August 14, 2024 • 15 mins
Richard O’Brien made his mark in the history of musicals — and cult movies — after creating the tale of a sweet transvestite from Transylvania.
The Rocky Horror Show has played in theatres and cinema screens around the world for the past five decades, cementing itself as one of the greatest musicals of all time.
Now, he’s created a new show for the modern times.
Kingdom of Bling, a satirical fairytale inspired by the craziness of American politics, is set in a time of confusion, when so many madly, strange beliefs collide.
It’s playing around the country in October and November.
Richard O’Brien joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels for this weeks Six and a Song.
For more details and tickets: Kingdom of Bling
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Simon Barnett and James Daniels Afternoons
podcast from News Talk zedb Well.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Richard O'Brien made his mark in the history of musicals
and cult movies after creating The Tale of a Sweet
Transvestite from Transylvania. The Rocky Horror Picture Show has played
in theaters and cinema screens around the world for the
past five decades, cementing itself as one of the greatest
musicals of all time. Now, Richard O'Brien's created a new
show for the modern times. Kingdom of Bling, a satirical
(00:34):
fairy tale inspired by the craziness of American politics, is
set in a time of confusion when so many madly
strange beliefs collide. That's the background. It's playing around the
country in October and November. We've got all the details
on where you can get tickets on our Facebook page.
It is a great pleasure to welcome Richard O'Brien on
for six and a song. Hello Richard, Cia.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Simon and James, thank you for having me on your program.
Dear boys, Well, my.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Goodness, I've been looking forward to this. I'm a big
fan of the Rocky Horror Show. No great surprise, but hey,
I'll start off with a question. Are you British or
are you Kiwi?
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Born and born in Great Britain during the war at
a war baby. My parents emigrated in nineteen fifty two
and we came out on the Ruheny a second voyage.
Actually it would have been lovely of doing. It was
the maiden voyage, but on the second voyage, and in
nineteen fifty two we arrived at Frankton Station at about
(01:34):
four o'clock in the morning and life went on. It was,
it was delightful, it was It was perhaps one of
the best things that happened in my life. I think
that that move coming out here, you.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Would have to say probably one of the others would
be the Rocky Horror Picture Show itself. Can we ask
where did the idea and inspiration come from? And did
you have any idea of the enormity of its success?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
No, Rocky Horror is a work of juvenilia. It's written
by a crayon and a thirteen year old boy's bedroom.
It's one of those, isn't it really? Well?
Speaker 5 (02:09):
I don't know, is it? I mean?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
There I was, I was out of work I've been
in Jesus Buy Superstar, and Robert Stigwood decided I wasn't
to take over the wall that I'd been contracted to
do so, so he was in breach of contract. They
gave me three hundred quid and sent me home. And
when I went home that it was coming up to Christmas,
I was feeling a bit despondent. Had a baby boy.
(02:31):
Thought they made me I should pack up and come
back to Enz. Now I've got a little boy in responsibility.
And somebody asked me to entertain the workers at in
my film studios at the Christmas party, if I just
do a couple of number or do something entertain So
I wrote a few jokes about, you know, about twenty
(02:52):
minutes of sort of stand up, and then I wrote
a song called science Fiction Double Feature. Because it was
it was a movie industry party. I said, these are
the sort of songs I got sort of movies. I
like saying science fiction double feature to them, and a
bit after that sort while after that that. It also
(03:13):
it also gave me a second wind. I thought that
because I was entertaining, they did enjoy me that night.
So I thought I'd give myself a little longer and
show business. And while I was sitting at home one day,
I thought that would make a great prologue to a
musical based on all these movies that are in the song.
(03:34):
And it went from there.
Speaker 5 (03:35):
Really wow.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
So what was the initial reaction from the world of
theater because it was a stage show? Was it a
stage show at first?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
Actually?
