IN giving an overview of PP Arnold’s career it’s almost easier to list names she hasn’t worked with rather than looking at those she has.

From her early days starting out as one of the Ikettes - the backing singers for Ike and Tina Turner - to solo success through the late Sixties and then becoming one of the most in-demand session singers, PP has worked with some of the biggest names around.

For the next few weeks she will be part of the Maximum RnB tour appearing alongside The Manfreds and Zoot Money as it criss-crosses the UK including dates at Preston and Manchester.

“The unexpected has definitely ruled in my life,” she said, “and it’s still ruling I’m pleased to say.

“I’m a very spiritual person and I have never really planned a career. I always say God is my manager, I just open myself to things and faith has brought me through a lot of ups and downs.

“You have to have that when you are an independent artist. If you have a record label and agents and a support system behind you. it’s easy. You just show up and do your thing but when you are doing your own admin and musical directing and performing, you have to keep that faith and be fit and stay strong and stay positive.”

The work ethic is something that is very strong in Ms Arnold. She may have turned 70 this year but has the energy of a woman half her age.

“I like the phrase ‘age is just a number and experience counts’,” she said.

“I’ve been working with vocal coach for about the last five years. When I was younger I never had any training. I grew up singing in church and then went on the road. When you’re young that that keeps you going. But as you get older maintenance is important.”

If you have listened to music from the past 40 years, the chances are you will have heard PP’s vocals.

She backed Peter Gabriel on the hit single Sledgehammer, appeared on KLF’s chart hit What Time is Love and has been on albums by the likes of the Small Faces and Primal Scream.

Clearly she is a lady with a story to tell and she reveals that story will finally be told.

“I’ve been writing a book since 1994,” she said, “but it should finally be out next year. I did almost complete it once but then lost everything I’d written when I tried to move it from my computer on to a dis so I had to start again.

“The aim is to release it with some heritage material I recorded with Barry Gibb in the late Sixties and early Seventies which has never been heard before.”

In addition to that she has also been working on new material with Steve Craddock from Ocean Colour Scene.

“The new songs are really great, I’m very excited about them,” she said.

Maximum RnB with the Manfreds, Zoot Money and PP Arnold, Preston Guild Hall, Thursday, October 27 (01772 804444) and Palace Theatre, Manchester, Thursday, November 24 (0844 871 3019)