Sanremo International - Exclusive interview between past and present with Leee John of Imagination by our correspondent and presenter Valentina Romeo

We had the pleasure of interviewing the legendary Leee John of Imagination
to talk about the immortal music of the '80s and also to discuss his future projects including in Italy. The interview was conducted by our talented correspondent Valentina Romeo.

Good morning Leee and thank you so much for your time. We’re happy to have you here as a guest of our special ‘’Sanremo International’’. 
Starting from the beginning you are an icon of the 80’s all over the world, your music  seems immortal and continues to enjoying great success. Living and make music in those years, how was it?

It was a very amazing time yes, music was changing, computers and sequences became part of the system . People started sampling but when we first started we were using analog, the tapes and cassettes, later CD’s and video just become the thing. When we first did the first record ‘’Body Talk’’ was like WOW, an explosion. 
It was a wonderful time. It was a time of post punk, new wave so everybody was experimenting, everybody was creating, there was a lot of fashion ideas. People with their hair and the shoulder pads, it was a wonderful time.
We managed in Italy I remember with Giorgio Correggiari it was wonderful. I’ve always enjoyed coming to Italy, I have such a great fans out there I love them it’s great.

Our follower, how you said before, remember timeless song like ‘’Just an Illusion’’, ‘’Music and lights’’ and my mom also suggest ‘’Body Talk’’. Coming to the present we would like to talk about your last work, ‘’Sexy City Lights’’ in collaboration with DDG Project. Would you like to tell us about this?

This is a wonderful project, David who is the producer and artist of this track is a very big talent, grande, he’s very very good and has a great insight to creativity.
Sexy City is a part of a trilogy, there’s five videos story of one man and his mental stress, his relationships with his woman, him being in the thing to be a boxer in the early 50s of his life and then I’m like the devil’s advocate. Basically I filmed and directed my scenes in London and he directed his in Italy and we put them together but it was interesting. I had no idea exactly what they were going to film but I had just the feeling of the song so it fits so well. What I filmed, that darkness, it was very cinematic. It’s a complete project, he done some fantastic mixes, there’s a really cool slow mix. He’s just part of a lot of different creative projects that I’m doing right now. This month in next week I have a jazz EP coming out and it’s got five tracks. I have a duet with a very famous singer in London and we have another song that we call ‘’Blue Skies’’. Another single ‘’All in your eyes’’ right now is getting a lot of play over here on the stations very in the kind of ‘’body talk’’ sort of feel.

This video also won the best hip hop Music Video at Hollywood!  

That’s correct.

This experience how was it?
Was great, it’s a very artistic piece of work and brings us into the 20th century. 
Behind me, as you can see, there’s some of my awards and this will be another one which we can add to the wall.

What are your plans for this 2026? We saw you recently perform at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho and in October you will present ‘’peace love & light tour’’
Correct! I think right now in the world we need more positivity more upliftment so with the music of imagination of Leee John we want to go out there and let everybody have a really good time and keep smiling keep enjoying.
I’m doing some shows throughout the summer. I should be in Sicily in July.
A very special film is coming out in France in April, is a comedy and it’s called Just an Illusion ahahah

You tell us before you come in Sicily!
I will let you know, I’m hoping to come to Rome to Milan, to bring my band.
I’ve done a duet with another artist he’s an opera singer so we’ve got that.
Also this year I have another track with Mario Biondi, it’s called ‘’believe’’, it’s a very very special song and he’s a wonderful artist! Hopefully I’ll be able to come to Italy and perform that too.

We saw you with Carlo Conti at the TV Show ‘’I migliori anni’’, a couple of years ago at Sanremo, you’re always very popular here in Italy and we can’t wait to see you soon.
Thank you so much, I love the Italian food I love Italian people. I remember last year with friends we went to a restaurant we take Barolo, oh my goodness it was wonderful ahaha. I love the spirit of the Italians because they love melody, they like to dance they want to cry when they hear a sad song they want to feel sexy when the song is sexy so love that.

Thank you so much Leee! Can’t wait to see you soon.

Follow Leee John on his website: www.leeejohn.com

LEEE JOHN - NEW JAZZZ EP - out March 2026
The new LEEE JOHN JAZZZ EP will be available to purchase on all major platforms! Experience a stunning blend of silky-smooth acoustic jazz — musicality at its finest.
Listen: https://www.promote-it.cc/leee-john-jazzz
Download: https://save-it.cc/leeejohn/all-in-your-eyes

Following the success of his critically acclaimed 2005 debut jazz studio album “FEEL MY SOUL,” https://www.feelmysoul.co.uk/index.html the inimitable Leee John makes a warmly welcomed return to music with the forthcoming release of the LEEE JOHN JAZZZ EP, release date Friday 13 March 2026. This silky-smooth acoustic jazz collection, rich in warmth and intimacy, was recorded as a complete live session with musicians at the acclaimed Crypt Studio in London, presenting a natural, organic blend of musicality at its finest.

Featuring five stunning new tracks from the new EP, brought to life by an exceptional line-up of musicians, including the legendary Elaine Delmar on vocals, Mel Gaynor /drums, Dr. John Watson /keyboards, Neville Malcolm /bass, Dave Mansell/ flute, Yves Erson /guitar, and Shumya on strings. 

Pre-save order here: https://save-it.cc/leeejohn/leee-john-jazzz
EP TRACK LISTING

1. All in Your Eyes (new single)
2. Wild Is the Wind
3. Always Known I’ve Loved You
4. Blue Skies (featuring Elaine Delmar)
5. Your Heart, My Life 

Ahead of the upcoming release, we’re excited to announce an exclusive video preview for the new single “All In Your Eyes” taken from the LEEE JOHN JAZZZ EP.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/c/LeeeJohnOfficial

Get ready to dive into the soulful, jazz-filled world of the phenomenal iconic voice of LEEE JOHN

The interview was conducted by Valentina Romeo of the Eventi Magazine editorial staff. Valentina is passionate about music and travel, but she's also widely recognized as an excellent singer. She's decided to pursue her passion both as a TV host and with a new recording project launching soon. Valentina is also part of the Salotto degli Artisti TV crew, and we'll soon see her hosting her own show.