Mamy Rock is a busy woman. The 69 year-old DJ is in the middle of a European tour and about to release her first single, Still Rocking. The snowy-haired grandmother (real name, Ruth Flowers) lives in Bristol but travels the continent playing her trademark mix of old and new sounds to a lively young audience. Fortunately, she found time for a quick chat with That's Not My Age:
TNMA: Did you go clubbing as a teenager?
MR: My teen years are in the distant past! We looked forward to the Saturday night dance , it was always a crowded affair, with energetic young people ready to jive or jitterbug or even do the quickstep or waltz. My sister and I knew all the latest songs, we spent our money on sheet music from Woolworths which cost one shilling (about five pence now).
TNMA: Do friends your own age come to see you DJ? What do they think of Mamy Rock?
MR: My friends love what I'm doing, they think as a DJ I'm just the greatest. I hope to be performing at some special venue in the UK soon so they can come and enjoy an evening dancing to my music.
TNMA: How would you describe the Mamy Rock look?
Casual with a bit of bling. My look is probably a bit OTT for many ladies of my age - I do like a satin or sequinned blouson - but it is very comfortable for prancing about in, and I love it!
TNMA: Can you give my readers some tips for stylish dressing?
MR: I wouldn't like to suggest how anyone else should dress, each one of us is different. Just dress for yourself, your style is right for you. If the young ones wish to copy my style, I consider it a compliment.
TNMA: What's on your playlist at the moment?
MR: I use a base of electro rock and house music mixed with some of my favourite older sounds (if the beat is right for moving to) like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Brenda Lee. But I also like; Elton John, James Brown, Freddie Mercury, Leona Lewis, Michael Jackson, some remixed Lady Gaga, David Guetta, Deadmau5, Lenny Kravitz, IMFAO and Daft Punk.
TNMA: What kind of music do you listen to in your spare time?
MR: I like to relax to classical music and sometimes traditional jazz too. I do appreciate a good voice, so it could be Freddie Mercury, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, or Placido Domingo.
TNMA: DJ-ing must be quite full-on, how do you relax?
MR: I enjoy walking, swimming and of course I love to dance - I have a dance tape that I use at home. I've always exercised. I did the London Marathon when I was 57 years-old!
TNMA: I have Blogger's Wrist which means I have to keep resting my right hand. Do you have any age-related problems that affect your DJ-ing?
MR: No, fortunately I am blessed with good health, otherwise it would be quite impossible to do what I do. My health is my first priority - long may it continue!
TNMA: Hear, hear!
Click here to see Mamy Rock behind the decks.
www.mamyrock.com