Speaker 5 (03:44):
No.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
I just received an email yesterday from the guy who
was the drummer, the original drummer in the theater upstairs
when we played the sixty three people per night, And
it was quite interesting because he said we knew I
didn't know that. He said we knew it was going
to be successful because everybody was having such a good time.
(04:06):
And I think that was is part of it. We
only expected it to run for three weeks, but we
were having the hell of a good time, and and
and that enthusiasm and that good time feel, and that
and that lack of lack of trying to sell it,
that lack of it. Look here, isn't this great lack
(04:27):
of all that because all we were doing was, you know,
having a wonderful time, dressing up and making believe and
singing some rock and roll songs. It was it was
such fun, and I think that was that's I think
that continues to be part of it its success.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
Actually, you know, one.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Of the things with the Rocky Horror is it just
it is a sort of a cult phenomenon, and so
people would dress up at all hours of the night.
They'd throw rice, they'd get into their favorite coat. Have
you ever got Have you ever gone to a show
in disguise almost and just hidden and watched what unfaults?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
I did? I did. I went to a long, long
time ago. I wound up in a cinema in Florida
and stood at the back, and as I went out,
I said to one of the people who've been in
the shadow car, so that was you're very that was
you did very well there. That was very nice. And
said thank you very much, thank you very much. And
I went past. And then the guy at the back
(05:19):
and that was packing up in his car. He said,
excuse me, you are you Richard O'Brian And I said, well,
yes I am. And then the girl, the girl i'd
just spoken to, flapped both hands on both cheeks, going,
oh my god, my god.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
As yeah, well, so you've now got a new show.
It's called the Kingdom of Bling. Tell us a little
bit about that, well, that this is to do.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
We can't none of us who love liberal democracy and
and and human rights and caring for others and the
rainbow community, none of us can allow this, this, this
slug to to be in a position of world power
we just got the world can't afford it.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
You're talking about Donald Trump.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Yes, I am. It is a disgusting human being. And
I and I and I just want everybody to wake up.
It looks as if he's imploding. It looks as if
he can't help himself, and he is he is, But
I just want everybody to see him for what he is.
I don't get it. He is so he is so dreadful,
isn't he? In every respect?
Speaker 5 (06:27):
It is?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
You're right, though, it's it's the world is very divided.
And the Trump supporters will remain steadfast and it doesn't
matter why. And he said that himself, Donald Trump, it
doesn't matter what he does, they will always support him.
And there's probably real truth in that.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
I don't understand. How can he be far right and
Christian at the same time.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
It's a strange mix. I agree with that. I agree
with that entirely so is he? Is he a character
in the Kingdom of Bling?
Speaker 5 (06:51):
What is he?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Well? Ye, the he, the he who runs the Kingdom
of Bling is in fact, yes, based slightly allegedly.
Speaker 5 (07:03):
Donald Trump, cover your bert. Are you are you happy
est on stage? Would you say, Richard?
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Am I happy?
Speaker 2 (07:12):
What?
Speaker 5 (07:13):
Are you happiest on stage? Is that what you?
Speaker 1 (07:15):
No?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
No, I'm happiest. I'm happiest sitting on the sofa with
the sketch pad on my knee and my iPad nearby,
and and and television flickering away, and it's cozy.
Speaker 5 (07:30):
Do you have a life partner?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
I do? I have? I have. I'm very, very blessed.
I'm deeply blessed with a with a darling human being
in my life, my wife, and she puts up with me.
And that's no mean for it. I can believe in me.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
That's lovely. Are you in the Kingdom of Bling? Sorry,
just to be narrator.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
One last thing and we'll take a quick break. When
you when you created the Rocky Horror Show, did you
is it difficult when you create something then to hand
it over to all the people that make it happen.
And do you sit there like directors and produces a
notoriously volatile and flamed point and get angry.
Speaker 5 (08:08):
Is it?
