Clare Grogan, the 63-year-old Scottish pop star who first captured hearts as the lead singer of New Wave band Altered Images, looks like she hasn’t aged a day.
With her band preparing a UK tour to celebrate the 45th anniversary of their biggest hit, Happy Birthday, fans are reminded of the enduring charm and energy that made Clare a household name.
Despite topping charts in the early 1980s, Clare admits that fame didn’t translate into financial security.
“Even at the peak, I was earning £75 a week,” she told The Mirror.
The band scored six UK Top 40 singles and three Top 30 albums, yet the members were largely “penniless” during their glory days.
Clare reflects on how, in their eagerness to be part of the music industry, they never questioned the messy business practices that left them underpaid.
Lessons from the 80s Music Industry
Looking back, Clare calls their blind trust in industry figures “a big mistake.”
She explained, “There seemed something vulgar about talking about money. We just wanted to be part of it and didn’t ask the right questions.”
That lack of scrutiny, she says, left them struggling financially despite international success, with hits reaching as far as Australia and Japan.
Clare’s experiences echo a common story among 80s bands: success on the charts didn’t always equal financial stability.
Even when signing a record deal for around £50,000—a sum that seemed enormous at the time—the band’s earnings barely made a difference.
Clare notes that her weekly pay then was only slightly above the tips she earned as a teenage waitress.
Life Beyond the Spotlight
Music wasn’t Clare’s only avenue for creativity.
She also built a successful acting career, most famously starring in the 1981 cult comedy Gregory’s Girl.
The film, which still ranks among the top 30 high school movies alongside Grease and Fame, even counts Martin Scorsese as a fan.
Clare plays Susan, the character who eventually wins the heart of the awkward teen Gregory, but she nearly turned down the role.
She recalls being hesitant when the director first asked for her number while she worked as a waitress: “I was 17 and thought, ‘It’s a guy in his pants with a camcorder, so I’ll just say no.’”
Thankfully, persistence and encouragement from her manager convinced her to meet him, leading to what would become an iconic role.
Clare says the film continues to resonate because of its universal story of unrequited crushes and teenage awkwardness.
Personal Triumphs and Family Life
Offstage, Clare has faced significant personal challenges.
She and her husband, Stephen Lironi—who joined Altered Images and married Clare in 1994—experienced six miscarriages and four unsuccessful rounds of IVF before adopting their daughter Ellie in 2005.
Even now, Clare admits to feeling anxious about her financial future, reflecting on her rocky start in the music industry.
Despite this, she and Altered Images remain vibrant performers, touring European festivals last summer and planning more shows across the UK this year.
“I’d have been mortified if someone had told me I’d still be singing Happy Birthday in my 60s!” she laughed.
Creativity That Lasts
Clare’s talents extend beyond music and film; she has also authored children’s novels and appeared in popular TV series such as EastEnders and Red Dwarf.
Her career serves as a testament to adaptability, resilience, and enduring talent.
From chart-topping songs to beloved film performances, Clare Grogan remains an icon of the 80s who continues to inspire new generations.
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