Richie's got a Heavenly double life

BUSINESS manager Richie Wicks always dresses smartly for his job in the storage industry in Edenbridge.

By day he is suited and booted, but by night he takes on a different persona.

For Richie becomes the lead singer of a tribute act to legendary rock group Black Sabbath, of whom Ozzy Osbourne was an original member.

He has performed in venues throughout Europe, but tonight he, along with tribute band Heavenly Hell, is kicking off this weekend's anniversary event at the Stag, Sevenoaks, as part of 24 hours of music and theatre.

Mr Wicks, who works at Easistore Self Storage in Enterprise Way, clowns around on his mobile phone answer service, with his message screamed out in true heavy metal fashion.

The accomplished musician and vocal coach has been in many bands, and is now rehearsing three nights each week with Heavenly Hell.

Mr Wicks, 42, of Dormansland, sings some Ozzy tracks, but his biggest inspiration is American heavy metal hero Ronnie James Dio.

He said: "We are not trying to be them, but we are trying to sound like them. We want fans to close their eyes and imagine they are listening to Black Sabbath."

Sevenoaks and District Chamber of Commerce member Mr Wicks, who changes into black leather for his gigs, said his commitment to the musical role with the band amounted to a double life.

His work colleagues knew very little of his role as a semi-professional rock star – until now.

He said: "Some of the people I deal with on a day-to-day basis at work would not believe what I get up to in the evening.

"I can have a typical weekend finishing work on the Friday, go in my car straight up north to Yorkshire (where he used to rehearse with another band, the Tygers of Pan Tang ), chuck a curry down my neck, do 10 hours of rehearsal, go for a beer in the evening and another four hours of rehearsal on Sunday. On Monday I'll be a business manager again. It's brilliant."

Speaking of his forthcoming rock gig at the Stag, where metal fans will be somewhat incongruously seated on plush cushion seats, he said he was looking forward performing in a smaller theatre.

Heavenly Hell – guitarist Paul Gosher, bassist Jim Houghton and drummer Allan Vallance – re-formed last year after splitting seven years ago.

Mr Wicks said he was fortunate his wife Mandie and step-daughters Kirsty and Kaylie were supportive of his talent.

To find out more about the Stag's anniversary line-up see www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk