LUXE Serendipity magazine

By Donna Richardson

It was a time of cassette tapes, and the thrill of Top of the Pops dropping the latest hit into your living room. For those who lived through the 1990s, pop music seemed to explode everywhere- radio, TV, live shows. Looking back now, it’s almost surreal to consider that some of those iconic moments are approaching their 30-year mark.

Three decades- that’s like the 60’s felt in the nineties to us. For many artists of that era, the nostalgia is palpable, as they reconnect with fans, revisit their hits, and reflect on the journey.

For those of us (writer included) who were coming of age in the 90s, it still feels like yesterday -and for the drummer of Let Loose, Lee Murray, whose band was famous for bringing us “Crazy for You,” it was a decade that defined a generation. He’s still carrying that magic forward today as he and the reformed band prepare for a gig at Butlins in Bognor Regis.

Lee, now 55, remembers it all vividly. “Looking back, there were some incredible moments. I mean, to be on Top of the Pops was the sort of thing you dream of as a kid. There was nothing much to do in the late eighties -you either played football, watched Top of the Pops, or both. It was the only thing really around because the internet wasn’t there, so I dreamed of being on Top of the Pops.” “Imagine no TikTok, no talent shows. Just music. I dreamt of being on that stage.”

Music consumed him from a young age. “I played my drums all the time; it was completely my life. I’ve not had an official diagnosis of ADHD but I have had professionals tell me I show all the behavioural signs. Having ADHD made things challenging. I was frequently reprimanded in school for not being able to control my energy, but drumming became my salvation. It provided me with a channel to focus that energy and express my emotions creatively.”

His breakthrough moment came when he answered a classified ad in *Melody Maker* at just 16 years old. “I vividly remember my dad driving me to the audition. We were young and brimming with potential, and the 90s was undeniably a magical era for music. With the rise of pop groups and the impending explosion of Britpop, it felt electric. Oasis, Blur, the Spice Girls—everyone wanted in.”

Let Loose signed with Mercury Records after Virgin Records was sold to EMI. “In 1994, ‘Crazy for You’ soared to number 2 on the charts, right behind Wet Wet Wet’s ‘Love is All Around.’ We joked with Marti Pellow about sharing the same record label—it was all in good fun!”

Lee fondly remembers the moment when “Crazy for You” began climbing the charts. “I can still picture us in the back of a car, caught up in the excitement of the midweek chart. We ran up and down the streets of Edinburgh, ecstatic. They told us we were set to appear on *Top of the Pops,* and when that moment arrived, it felt like a dream come true.”

After their chart-topping success, the whirlwind of touring began. “We initially released ‘Crazy for You’ in ’93, but it didn’t quite make waves. It was the remix in ’94 during the height of *Four Weddings and a Funeral* that captured the audience’s attention. That summer was unforgettable – a golden moment in many people’s lives.” “We lingered at number two for five incredible weeks, just behind Wet Wet Wet. It was surreal, having Elton John nipping at our heels. You can’t take that away from us.

Top of The Pops

“Being on *Top of the Pops* was the ultimate dream for any kid. In the late 80s, there wasn’t a lot to do—you either played football, watched *Top of the Pops*, or both. It was a cultural cornerstone, especially since the internet didn’t exist then. I longed to stand on that stage.” He adds, “Imagine a world without TikTok or talent shows—just pure music. That’s where my dreams began.”

“We performed on *Top of the Pops* ten or eleven times with that song, and each time felt surreal. As a kid, you dream of being there, and suddenly, there you are, behind your drums, thinking, “This is it—I’m living the dream.”

“Suddenly, we were thrust into the limelight—TV appearances, rigorous rehearsals, and fans everywhere. It was exhilarating but intense. That’s when it truly sank in.”

A highlight of the experience was watching other performances live. “I remember standing in the audience, soaking it all in as Take That performed ‘Back for Good.’

Rob had dyed his hair red, and the entire band was sitting on stools. It was against the rules to be part of the crowd, but I would cleverly conceal myself behind a camera just to catch the action.

