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Musical Legends: Graham Lyle

Graham Lyle

23/02/2012

BBC Radio Scotland - Musical Legends, Graham Lyle

The songwriter for Tina Turner and Michael Jackson tells Tom Morton about his career.

4 Extra Debut. The musician has written songs for Tina Turner and Michael Jackson. He tells Tom Morton about his musical career. From September 2012.

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Graham Lyle has written songs for some of the biggest names in pop music.

Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and Art Garfunkel have all recorded songs he's had a hand in. 

Born in Bellshill near Glasgow Graham first performed in a local soul band along with Benny Gallagher.

Signed by Paul McCartney as staff writers for Apple Records, Graham and Benny moved to London where they wrote songs for the likes of Mary Hopkin. 

In the late 1960's Graham and Benny joined McGuinness Flint and they wrote the band's most successful songs, 'When I'm Dead and Gone' and 'Malt and Barley Blues'. 

As Gallagher and Lyle they enjoyed chart success in the 1970's with songs like 'Heart on My Sleeve' and 'I Wanna Stay with You'.

After the partnership with Benny ended Graham went on to write many hit songs and BBC Radio Scotland presenter Tom Morton says 'he could be the most successful pop songwriter ever to come out of Scotland'. 

Back together again with Benny Gallagher they are to tour again and have dates in Scotland this March.

Graham tells Tom Morton about his extraordinary career in the music industry, how he still loves to write songs and how he's looking forward again to hitting the road and touring as Gallagher and Lyle.

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