Rosie Oddie interview (talks about Bill)
08/11/2009 00:00 GMT
Posted by lisa An article about Bill's daughter Rosie Oddie appeared in yesterday's edition of the Daily Record at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-interviews/2009/11/07/bill-od
die-s-rock-chick-daughter-strips-for-band-s-debut-single-86908-21804262/ In the interview Rosie mentions her famous father and his music:
Bill Oddie's rock chick daughter strips for band's debut single
Nov 7 2009
Rick Fulton
IN just a see-through vest top and pants, Rosie Oddie isn't wrong when she says she's not a good girl.
And she should know. The 23-year old singer, the only female in her band, is the daughter of Goodies comedy legendturned-birdwatcher Bill Oddie. On Monday, her band Oddyssey are about to release their debut single Black America - and for the video she strips to her vest and pants.
But Bill, 68, couldn't be prouder of his daughter's quest to become a singer.
She said: "Of course he's proud. He and my mum have been really supportive of everything I've wanted to do and always will be.
"That video was a nightmare. It took me about a month to do it.
"The paint was acrylic. It stuck to my scalp. But it was definitely worth it."
Rosie is the only daughter from Bill's second marriage to Laura Beaumont. He has two daughters from his first marriage, actress Kate Hardie and Bonnie.
Earlier this year, Bill was admitted to a psychiatric hospital to deal with depression. He's suffered from it for most of his life and it was clinically diagnosed in 2001.
It came two months after he quit the ever-popular Springwatch show he'd hosted for four years.
But his daughter said that he was much better.
"He's fine. He's on the mend.
"He's having some time out to decide what he wants to do.
"I'm sure he'll come back to Springwatch."
While it's only been a few years since the public found out about Bill's bouts of depression, Rosie grew up with it and is reluctant to reveal more than to say: "It is what it is.
"A lot of people have to deal with much worse."
Rosie is the latest of a new breed of young hopefuls who have a famous parent, from Lily Allen and Peaches Geldof to Kelly Osbourne and Nicole Richie.
She could have followed the example of Lily Allen's solo career and was approached at the age of 16 by Scot Alan McGee, who discovered Oasis, but said she "didn't want to do something proper".
When she was still in her teens, Spandau Ballet songwriter Gary Kemp, a friend of Rosie's half-sister Kate Hardie, introduced her to Polydor.
She did some demos but said they were too polished for her style.
Rosie said: "I could have gone for the solo career and pushed the family name. And there's been times when I've thought, maybe I should have done that, all those different chances would have benefited me.
"But it wasn't what I wanted. I want to be in a band.
"If I get a chance to do what I want, the satisfaction will be far higher than if I'd had that manufactured deal at a young age.
"It has been difficult because of the name, because it's so recognisable and it's hard to be taken seriously by some people.
"Doors open more but people are quicker to judge.
"If Peaches Geldof was to release a record, I'd be the same. I'd be quick to judge and think she's just getting a deal because of her dad.
"I just have to work really hard and make sure what I put out there is f***ing great."
Rosie knew Peaches Geldof because they both went to Queen's College, the exclusive girls' school on London's Harley Street.
Rosie admits she was a bit of a rebel: "I wasn't a good girl. I was rebellious, not hugely but there was an element.
"I was rowdy. The school was very forgiving and saw my potential."
She was musically talented at an early age - taught drums by her mum and then guitar by one of her dad's friends from when she was nine, beginning with Wonderwall by Oasis.
At school, she was in a band called Sushi, who performed Beatles covers at the school's jazz concerts.
She also discovered her dad's music.
Bill penned comedy trio The Goodies' quirky songs.
In 1975, they chalked up five hit singles in 12 months including The Inbetweenies and Funky Gibbon, which reached No.4 in the charts.
"I love my dad's music," says Rosie without any hint of embarrassment. "When I was younger and first discovered what he did, I used to play Funky Gibbon all the time.
"As well as comedy songs, musically they were very cleverly done.
"They weren't just skits, they were intelligently put together songs. My favourite is Black Pudding Bertha."
A keen artist too, Rosie was studying illustration at Camberwell College of Arts but dropped out when she won a songwriting competition.
For the past couple of years, she has fronted a band called Rosie Oddie and the Odd Squad - an art-folk band.
They have mutated into Oddyssey -an art-rock outfit who are a bit Blondie, a bit Paramore.
She says she is definitely not trying to be like Lily Allen, daughter of Comic Strip actor Keith.
Rosie said: "I've never met her. They compare us because we are London girls.
"I have never wanted to be a solo artist. I would get lonely. I love being part of a band."
The Goodies trio made us laugh - Rosie is hoping her band will make us rock. | 
