Des Tong: Sad Café Then and Now

In this episode of The Liner Notes Club, Phil sits down with Des Tong — bassist, musical director, songwriter, author, and longtime driving force behind Sad Café.Des takes us right back to his earliest musical beginnings in Manchester, from learning double bass as a schoolboy under the influence of his pianist father, to cutting his teeth in soul bands, backing legendary American artists like The Four Tops, Fontella Bass, and The Jacksons, and working across the UK and Europe as a young musical director.He shares the story of how a late-night studio session with Paul Young unexpectedly led to him joining Sad Café during the recording of the Olé album in 1981 — transforming him from a busy session musician into a full-time member of one of Manchester’s most respected bands.We talk about the golden era of club circuits, touring life, the reality of surviving the punk era as highly skilled musicians, and the fiercely loyal Sad Café fanbase that still follows the band today. Des also reflects on carrying the legacy forward after the loss of key members, and why the current lineup is focused not just on celebrating the past, but writing brand new material for the future.Alongside music, Des discusses his unexpected second career as an author, writing his Pete Peterson Tapes series inspired by decades of life on the road, club culture, and the untold stories of Britain’s music scene.A brilliant conversation full of humour, honesty, and real insight into one of Britain’s great working musicians.