There was a time when Kenni Wenna’s dreams of stardom looked set to remain just that – dreams.
The 58-year-old builder, from Walthamstow, thought he’d hit the big time during the ‘90s when he was offered a life changing contract by Cargill Bruce, the boss of independent Manchester record label Global I, after he was spotted busking.
But when Global I collapsed, his recording deal fell through and the father-of-two was left wondering just what could have been.
Fast forward 15 years and Kenni is on the verge of eviction, when Cargill discovers his demo tape in a chance rummage in his garage, and recognising Kenni’s potential, offers him a £250,000 recording contract.
Skip even further ahead to 2013 and Kenni’s got an album out – Real Lite, of which single One of These Sundays has found chart success, and he’s set to appear at the One Love Festival.
When I speak with him, he’s back in the recording studio, laying down tracks for a new project.
“It’s crazy, crazy, crazy,“ he laughs in his distinctive accent, which is a mixture of Antiguan, where he was born and Walthamstonian-London, where he grew up. “Of course, when I didn’t hear anything from Cargill all those years ago I thought everything had fallen through.
“I was facing eviction, I was unemployed and had bailiffs on my case as I was struggling to pay my bills.
“I thought that it was the end of the road for me, so I was shocked when I received a letter from Cargill’s new record company, asking me to call and discuss working with them.
“To say it was good timing would be an understatement, I thought that was the end of the road for me, I never imagined things would turn out the way they have, it’s amazing.“
Kenni’s interest in music began in church with his mother who was a talented church organist and choir singer. And he cites Bob Marley, James Brown, Fela Kuti, Lonnie Johnson, Curtis May, Ray Davis, U2 and Bob Dylan among his influences.
“I’m too old for all of this really,“ he chuckles heartily. “My kids think it’s great that I’m a popstar, but I don’t know if I should’ve retired by now. As for One Love, I can’t wait. It’s my first festival, so I’m really looking forward to it, to sharing my music with other people.“
l One Love Festival is from August 16 until August 18, Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Upminster, Essex. Details: www.onelovefestival.co.uk