Speaker 3 (08:08):
That's all in movies? I know everybody was having a
good time, and everybody contributes. That's why you you know,
I'm not I'm not fond of opera because you have
to sing the notes. I like I like musicals because
what you do is you get you get your singer
to win the song. And there's that's the difference. And
(08:29):
and there's there's much much more freedom and no, it's
ever everybody contributes.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
Brilliant.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Our guest, and it is a special guest, A lovely guest.
Richard O'Brien, creator of the Rocky Horror Show. Thank you,
mate for your time very much.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
It's a great pleasure. I'm delighted to be here now.
Speaker 5 (08:46):
Richard.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
We understand that you live in todunger now, but what's
one place you never get tired of?
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Well, it's it's it's here, actually it is is actually
on this little plot of land that that that we
sit on at the front. We look out the front
of the porch and we look straight down the estuary
towards the harbor, towards the mountain. That is iconographic that
that that that mount has always meant something to me.
I missed it desperately that in days gone by looking
(09:16):
around to see it. There's always a comfort so here nice.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
What's one of the nicest compliments you've ever received in
your life. I'm sure there's been plenty.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Well, I don't don't know about that really, when you've
got a nice compliment, I suppose I said that the
most surprising one because I was never a hunk, you
know I was. I was actually quite a good looking boy,
and mothers loved me. They liked me very much. But
you know, I was never I was never the hunk.
(09:44):
And there I was. I just started the first day
of the Crystal Maize and one of the competitors was
in the dressing in their dressing room getting ready, doing
a little bit of makeup or something rather and I
and I went up and I tapped on the door,
and I'm fifty at the time, and she looked in
them in the mirror over me, and she's went, oh
(10:05):
my god, you're a hunk.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
Oh that's not.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
And I looked over my shoulder.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
That's a great story a female and.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Said that to me, hellow, you don't warn Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
Actually you were a hunch in the Rocky Horror Show.
But if you had the power, if you had the
power to change one thing in your world, what would
that be?
Speaker 3 (10:34):
If I had a wish, if I had the three wishes,
give me the three wishes. No guns, no gods, no greed.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
Oh interesting, all the jeez.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
We have a problem with number two, you and I Richard,
but we'll part that for another discussion. Hey mate, what
is something you thought was important when you were young,
but as you got older you thought, you know what,
it just didn't matter.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
I think all of vanity quite frankly, I think being
up yourself is that the silliest thing you could ever
ever do in your life. People pompouslying around thinking they're important,
and the graveyards full of people who were indispensable, and
you know, it's it's taking yourself too seriously? Is we
(11:18):
can take yourself seriously but not self importantly.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
That's nicely seen because we were discussing that on here
last week about the Olympics and how some athletes they
they just themselves so so arrogant. And that's again, it's
one of the things I don't get because a lot
of our callers phoned and said, Hey, that's part of
the show. That's what they do, that's how they hype
each other up. That's what they and I don't know.
I find it unappealing as well.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
It's brutality, and it's it's as if there's again trumpion,
He's brought this dog kind of element back into our lives.
We know it's there, but we've written above it and
when we've done better, and and and it's it's unhealthy
because you don't trust anybody. Finally, it's it's an ugly,
(12:04):
ugly world and there's no there's no This is one
of the reasons that the tour's going out, I think,
to just make sure we can all be a bit
happier and a bit safer and a bit saner about
these things.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Because when you see humility in its purest form, it's
just the most endearing quality of any human being.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
I reckon.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Yeah, I've witnessed it once with that lovely Australian singer
who was in Greece. What was her name? Yes, exactly,
So she was at the opening of an I'm Max
theater in Sydney, and I happened to be there that evening,
and she she stood up in front of this crowd,
and by the time she'd finished, I just the warmth
(12:44):
in your heart, for it was just it was just
lovely nice.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
Now, look, apart from the rocky horror show, what are
you most proud of in your life?
Speaker 5 (12:53):
So fast?
Speaker 3 (12:53):
I don't like pride. Pride comes before a fall, and
pride is a waste of time. I wish actually, you know,
we haven't gay, pride hadn't used the word, but I've
got to think that it means something else, like wicked
means groovy or cool, but pride is not. I mean pride.
