IT is perhaps an indication of the pedigree of 10cc that they can count Queen among the bands who have supported them.

While Queen went on to become one of the biggest bands of all time, 10cc’s influence still resonates now. Graham Gouldman remembers the 1970s UK show that saw Queen support them.

“We had a lot in common with Queen in terms of musical integrity,” the singer says.

But Queen had the edge on us in terms of showmanship and Freddie Mercury had that.

You can’t just pull it off – you either have it or you don’t. I remember they had their own mirror and thinking, ‘why haven’t we got a mirror?’.”

In other interviews, the band comment on how big Queen’s lightshow was in comparison with 10cc’s at that gig. Gouldman says, “We weren’t interested in our appearance at all. I would say to our detriment in some ways.”

That didn’t stop 10cc, who signed and took on their name in 1972, going on to play huge shows such as at Knebworth with the Rolling Stones in 1975. Gouldman, who was 70 in May, says, “That Knebworth show was the last gig we did as the original four-piece. But I hated it. The PA mysteriously went down and we went on late. There was a rumour going around that the Stones had delayed the gig so they could go on at night and have better lights.”

The band, which has interchanged members throughout an on-off career, will let the music do the talking when they celebrate the 40th anniversary of their seminal album Sheet Music in its entirety.

Gouldman says, “It’s quite a big thing for us. To do it is quite refreshing for our audience and good for us.” He says it was a challenge to learn songs from the album that were never played live originally: “It’s much more dynamic and exciting.”

Gouldman leads the current line-up (on bass, guitars and vocals) with Rick Fenn, Paul Burgess, Mick Wilson and Keith Hayman.

He still relishes touring: “I think it’s quite a healthy lifestyle in a way – you have got to keep fit to an extent and you have to be on your game.” Some bands go through phases of not playing their big hits because they’re bored by them. Have 10cc ever tired of playing, say, I’m Not In Love?

“Absolutely not,” Gouldman states, “What an affront that would be to an audience – it would be an insult. You know any audience is expecting to hear that. And every night is different.” A classic example of the trend was Radiohead shunning their hit single Creep for years. Gouldman says, “I don’t like it. Ask Radiohead’s fans – did they like it? It doesn’t make sense. It sounds like an affectation really.”

The co-founder of 10cc has been playing music since he was a teenager. “I have done every aspect of the music business but I come back to the things I love as far as my work is concerned: playing, writing and recording.

I didn’t think about it one way or the other when I was younger. In those days you just did what you did. I can’t do anything else.”

He would not plough on regardless. He says, “If the band wasn’t sounding great I wouldn’t do it. But I would still play in a pub band at the weekends. This is a love that has sustained me since being a teenager and always will.”

The Hawth, Crawley and Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, £34, 7.30pm, Crawley, Monday, October 3, call 01293 553636. Eastbourne, Saturday, October 8, call 01323 412000