Scottish pop singer Lulu first hit the charts in 1963 with a rousing version of "Shout!" a song made famous by Isley Brothers and a staple of the "Frat Rock" set since it was used in the movie "Animal House" in 1978. Lulu had many other hits in the 1960's and as a teen singer wowed audiences with her powerful and gutsy vocals based more in blues and soul that light pop. 

Lulu has remained a huge star in England all these years and although never making it as big in America as she should have, she's remained in the limelight.

Lulu performed on "American Idol" a few seasons ago with her biggest hit, "To Sir, With Love," the song Lulu took to the top of the pop charts in 1967. She also starred in the film with Sidney Poitier about a bunch of rough and tumble London teens whose lives are transformed by a wonderful role model teacher at their high school. The song has been an anthem Lulu is identified with ever since.

"I never get tired of singing that song," Lulu remarked to me when I met her in Los Angeles when she was taping a PBS concert special. "It means so much to people as it was a true rite of passage in their lives, symbolizing the way a special person can make such a difference in the way we see the world."

Lulu looks absolutely amazing and she markets a line of skin and beauty products in little plastic containers (think L'Eggs pantyhose) called "Time Bombs." She is on television frequently in the UK and has appeared on stage in recent years and recorded with the likes of Elton John, Paul Mc Cartney, Sting and her newest devotee Robbie Williams who admitted having a huge crush on her in an interview last month.

Lulu has actually visited the desert recently when she attended last year's Palm Springs International Film Festival and she's been doing voice over work for Disney studios in recent years as well. She starred in a Disney stage music version of Alice in Wonderland as "The Queen Of Hearts" also and hopes to work more in the children's film arena, having recently become a grandmother. Lulu had a son in the late '60s with Bee Gees member Maurice Gibb, whom she was married to at the time.

"I love the simplicity of the desert life," Lulu said. "It is so the opposite of London. It is always dreary weather here (in London) and in Palm Desert the heat and warmth makes you feel so positive. It's the best place to rejuventate one's spirit."

Well it seems from the photos of Lulu that one can see "rejuvenation" is obviously agreeing with her and we hope Lulu will perform at a desert venue one day soon. She told me: "I would love to," but of course, the logistics are always the difficult part. 

Judging from Lulu's appearance on American Idol, this writer feels certain Lulu could knock it out of the park in performance at a Palm Springs or Palm Desert venue....maybe the Palm Springs Follies would be a likely showcase, or the McCallum Theatre? The video clips here speak for themselves. Lulu is here to stay!

You can visit Lulu's web site at: luluofficial.co.uk