Disco diva Candi Staton is one of the big names coming to this year's World Party.

The singing legend whose hits include Young Hearts Run Free and You Got The Love is sure to lift the mood at Croydon Summer Festival, whatever the weather.

She tells go! how much she loves performing in the UK.

"I always have a ball when I come to London. I'm so elated when I find out I'm touring to Europe because there are such good people there," says Staton.

"Performing outside is wonderful, as long as the rain holds off! We've been inside all winter, and now it's a time for festivals and getting out enjoying being outside. It's a time to meet and hug and enjoy each others' company."

Staton believes live music is one of the most important things she does as an artist and says festivals like ours help her reach even more fans.

"It's a great way for young people to get into soul music when they've heard about it for so long from their parents. It's different to see something live. One fan came up to me outside my dressing room and said 'I didn't really understand why my parents loved you and your music so much until tonight. Now I see what they mean and I will love soul music for the rest of my life'. The essence of music is in live performance.

"To see the sincerity on artists' faces they realise we're not just trying to sell records, this is us, our souls are crying out into the hearts and souls of other people."

Her career has lasted 40 years and she's well known for disco classics as well as gospel music, but Staton's new album is something different again.

"I've never sung so many slow songs in my life! I've always been a disco diva who loves up tempo songs that make you run to the dance floor. My last two albums have been very different for me, they're slow and laid back. I am pleased with it - I'm the kind of person who loves change and I don't mind changing if I feel like it's working.

"It is good to keep changing - lots of people love ballads and like to sit back and relax and listen to artists without even having to tap their feet. Different strokes for different folks."

Staton has been through her fair share of problems - being a single mother, becoming an alcoholic and living with an abusive husband.

But she says music helped her through her tough times and now she feels better than ever.

"When I was into drinking I was a real heavy drinker. I had so many things on my mind then. I felt such a responsibility as a young woman trying to raise four children by myself. I wasn't even raised completely myself, besides trying to raise four other people. When I sang the blues I could really put myself in it because I lived the blues every day. It was a great therapy, to express myself through music. I was crying inside and I couldn't talk to anyone, and I could say that through music.

"Now, I don't have any real big problems and I'm not wondering how in the world I'm going to make it and who's going to watch the kids when I go away for work. I'm free now and you'll see it on stage. If it was up to me I'd sing everything up tempo and happy, but I owe it to the fans to sing the songs they love."

Staton says this perseverance through difficult times is what gives people long careers in music.

"You know what makes legends? It's longevity - you have to stick to it, you don't quit. You get knocked down, you keep on picking yourself back up and brushing yourself off. If you go with the down times, then eventually the season will change. Michael Jackson knew that and he was performing right up until the very end. I was so sad about him, he was one of my favourite singers. I had met his family a couple of times and I was due to meet Michael for the first time in July this year. But God knew better."

Now, Staton is excited about coming back to the UK and says she feels she belongs in London.

"I feel like London is my home. I should get a house and spend half the year in London and half in the US. I'm in London more often than I'm here anyway!"

www.candi-staton.com