Join Paul Carrack, ex-lead singer of Squeeze, Ace and Mike & The Mechanics, as he celebrates his latest album with the Rain and Shine tour, writes Danielle Lowe.

After being in the music industry for nearly half a century Carrack has a wealth of experience singing songs including How Long, Tempted and the Living Years.

Never expecting to make a career out of his music, Carrack, 63, says: “I just wanted to be in a band. I had no qualifications on leaving school. I never for a minute thought it was going to pan out like this, that I’d be in my 60s with support from a fan base.”

With 100s of songs in his catalogue Carrack, and his backing band he has worked with for nearly 15 years, will select a handful of old and new songs for the Croydon show.

He says: “We improvise it all the time and to keep our own interest.”

The Sheffield native now has his own record label and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Suggesting that after performing at the London Palladium, in November, with Nick Lowe there might be something in the pipeline for the new year, he says: “I have some ideas for new songs and I am refurbishing my home studio as we speak.”

Despite Carrack’s suggestion “people don’t buy CDs like they used to” he is proud his album, Rain and Shine, has reached supermarket shelves for the first time after multiple tracks hit the singles chart.

He acknowledges the music industry is changing, but he doesn’t worry it is going to affect him.

He says: “It is changing drastically. People still have an appetite to see live music. I have always enjoyed playing live.”

Paul Carrack; Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon; January 28, 7.30pm; £31.75-£41.75;  www.fairfield.co.uk, call 020 8688 9291.