria. And he's a great home-maker. He's got a diploma in interior design and he likes to do up their house.

"I've designed a super carpet in beige and brown stripes. I make things, too. I'm really proud of my steel bookcase and some seating units. We're really sitting pretty at home now.

Click to subscribe

© 2008 by Minestrone. All rights reserved.