Abi Harding

Infobox musical artist

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Name = Abi Harding
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Abigail Harding
Alias =
Born =
Died =
Origin = Bristol, England
Instrument = Saxophone
Genre = Indie, Alternative rock
Occupation =
Years_active = 2002 - present
Label =
Associated_acts = The Zutons
URL = http://www.thezutons.com/
Notable_instruments = Saxophone

Abigail "Abi" Harding (born 1982 in Bristol) is a saxophonist and backing vocalist with English indie band The Zutons, formed in Liverpool in 2001.

Early life

Harding is one of four daughters of an Evangelical minister from Bristol. She attended school in Wavertree, Liverpool, where she was allegedly bullied due to her non-Scouse accent and swapped playing the flute for the saxophone because others thought the former too "posh" [ [http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=22590&cachedarticleaction=print&sectionband=sectionindexband3&sectioncolour=sectionindex3&sectionborder=sectionindexborder3 The Zutons] , GMTV, 2006-09-21] .

In 1998 Abi, her mother, one of her older sisters Eli and younger sister Lizzie were involved in a serious car accident caused by an elderly Canadian tourist who blacked out at the wheel of his hire car and veered across the road into their oncoming car. The collision left Abi with the most serious injuries, including a broken spine, keeping her in Alder Hey Children's Hospital for an extended period and requiring her to wear a back-brace for some time upon her release.

As well as being a competent saxophonist, Abi has a powerful voice, which she used to her benefit in teenage years to supplement her pocket money by competing in karaoke competitions at local pubs.

The Zutons

The Zutons were originally a four piece band. Harding's boyfriend, Sean Payne, the drummer in the band asked her to join the band on stage to play saxophone at a gig. The rest of the band found that the saxophone complemented the music so well that she became a permanent member.

Harding and Payne are now engaged.

Together with Payne and Russell Pritchard, also of the Zutons, Abi contributed backing vocals to three tracks on the debut album of Sean's sister, Candie Payne, "I Wish I Could Have Loved You More" (2007).

Harding as style icon

Abi has always been a very popular member of the band amongst fans of the Zutons, due to her looks and regular appearances in interviews. Abi often wears short dresses or mini-skirts and is always an avid barefooter. This is her personal popular trademark for stage performances and public appearances. She has also aroused interest in the British "quality" press, revealing, among other things, that she enjoys cycling first thing in the morning, has a weak spot for chocolate and favours La Perla lingerie ["Daily Telegraph", June 19, 2006] .

Abi was 95th in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2007.

In November 2007 the "Times Magazine" looked ahead to Liverpool's year as the European City of Culture in 2008 by featuring Abi on its cover alongside Candie Payne and Liverpuddlian singer Cilla Black - "How Liverpoool got its mojo back". The "Times" noted that, during a photo-shoot that involved a number of other musicians, Cilla Black reflected nostalgically on the 1960s, while Abi and Candi Payne enthused about the variety of contemporary venues in the city ["Times Magazine", 10 November 2007] . In June 2008 the Zutons performed at a concert at Anfield football ground as part of the City of Culture programme with, among others, Paul McCartney and the Kaiser Chiefs.

Some fashion writers reflected on Abi's influence, and that of Candi Payne, on Liverpool's "underground band scene", drawing a contrast with the "brassier" style of local WAGs such as Alex Curran and Coleen McLoughlin (partners of footballers Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney). "Sunday Times Style" remarked early in 2008 that the fashionable Korova bar in the city's Fleet Street "is so cool, you can sense Liverpool evolving from a city full of in-your-face show-offs into something far more knowing":

The girls here are different from their brassier neighbours. Yet, if they're indie, they're still a glossy version. Peroxide bobs, red lipstick, polka-dot shirts, good heels ... They are inspired by local success stories such as Abby " [sic] " from the Zutons and Candie Payne - and united in their dislike of Curran and co ... "Lots of girls think she [Curran] is it, but it's a pretty sad life to be 25 and only go shopping" [Jessica Brinton in "Sunday Times Style", 30 March 2008] .

References