66-year-old singer-songwriter and self-proclaimed “dyke in a hat”, Anita Gabrielle, has spent her life fighting against obstacles put in her path, from being a woman to being gay and as an older woman in the music industry, she still finds her opportunities to be heard limited. However, for the Bedford based singer’s latest releases EP, ‘Just Neat’ and the single, ‘Best Friends’, she has found inspiration from her brother, Michael, who lives with Parkinson’s Disease and is looking to raise both awareness and funds to assist others affected by the condition.
“The journey has been a mixed experience with some wonderful ups and some difficult Downs,” Anita begins. “The most wonderful thing has been the support I have received from so many people so that I have exceeded several goals I set on my just giving page. On the music front, I am very pleased with the production Ben Garraway achieved on the EP and, of course, Ed Sheeran’s friend and co-writer Amy Wadge singing and playing on the EP was a dream come true”
Obviously though, throughout a pandemic, times are tough, and Anita has struggled with staying upbeat.
“The difficult part has been to keep positive during this pandemic and, of course, the reason I am fund raising for Parkinson’s UK because my beloved brother has been diagnosed with the disease. I have been very sad that he, along with all the thousands of people who have Parkinson’s, have to learn to live with the illness.”
Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s in the UK and it is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. With other fifty years of research history, the condition is most understood today than it ever was. We are getting closer to finding a cure every day; however, this is only possible with funding for life-saving research. Anita expresses that instantly as her brother was diagnosed, she wanted to do something to help.
“I think it’s important to know that Parkinson’s is not a terminal disease and that people can live with it for many years. Alongside this, the person with the disease will always be the person you care about. The disease may cause difficulties but there’s good support out there. There’s so much useful information available from Parkinson’s UK not just for those with the disease but for carers/family too. I would advise anyone to contact Parkinson’s UK”
Growing up, Anita and her brother Michael were taken to lots of concerts by their mother where she developed her love for music. She then started guitar lessons in 1968 after Michael introduced her to Joni Mitchell.
“Joni has been a big influence on my music because of the quality of her lyric writing, her innovative, constantly changing and evolving musical styles and her brilliant guitar playing – which led her to develop dozens of different guitar tunings. I have met her three times in my life and she was great fun and very generous in her spirit. I also owned a stage guitar used by Joni in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s and led a tribute to her in the UK for her 60th birthday in 2003”
As a strong voice for LGBTQ+ community, women in music and Parkinson’s disease, Anita proves an inspiration for many.
“I would see myself as I role model for anybody. It’s up to people to find what matters to them and decide who they see as role models.”
Anita has marched for women’s abortion rights in the ‘70s, against Clause 28 in the ‘80s and most recently she campaigned for WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality). Anita is proving that nothing can stop her from continuing to be a role model for people everywhere and age really has no limits.
‘I Want to Go Outside Again (Let’s All Dream)’ is available here
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