Singer-songwriter Gary Go cherishes Wembley Stadium gig

When little known singer-songwriter, Gary Go, was growing up in the shadow of Wembley Stadium he spent many a day with his window open listening to the distant sounds of a concert.

Over the years it has become one of the places musicians dream of playing beneath the lit-up arches in front of thousands.

But this dream is about to become a reality for 24-year-old Gary, who has been given his big break by boy band Take That.

The bespectacled artist was delighted on Wednesday last week when it was announced he had been selected to open the band's 19-date tour this year.

He told the Observer: "The last couple of days have been really weird.

"It all feels so real now. I'm so excited that I get to play Wembley Stadium because that is where I grew up so it will be extra special."

When Gary, whose real name is Gary Baker, was just eight-years-old he remembers pounding out compositions on his toy Casio keyboard given to him by his cousin.

Soon he was listening to David Bowie, T-Rex and Beatles records and was figuring out how to record his own tracks at his home in Preston Road.

Living just a stone's throw away from the old stadium's Twin Towers, a pre-teen Gary was also hugely inspired by the live sounds of the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson.

He said: "I remember the Dangerous tour and ran out into the garden. I could hear Billy Jean being belted out over the crowds. I also remember Madonna.

"Wembley Stadium is the ultimate venue. Lengendary events have happened there.

"To play at Wembley will be a dream come true."

After leaving Buckingham College School in Harrow at 16, Gary clearly remembers his parents telling him to get a job.

He said: "I knew I didn't want to go to university and that I wanted to make music but my parents wanted me to get a job.

"They just said, Gary, go, and that was it.

"That moment has stayed with me and it is also where I got my name from, Gary Go."

Gary, who was also pupil at Mount Stuart Infant School in Kenton, started a bottom-rung job at a record company and recording studio in Willesden making tea and sorting mail.

He said: "I had no connections in music but I thought this might be a way in.

"I ended up learning a lot and knew that music was what I wanted to do."

Recruiting old school friends Gary then assembled a band and a selection of songs to produce the So So EP and released 500 copies under his home-run label The Canvas Room records.

He has worked for Eurythmic Dave Stewart's record label, Artist Network, but remembers flunking an interview at Peter GabrielÕs Real World recording studios in Bath.

Gary returned to London convinced he had blown his biggest chance. Little did he know his tracks had caught the ear of a US producer, who invited him to use his New Jersey recording studio and rent a room in a house where Frank Sinatra grew up.

He said: "There was no way I was going to turn this down. But I got quite lonely over there on my own.

"That is when I wrote Wonderful to try and pick me up.

"The rest of the album just followed."

So now after writing and recording around the world and having his own Canvas Room studio in Queen's Park, Gary is set to release his debut album and take the Take That tour by storm.

Asked where he thinks he will be in five years time the musician said: "I just want to continue playing music and having fun.

"Who knows, maybe I will be headlining my own tour in my home town one day."