FEW things endure the ages.

Harold Wilson’s Labour government; Liverpool’s title-winning dominance; Peter Sellars marriage to Britt Ekland - 1964 promised much but rarely did the promise last.

However, when a 15-year-old singer called Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie tore her vocal cords through a blues stained rendition of the Isley Brothers’ track Shout it was clear this performer would survive the times.

And this renowned voice caught up with The Gazette as she headed towards sunny Buxton before her date at Basingstoke’s The Anvil.

The singer is of course better known as Lulu. Thrust into the glamour of the swinging sixties from her picturesque roots in Lennoxtown, Scotland, Lulu would go on to eclipse everything her 3,000 strong hometown parish could ever dream of. Grammy nominations, a hit TV show, a marriage to a Beegee. The world surrounding Lulu has always seemed to be lights, zeal and entertainment.

“It’s a different world now,” Lulu told The Gazette.

“I find myself on the road now stopping at Nando’s - which is my guilty pleasure - but in the sixties I would be bumping into the Animals, the Beatles, the Stones in the service stations as all the bands would go up and down the M1.

“It was really special because we’d then all meet up again in the evening and go out partying.”

Lulu has produced some of cinema’s most arresting title tracks including 1974’s, John Barry collaboration The Man with the Golden Gun, as well as delivering a Eurovision-winning entry entitled Boom Bang-a-Bang – a track that would later get banned by the BBC during 1991’s Gulf War.

Her 52 years as a performer has felt consistent; every time questions are asked of her, a reminding punch is roundly delivered. 1993? A duet with pop juggernauts Take That blasts across the airwaves as Relight My Fire becomes the singer’s first UK Number One chart entry. 2002? Aided by the dulcet tones of former Boyzone member Ronan Keating on We’ve Got Tonight, another hit is born.

What’s most surprising about Lulu, however, is the simplicity in her voice when she rattles off her memories of a career which has covered six decades.

“I have so many American friends who are just like ‘oh my God you were there when this happened’ and ‘you did this’ – I sometimes forget what has happened."

“There’s been so many moments; first time I saw The Beatles, first time The Beatles spoke about my record, meeting Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner recording my song.

“But these are all things I can talk about on stage and let my audience into.”

Last year her comeback album Making Life Rhyme, Lulu’s first original album for 10 years, rebooted her once again. The album was created by Lulu and her brother Billy (“the talented one,” Lulu is quick to remind) and earned applause for its private, soulful sound.

And even though she has experienced the “highs and lows” of fame, one thing has remained constant for her and her audiences.

“It’s all about having a good night out - that’s the bottom line.

“This tour and album has been like my rebirth.

“I couldn’t believe the reaction we got at Glastonbury. I suppose we’re finally getting it right.

“Every night of this tour people have been yelling, screaming shouting, tearing the house down.”

You can read The Gazette's interview with Lulu on the leisure section of our website at basingstokegazette.co.uk/leisure. Lulu will be performing at The Anvil on March 31. For more information about tickets visit anvilarts.org.uk.