Proud to be gay makes no sense. Proud to be
(13:14):
black makes no sense. Unashamed, completely unashamed. That's that's wonderful.
Speaker 5 (13:20):
What a great word.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Yeah, but doesn't make sense like you be proud to
be blonde? You know, it don't make me sense. And
I don't like pride. It is a sin as far
as I'm concerned, as a waste of time.
Speaker 5 (13:34):
What is one of the things you're most satisfied with
in your life?
Speaker 3 (13:40):
The fact that I'm loved by my family and my children,
you know, and it can't be an easy for them
having me as a dad either.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Oh, that's a lovely answer. That night, if you could
invite one person still alive for dinner, anybody, Richard, anybody
in the whole world that's alive, who would you hit
for dinner?
Speaker 3 (13:56):
I think I'd like to invite to dinner and say
thank you for looking after us during that dreadful time
of COVID. We were the best served country in the
world to her leadership, and we shouldn't. We should not
let not forget that. And there's a chap up in Auckland,
a market garden or something. Ord wrote something on the
(14:17):
ground beneath the flights coming in, something about just ind
how she browned him off on all the rest of it.
But I was thinking to myself, you may not have
been alive to being able to make that demonstration had
she not been a matilla. That never crossed his mind.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
Yeah, good on you, mate. Hey, look, thank you very
much for your time.
Speaker 5 (14:36):
Today.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
We finished six in a song with a song. So
what is the song you've chosen today?
Speaker 5 (14:41):
And why?
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Well, I'd like to something uplifting, something to make them
want to get up and move a little feel a
little better, a bit a bit of a form and
a very good message, a whole lot of love by
led Zeppe and that will do me.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
It will do you, and you'll do us. Lovely, lovely
to chat with you, Richard. You're a thoughtful, thoughtful man.
Thank you for your time. All the very best with
the Kingdom of Bling and just a reminder, folks. All
the details the tour dates where it's playing are on
news Talk Zidby's website.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
The show is starting to tour.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
In October and through to November, so those dates News
Talks Richard, all the very best, mate, Here.
Speaker 5 (15:20):
Is your song.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
For more from Simon Barnett and James Daniels afternoons, listen
live to News TALKSIDB, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Simon Barnett and James Daniels Afternoons
podcast from News Talk zedb Well.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Richard O'Brien made his mark in the history of musicals
and cult movies after creating The Tale of a Sweet
Transvestite from Transylvania. The Rocky Horror Picture Show has played
in theaters and cinema screens around the world for the
past five decades, cementing itself as one of the greatest
musicals of all time. Now, Richard O'Brien's created a new
show for the modern times. Kingdom of Bling, a satirical
(00:34):
fairy tale inspired by the craziness of American politics, is
set in a time of confusion when so many madly
strange beliefs collide. That's the background. It's playing around the
country in October and November. We've got all the details
on where you can get tickets on our Facebook page.
It is a great pleasure to welcome Richard O'Brien on
for six and a song. Hello Richard, Cia.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Simon and James, thank you for having me on your program.
Dear boys, Well, my.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Goodness, I've been looking forward to this. I'm a big
fan of the Rocky Horror Show. No great surprise, but hey,
I'll start off with a question. Are you British or
are you Kiwi?
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Born and born in Great Britain during the war at
a war baby. My parents emigrated in nineteen fifty two
and we came out on the Ruheny a second voyage.
Actually it would have been lovely of doing. It was
the maiden voyage, but on the second voyage, and in
nineteen fifty two we arrived at Frankton Station at about
(01:34):
four o'clock in the morning and life went on. It was,
it was delightful, it was It was perhaps one of
the best things that happened in my life. I think
that that move coming out here, you.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Would have to say probably one of the others would
be the Rocky Horror Picture Show itself. Can we ask
where did the idea and inspiration come from? And did
you have any idea of the enormity of its success?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
No, Rocky Horror is a work of juvenilia. It's written
by a crayon and a thirteen year old boy's bedroom.
