A behind-the-scenes look at the music Tessa has sung on — the sessions, the stages, and the stories that never made the liner notes.
Featured moments
David Bowie
"Heroes"
David Bowie introduced me onstage as 'Theresa' before launching into Heroes. Standing in front of 72,000 people at Wembley — and a global TV audience of nearly two billion — was something I will never forget. The energy was unlike anything I had experienced before or since.
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Eric Clapton
"Layla / Tears in Heaven" — Unplugged
The Unplugged session was intimate and electric at the same time. Eric stripped everything back — no pyrotechnics, just the songs. Layla reimagined acoustically, Tears in Heaven raw and honest. It became the biggest-selling live album of all time, and I was there in that room.
The Police
"Every Breath You Take" — Synchronicity
Sting called me personally to join the tour. It was my first big international break — stadiums across America, Europe, Japan. The Synchronicity album was at number one everywhere. I was twenty-two years old and suddenly singing to the world.
Duran Duran
"Notorious" — Notorious
Recorded at London's AIR Studios, Notorious was my first time working with Nile Rodgers, a musical hero of mine, and I was keen to impress. The track had the funk! Nile's unmistakable influence brought a fresh energy to Duran Duran, and to me it felt like a reinvention of the band, perfectly capturing the zeitgeist of dance and pop coming together. I sang the melody alongside Simon Le Bon on the choruses and bridges, but one of my quirkiest contributions was a sharp intake of breath, a gasp heard in the intro and again after the line "Girls will keep the secrets" in the second verse. Sometimes the smallest details become the most memorable parts of a production. Nearly forty years later, that irresistible groove still sounds as fresh and infectious as ever. It was the beginning of a musical relationship with Duran Duran that would continue for many years.
"Come Undone" — Duran Duran (The Wedding Album)
Duran Duran invited me to record Come Undone for what became known as The Wedding Album. The session took place at guitarist Warren Cuccurullo's house, where his living room had been transformed into a studio, complete with candles, lava lamps and rock 'n' roll ephemera. I loved the track immediately. Warren's hypnotic guitar riff, the sensual groove and Simon Le Bon's distinctive vocal created something magical. My contribution was a pleading vocal on the bridge, with the melody sitting right at the top of my range. I suggested trying a softer, breathier approach, but Nick Rhodes wasn't convinced. He wanted something with more power and edge. So, with his encouragement, I unleashed my inner diva and gave it everything! The result was a raw, emotional performance that worked against Simon's voice. Released in 1993, Come Undone became another international hit for the band, following the success of Ordinary World. More than thirty years later, it remains my favourite Duran Duran recording. There's something timeless about its haunting melody and intoxicating ambiance, and I still get a thrill hearing my voice on the track, remembering that wonderfully eccentric evening in Warren's living room.
Robbie Williams
"Rock DJ" — Sing When You're Winning
Robbie was at the absolute peak of his powers in 2000. Rock DJ was a phenomenon — the video, the performances, the sheer scale of it. Being part of his live band for those years meant playing to some of the biggest crowds in the world.
Various Artists
"Something / While My Guitar Gently Weeps" — Concert for George
Taking part in Concert for George at London's Royal Albert Hall in November 2002 was an experience I'll never forget. Organised by Eric Clapton to celebrate the life and music of George Harrison, the evening brought together a dazzling array of musicians and friends, including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Dhani and Olivia Harrison, Tom Petty, Joe Brown, Anoushka Shankar and Jeff Lynne. There was something deeply moving about sharing the stage with so many remarkable artists, all united by their affection and respect for George. The atmosphere was unlike any concert I'd experienced before, a mixture of joy, sadness, warmth and celebration. It felt less like a concert and more like a gathering of old friends, remembering someone they loved through the music he'd left behind. I was very proud to have been part of it. Performing Something and While My Guitar Gently Weeps were my personal highlights. Glancing over at Eric, Paul and Ringo performing George's songs together will be forever embedded in my memory. A stand out memory for me was during rehearsals Paul commented 'The funny thing is, if George knew about us all getting together for him he'd probably hate it' How very Beatles of him!
Eric Clapton / Mark Knopfler
"Sultans of Swing / Wonderful Tonight"
120,000 people in the grounds of Knebworth House for the Nordoff-Robbins charity concert. Alongside Katie Kissoon I sang with Eric's band, and we also backed Mark Knopfler — one of the great guitarists of his generation. The scale of it was breathtaking.
Tina Turner
"The Best" — Foreign Affair
The Best has become one of Tina's signature anthems. A song that seems to grow bigger with every passing year. Recording the backing vocals was one of those sessions where you knew immediately you were part of something special. That chorus is simply unstoppable.
"What's Love Got to Do with It" — Private Dancer
Private Dancer was the comeback album that redefined Tina Turner's career. What's Love Got to Do with It went to number one on both sides of the Atlantic. Being part of that record felt like witnessing history.
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"Layla / Tears in Heaven"
"Every Breath You Take"
"Notorious"
"Come Undone"
"Rock DJ"
"Something / While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
"The Best"
"What's Love Got to Do with It"
