Life lessons: Paul Woolright

Paul Woolright. Photo / Dean Purcell

I grew up in a Mt Roskill state house during the '50s. I remember being woken up at 5am and the whole street going fishing on the causeway. Don't look for it now, it's the north-western motorway. I'd say the flounder and snapper we caught there fed the entire neighbourhood.

They were really happy days. I've been lucky enough to have plenty more since. Aside from the birth of my first grandchildren, twin girls Amelie and Gabriella, I'd say hearing the first album by my son's band, Svelt, is right up there as well.

People are usually surprised when they hear about what I do. Once they've got over that, there's the "oh, I remember you guys" memories of some gig ages ago where they were at back of the room and they tell me about all this stuff that I've long forgotten.

Ever since Ticket split I have hoped we would play again. It's really fortunate that we are all still around and able to reunite as musicians as well as lifelong mates.

Away from music I work as a traditional sign writer. Oddly the two jobs work well together and have taken me all over the world. Hand-lettering is an unrecognised art form and it pleases me that my mark has been left everywhere from Paris to Beirut and London to Dubai.

If I could enforce one of my beliefs it'd be for people to respect everyone and everything. You only get what you're prepared to give and in general there's too much taking going on.

I would love to sit and have a beer with my old man and talk about how my life has panned out since he died. When I was 13 I was about 8 stone, with skinny legs, big ears and goofy with it. Thank Christ I grew up. I'm heavier, although my legs are somehow skinnier and my ears are bigger. I've changed from goofy to grumpy.

You want some simple advice? Play it straight, keep it simple and enjoy it.

Paul Woolright played with 70s acid rock group Ticket as well as Hello Sailor, the Pink Flamingos, the Legionnaires, Rainbow, Beaver and the Entry.