It's one of those, isn't it really? Well?
Speaker 5 (02:09):
I don't know, is it? I mean?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
There I was, I was out of work I've been
in Jesus Buy Superstar, and Robert Stigwood decided I wasn't
to take over the wall that I'd been contracted to
do so, so he was in breach of contract. They
gave me three hundred quid and sent me home. And
when I went home that it was coming up to Christmas,
I was feeling a bit despondent. Had a baby boy.
(02:31):
Thought they made me I should pack up and come
back to Enz. Now I've got a little boy in responsibility.
And somebody asked me to entertain the workers at in
my film studios at the Christmas party, if I just
do a couple of number or do something entertain So
I wrote a few jokes about, you know, about twenty
(02:52):
minutes of sort of stand up, and then I wrote
a song called science Fiction Double Feature. Because it was
it was a movie industry party. I said, these are
the sort of songs I got sort of movies. I
like saying science fiction double feature to them, and a
bit after that sort while after that that. It also
(03:13):
it also gave me a second wind. I thought that
because I was entertaining, they did enjoy me that night.
So I thought I'd give myself a little longer and
show business. And while I was sitting at home one day,
I thought that would make a great prologue to a
musical based on all these movies that are in the song.
(03:34):
And it went from there.
Speaker 5 (03:35):
Really wow.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
So what was the initial reaction from the world of
theater because it was a stage show? Was it a
stage show at first?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
Actually?
Speaker 5 (03:44):
No.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
I just received an email yesterday from the guy who
was the drummer, the original drummer in the theater upstairs
when we played the sixty three people per night, And
it was quite interesting because he said we knew I
didn't know that. He said we knew it was going
to be successful because everybody was having such a good time.
(04:06):
And I think that was is part of it. We
only expected it to run for three weeks, but we
were having the hell of a good time, and and
and that enthusiasm and that good time feel, and that
and that lack of lack of trying to sell it,
that lack of it. Look here, isn't this great lack
(04:27):
of all that because all we were doing was, you know,
having a wonderful time, dressing up and making believe and
singing some rock and roll songs. It was it was
such fun, and I think that was that's I think
that continues to be part of it its success.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
Actually, you know, one.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Of the things with the Rocky Horror is it just
it is a sort of a cult phenomenon, and so
people would dress up at all hours of the night.
They'd throw rice, they'd get into their favorite coat. Have
you ever got Have you ever gone to a show
in disguise almost and just hidden and watched what unfaults?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
I did? I did. I went to a long, long
time ago. I wound up in a cinema in Florida
and stood at the back, and as I went out,
I said to one of the people who've been in
the shadow car, so that was you're very that was
you did very well there. That was very nice. And
said thank you very much, thank you very much. And
I went past. And then the guy at the back
(05:19):
and that was packing up in his car. He said,
excuse me, you are you Richard O'Brian And I said, well,
yes I am. And then the girl, the girl i'd
just spoken to, flapped both hands on both cheeks, going,
oh my god, my god.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
As yeah, well, so you've now got a new show.
It's called the Kingdom of Bling. Tell us a little
bit about that, well, that this is to do.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
We can't none of us who love liberal democracy and
and and human rights and caring for others and the
rainbow community, none of us can allow this, this, this
slug to to be in a position of world power
we just got the world can't afford it.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
You're talking about Donald Trump.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Yes, I am. It is a disgusting human being. And
I and I and I just want everybody to wake up.
It looks as if he's imploding. It looks as if
he can't help himself, and he is he is, But
I just want everybody to see him for what he is.
I don't get it. He is so he is so dreadful,
isn't he? In every respect?
Speaker 5 (06:27):
It is?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
You're right, though, it's it's the world is very divided.
And the Trump supporters will remain steadfast and it doesn't
matter why. And he said that himself, Donald Trump, it
doesn't matter what he does, they will always support him.
