20 • DECEMBER 2021
at rock star Bob Geldof ’s wedding
to presenter Paula Yates, and was
snapped in one of their wedding
photographs standing next to
David Bowie. Eighties icons such
as George Michael and pop groups
Ultravox, and Duran Duran, also
share the picture. “I was there with
my mum and dad. They had never
seen anything like it in their lives,”
says Aled. “I went around with this
autograph book asking all these
legends to sign it.” Though most did,
apparently “the guys from Spandau
Ballet” told him “to leave them
alone”, he relates.
Other performances included
singing for the Prince and Princess
of Wales, appearing on the Royal
Variety Show and at the Hollywood
Bowl (LA), where he shared the
stage with conductor/composer
Leonard Bernstein. He “had more
impact on me than almost any
other of countless great talents I was
privileged to meet as a boy”, he adds.School, homework, and family life
must have been very tricky, I venture.
Aled agrees. “It was a mad, mad
year. Probably the busiest I have ever
been. And I was trying to do my O
levels! I look back and think, It would
have been a lot easier for my parents,
if their son had been a normal kid.
My father is very shy; I think he
would have much rather been in the
garden than have to come to London
with me every weekend. They were
fantastically supportive but secretly
I think my father was thrilled when I
was 18 and I could go on my own.”INTERVIEW: ALED JONES
US music
composer
Leonard
Bernstein and
a young
Aled JonesGABOR^SCOTT/SHUTTERSTOCK