A FOREVER-young widower from Lutterworth has released his first record at the age of 66.
Rawdon Allen wrote and recorded ’Still 18’ to show the world that life doesn’t stop after retirement – and to tell the inspirational story of how he ‘rebuilt’ his life following the heartbreaking death of his wife seven years ago.
Since then, former sales rep and product manager Rawdon has ventured outside of his comfort zone and found a new lease of life.
He told The Observer: “My song is about how – despite knowing that I’m getting old – I still feel quite young in my mind
“It came about after I found myself saying to people I know of a similar age that I still enjoy the things I did when I was young – and foolishly think I can still do some of those things!
“I’m pretty sure I am not alone in thinking that way, and can imagine that a lot of people will resonate with the sentiment – many have told me so already.”
The song – a jangly guitar pop tune with a singalong chorus drenched in harmonies – is also the story of how he has had to ‘build a new life’ following the death of wife Jane from cancer, and how local communities and interest groups have helped him.
He said: “I had retired early and we had started to enjoy spending more time together and making plans. I have two sons, and at the time one was living in New Zealand – and we were visiting him on a regular basis and planned to do more.
“I have tried to rebuild my life by joining in local groups and pushing myself to do things that are outside of my comfort zone – playing music in public as an example.
“I am also a member of a local u3a group, go to lots of local Open Mic music evenings where I’ve made a lot of new friends of all ages, and I also volunteer at a Lutterworth charity shop.”
Rawdon wrote the song and recorded it in his home studio – ‘aka my living room!’ – singing all the vocals and creating all of the instrumental parts himself digitally and on live instruments.
Having come up with the hook line ‘in my head I’m still 18’, the rest of the lyrics came to him over a period of a few months.
He said: “I’ve had some really nice feedback from people who have heard the song, especially from people of ‘a certain age’, and I think it resonates with them.”
Rawdon says it feels ‘absolutely amazing’ to release his song, saying: “It’s something I never imagined I would do.”
He added: “My only advice to people in a similar position to me is that time is a healer and also that you have to make a real effort to engage with life again. The world doesn’t come knocking on your door.”
Still 18 is available from New Reality Records on all main streaming platforms. Visit www.distrokid.com/hyperfollow/rawdonallen/still-18 for more information.