“Seeing iconic acts like Blur and Oasis, even Take That live in the studio is something you never forget.”

“Even the everyday moments left an indelible mark. “There were long days of rehearsals, lounging in the corridors, checking into a hotel, and then coming back to rehearse again. Yet, amidst it all, seeing personalities like Paula Yates bouncing around was simply amazing.”

The behind-the-scenes reality was a far cry from the glamorous facade seen on television. “People often imagine glitz and glamour, but it was more like a bustling school corridor with cramped dressing rooms. You’d find yourself sitting on plastic chairs outside the studio, eagerly waiting your turn. Walking past artists like Blur, Take That, Oasis, and even Tom Jones was both surreal and magical.”

The atmosphere of *Top of the Pops* was a strange blend of fame and familiarity. “On TV, the show appeared grand, yet it was a tiny studio infused with 60s vibes. It felt like a slice of history as we waited on those plastic chairs.”

Then there was that cheeky moment when I found myself sitting behind the Sex Pistols’ drum kit—one of those mischievous schoolboy escapades. The dressing rooms were cosy, to say the least. One of the most surreal moments of that journey was when Cilla Black surprised me with a birthday cake, the audience joining in!

Zoe Ball who presented Top of the Pops, spent a week with us in Prague and ended up becoming an extra in the video. There’s a clip of her on a bike, riding past while we lip-sync to the camera – it’s really funny!” “She’s one of those personalities who really knows how to party – an original ladette. “Here we were in a beautiful city, and there was a lot of rock and roll that week in Prague.”

Something about the 90s was very exciting. *Top of the Pops* was my reference point for music and the charts. When it disappeared, I felt lost and had no idea who was making music or what was popular anymore.

Now and then

Fast forward to 30 years later and Lee says, “My sons often ask, ‘Have you heard of this artist?’ and play me some music I’ve never heard of. They’ll mention that the artist has four million streams on Spotify.

“Back in the 90s, anyone with that kind of traction would have been incredibly famous. All the shows featured the bands, but it doesn’t operate like that anymore. “

Nowadays, you can still be quite anonymous and reach a large audience while being successful. That can be a good thing, as it likely means they don’t have to deal with the same level of intrusion that can affect mental health.

“Even after decades, the music continues to bring people together, proving that the songs themselves transcend time.

“The industry has changed dramatically. Back then, anyone with traction was everywhere -on TV, in record shops, and in the charts. Now, artists can accumulate billions of streams while remaining somewhat anonymous.

“It’s a different landscape, but in some ways, that’s a positive change. There’s less intrusion, allowing people to focus on the music.

“The energy brought by fans was unforgettable. “Crazy for You” resonated deeply with so many listeners. To this day, as I drop my kids off at school, I’m often approached by mums reminiscing, “That was my wedding song.” The track became synonymous with that vibrant era, that long, sun-soaked summer of ’94.”

Coming to terms with the after effects of fame and discovering and embracing his neurodiversity

“It wasn’t always glamorous. The schedules were relentless. I was in my early 20s and went for months without a day off. My neurodiversity made the pop industry a uniquely challenging environment. Touring meant endless rehearsals, TV appearances, long days, and no breaks -it was overwhelming.

“My brain doesn’t switch off easily, and with ADHD, everything felt intensely exhausting. Drumming helped me come out of my shell and became a form of therapy while I dealt with ADHD.

“But when the band broke up, and the phone stopped ringing, it was hard to deal with. I stepped away from music for a while to cope with the negative impact, I was lost for a bit.

Teaching Drumming

“However, I eventually found a new path in teaching drumming. Teaching others, particularly kids struggling with neurodiversity or anxiety, has been incredibly rewarding. Some of my students are now seriously pursuing drumming and even launching music careers. Watching them develop and recognising familiar faces from those 90s crowds is amazing.

“Through it all, I’ve channelled my experiences into teaching drums to kids with ADHD and autism. I’ve witnessed students transform from feeling lost to becoming confident performers. Music, especially drumming, rewires the brain, building focus and confidence.