And there's probably real truth in that.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
I don't understand. How can he be far right and
Christian at the same time.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
It's a strange mix. I agree with that. I agree
with that entirely so is he? Is he a character
in the Kingdom of Bling?
Speaker 5 (06:51):
What is he?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Well? Ye, the he, the he who runs the Kingdom
of Bling is in fact, yes, based slightly allegedly.
Speaker 5 (07:03):
Donald Trump, cover your bert. Are you are you happy
est on stage? Would you say, Richard?
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Am I happy?
Speaker 2 (07:12):
What?
Speaker 5 (07:13):
Are you happiest on stage? Is that what you?
Speaker 1 (07:15):
No?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
No, I'm happiest. I'm happiest sitting on the sofa with
the sketch pad on my knee and my iPad nearby,
and and and television flickering away, and it's cozy.
Speaker 5 (07:30):
Do you have a life partner?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
I do? I have? I have. I'm very, very blessed.
I'm deeply blessed with a with a darling human being
in my life, my wife, and she puts up with me.
And that's no mean for it. I can believe in me.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
That's lovely. Are you in the Kingdom of Bling? Sorry,
just to be narrator.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
One last thing and we'll take a quick break. When
you when you created the Rocky Horror Show, did you
is it difficult when you create something then to hand
it over to all the people that make it happen.
And do you sit there like directors and produces a
notoriously volatile and flamed point and get angry.
Speaker 5 (08:08):
Is it?
Speaker 3 (08:08):
That's all in movies? I know everybody was having a
good time, and everybody contributes. That's why you you know,
I'm not I'm not fond of opera because you have
to sing the notes. I like I like musicals because
what you do is you get you get your singer
to win the song. And there's that's the difference. And
(08:29):
and there's there's much much more freedom and no, it's
ever everybody contributes.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
Brilliant.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Our guest, and it is a special guest, A lovely guest.
Richard O'Brien, creator of the Rocky Horror Show. Thank you,
mate for your time very much.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
It's a great pleasure. I'm delighted to be here now.
Speaker 5 (08:46):
Richard.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
We understand that you live in todunger now, but what's
one place you never get tired of?
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Well, it's it's it's here, actually it is is actually
on this little plot of land that that that we
sit on at the front. We look out the front
of the porch and we look straight down the estuary
towards the harbor, towards the mountain. That is iconographic that
that that that mount has always meant something to me.
I missed it desperately that in days gone by looking
(09:16):
around to see it. There's always a comfort so here nice.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
What's one of the nicest compliments you've ever received in
your life. I'm sure there's been plenty.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Well, I don't don't know about that really, when you've
got a nice compliment, I suppose I said that the
most surprising one because I was never a hunk, you
know I was. I was actually quite a good looking boy,
and mothers loved me. They liked me very much. But
you know, I was never I was never the hunk.
(09:44):
And there I was. I just started the first day
of the Crystal Maize and one of the competitors was
in the dressing in their dressing room getting ready, doing
a little bit of makeup or something rather and I
and I went up and I tapped on the door,
and I'm fifty at the time, and she looked in
them in the mirror over me, and she's went, oh
(10:05):
my god, you're a hunk.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
Oh that's not.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
And I looked over my shoulder.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
That's a great story a female and.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Said that to me, hellow, you don't warn Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
Actually you were a hunch in the Rocky Horror Show.
But if you had the power, if you had the
power to change one thing in your world, what would
that be?
Speaker 3 (10:34):
If I had a wish, if I had the three wishes,
give me the three wishes. No guns, no gods, no greed.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
Oh interesting, all the jeez.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
We have a problem with number two, you and I Richard,
but we'll part that for another discussion. Hey mate, what
is something you thought was important when you were young,
but as you got older you thought, you know what,
it just didn't matter.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
I think all of vanity quite frankly, I think being
up yourself is that the silliest thing you could ever
ever do in your life. People pompouslying around thinking they're important,
and the graveyards full of people who were indispensable, and
you know, it's it's taking yourself too seriously? Is we
(11:18):
can take yourself seriously but not self importantly.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
That's nicely seen because we were discussing that on here
last week about the Olympics and how some athletes they
they just themselves so so arrogant. And that's again, it's
one of the things I don't get because a lot
of our callers phoned and said, Hey, that's part of
the show. That's what they do, that's how they hype
each other up. That's what they and I don't know.
