Back in the 80s Lee Aaron from Canada took the Hard’n’Heavy-scene - being one of the first female singers - by storm and became the Metal Queen. After a bunch of successful albums she almost disappeared and did some experimental Jazz far beyond bigger audiences but now she’s back on stage performing the good old stuff from the good old times.
Autona: Hi Lee, how are you? After your Jazz period you're back in the
Hard'n'Heavy-scene and you played some big festivals like The Rock
Festival in Sweden. How did it feel to be surrounded by that many
metal heads?
Lee Aaron: Great! There is something really raw and honest about metal fans, you know. They like it loud and proud and don't over intellectualize it, which is a beautiful thing. It was my first show ever in Sweden but it felt more like a homecoming…
Autona: On these festivals you surely meet familiar bands that also grew up in the 80s. Do you meet them after the show and is there a special
relationship between you and separate bands ... maybe Honeymoon Suite?
Lee: Well, for those of us who played on the same circuit years ago, it’s like saying hello to old pals backstage. Even though we don’t see each other that often, we have the same funny stories about the same places and the same experiences, so there’s a lot in common. Johnny (from Honeymoon Suite) reminded me of when we first met years ago at a club in Thunder Bay,Ontario. It was my 19th birthday and I told him that I was writing these songs and was going to make records. He said the difference between me and the 100 other punks who had told him the same story is that I actually did it.
Autona: At the last interview you told me about your personal music library and you tried different styles and now you're musically back where you started. Is is more fun rocking on stage instead of performing Jazz
songs?
Lee: I’ve often said that there is nothing quite as exhilarating as strapping on a guitar and rocking out – and I still get such a thrill doing that. I love it. But there are great things about the nuances of singing jazz too. Jazz is more improvised night to night and therefore, always unpredictable. Sometimes, something so amazing and musical happens – it’s magical and ‘in the moment’ and never happens again. I love that too. I guess I’d have to say I really like both, but for different reasons.
Autona: As a true fan here's my most important question ... can we expect a new Hard Rock album soon?
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Autona: The last time you showed up in Germany is a long time ago. Wouldn't it be interesting to stop by for a couple of club shows?
Lee: Club shows unfortunately, don’t pay enough to fly a whole band overseas, however a festival show could make it workable. I would love to come back to Germany for a festival or two. That would be so great! But fans need to request you….
Autona: How can you explain that there are so many people out there - even young people - who likes the 80s Rock and Metal?
Lee: Back then, the bands wrote memorable songs. It seems - as great as the advent of digital technology is – that with it, bands have lost the art of good songwriting. New music software makes it possible to craft a song without knowing how to play your instrument or sing in tune, and to their detriment. We didn’t have any of that wizardry back then. Thank goodness!
Autona: Thank you so much for the interview.
Lee: My pleasure.