“Coming to terms with my depression and “ADHD has been a journey. Drumming positively impacts neuropathways for neurodiverse people. The spectrum is broad, and it significantly affects confidence. People with ADHD, ADD, and those on the autistic spectrum often struggle to connect with others.

“You can get obsessed with something, then switch to obsessing about not doing it, feeling restless and overwhelmed. Looking back, I realized I ticked all the boxes from an early age.

“I remember being in tears in the headmaster’s office after yet another meltdown, not really knowing why. Back then, there was no special education support; they simply didn’t understand. Thankfully, things have changed, but it was tough back then. Throughout my teenage years and into my 20s, I felt odd and alone, often not fitting in. Making friends was difficult, and I struggled with connections, learning to mask my true self in social situations.

“Even during media interviews, I know what’s expected of me, but introducing myself to someone new still feels like a challenge.

“Drumming has been transformative for me. Many students leave my lessons with newfound confidence. It brought me out of my shell; it became my therapy. Music saved me in ways I didn’t even understand at the time. Becoming a teacher has opened my eyes, especially as I recognize my own challenges in my mid-50s. Now, I find fulfillment in helping others.

“Drumming helped me channel the chaos in my mind into rhythm, allowing me to focus, release pent-up energy, and find calm. I’ve dedicated my life to teaching drumming because I see the difference it makes for kids with ADHD and autism every day. It’s not just about making music; it’s about building confidence, providing structure, and achieving something meaningful.

“Drumming was therapy for me. I could channel everything that was chaotic in my head into rhythm. It helped me focus, release energy, and even calm down. That’s why I’ve dedicated so much of my life to teaching it. I see it make a difference for kids with ADHD and autism every day. It’s not just music -it’s confidence, it’s structure, it’s something they can achieve.”

Fans and gigs

2025 has been a remarkable comeback year for the band, with a reformation that saw Matt Pateman from Bad Boys Inc stepping in for lead singer Richie Wermerling.

Lee shared, “We’ve played gigs at Pizza Express, Butlins Minehead, The Pheasantry, and we’re heading to Butlins Bognor this Sunday.

“It is incredible to reconnect with fans and the music that defined our youth.”

Many fans who once camped outside for a glimpse of the band have now become parents, bringing their children along to shows. Lee emphasizes, “It’s incredible to see familiar faces from the 90s bringing the next generation.

“It really highlights the longevity of the music and the connection we built with people.”

Reflecting on their music, he explains, “The old hits bring everyone together. It’s that shared memory, that collective energy – it feels like yesterday.”

Butlins has a special significance for him. “The summers at Butlins were magical. Hundreds of kids, families, everyone singing along.

That raw fan energy – it’s hard to describe. You felt that 90s pop magic in a way that only live shows could give you.”

He continues, “I look out in the audience, and some of them are the same faces I used to see at Top of the Pops. Now they bring their kids, which is incredible. We play the old hits and they sing along just as passionately. It shows how much that music means, and still means, to people.”

Lee treasures the traditions he shares with fans, such as throwing drumsticks into the crowd, which some fans have kept for decades. The nostalgia of those moments feels almost like yesterday, with the energy and excitement from the 90s still vibrant at every gig.

Years later, he draws from this experience to support the next generation of musicians. Reflecting on their journey, he states,

“The 90s were a special era for pop, for fans, for music culture. It was raw, exciting, and a little chaotic. Now, revisiting it, playing for fans, teaching the next generation – sometimes it all feels like it happened yesterday. And that’s the magic of it. We are back performing and will continue as long as the fans want it. I feel so old now, but it’s amazing to revisit those songs—it really feels like yesterday when we were on Top of The Pops.”

Don’t miss Let Loose live at Butlin’s Bognor Regis!
Get your friends together and head down for an unforgettable weekend: the band will be playing their classic hits and latest show on the 90s Reloaded Weekender at Butlin’s Bognor Regis (7–9 November 2025). butlins.com

Whether you know them from the chart‑toppers, the roadshows, or just love a great live set, this is your chance to be up‑close and relive the glory days (and make new memories). Grab your tickets now – it’s going to be fun, nostalgic and full of energy.

See you there!