I find it unappealing as well.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
It's brutality, and it's it's as if there's again trumpion,
He's brought this dog kind of element back into our lives.
We know it's there, but we've written above it and
when we've done better, and and and it's it's unhealthy
because you don't trust anybody. Finally, it's it's an ugly,
(12:04):
ugly world and there's no there's no This is one
of the reasons that the tour's going out, I think,
to just make sure we can all be a bit
happier and a bit safer and a bit saner about
these things.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Because when you see humility in its purest form, it's
just the most endearing quality of any human being.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
I reckon.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Yeah, I've witnessed it once with that lovely Australian singer
who was in Greece. What was her name? Yes, exactly,
So she was at the opening of an I'm Max
theater in Sydney, and I happened to be there that evening,
and she she stood up in front of this crowd,
and by the time she'd finished, I just the warmth
(12:44):
in your heart, for it was just it was just
lovely nice.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
Now, look, apart from the rocky horror show, what are
you most proud of in your life?
Speaker 5 (12:53):
So fast?
Speaker 3 (12:53):
I don't like pride. Pride comes before a fall, and
pride is a waste of time. I wish actually, you know,
we haven't gay, pride hadn't used the word, but I've
got to think that it means something else, like wicked
means groovy or cool, but pride is not. I mean pride.
Proud to be gay makes no sense. Proud to be
(13:14):
black makes no sense. Unashamed, completely unashamed. That's that's wonderful.
Speaker 5 (13:20):
What a great word.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Yeah, but doesn't make sense like you be proud to
be blonde? You know, it don't make me sense. And
I don't like pride. It is a sin as far
as I'm concerned, as a waste of time.
Speaker 5 (13:34):
What is one of the things you're most satisfied with
in your life?
Speaker 3 (13:40):
The fact that I'm loved by my family and my children,
you know, and it can't be an easy for them
having me as a dad either.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Oh, that's a lovely answer. That night, if you could
invite one person still alive for dinner, anybody, Richard, anybody
in the whole world that's alive, who would you hit
for dinner?
Speaker 3 (13:56):
I think I'd like to invite to dinner and say
thank you for looking after us during that dreadful time
of COVID. We were the best served country in the
world to her leadership, and we shouldn't. We should not
let not forget that. And there's a chap up in Auckland,
a market garden or something. Ord wrote something on the
(14:17):
ground beneath the flights coming in, something about just ind
how she browned him off on all the rest of it.
But I was thinking to myself, you may not have
been alive to being able to make that demonstration had
she not been a matilla. That never crossed his mind.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
Yeah, good on you, mate. Hey, look, thank you very
much for your time.
Speaker 5 (14:36):
Today.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
We finished six in a song with a song. So
what is the song you've chosen today?
Speaker 5 (14:41):
And why?
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Well, I'd like to something uplifting, something to make them
want to get up and move a little feel a
little better, a bit a bit of a form and
a very good message, a whole lot of love by
led Zeppe and that will do me.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
It will do you, and you'll do us. Lovely, lovely
to chat with you, Richard. You're a thoughtful, thoughtful man.
Thank you for your time. All the very best with
the Kingdom of Bling and just a reminder, folks. All
the details the tour dates where it's playing are on
news Talk Zidby's website.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
The show is starting to tour.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
In October and through to November, so those dates News
Talks Richard, all the very best, mate, Here.
Speaker 5 (15:20):
Is your song.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
For more from Simon Barnett and James Daniels afternoons, listen
live to News TALKSIDB, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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