Marwenna Diame
"Marwenna Diame writes songs like Picasso paints, words and melody which flow from her pen, as paint and vision flowed from his brush." ~ Steve Buckley, Former Vice President Artists & Repertoire at Motown Records, Former Merchandising at United Artists Records, Former Manager Artists & Repertoire, Marketing Manager, Sales & Merchandising at EMI/Capitol Records
Marwenna Diame, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born Gwen Isabella Laidlaw in December 1960 in Dumbarton, Scotland, to Marion and James Laidlaw. Her father passed away in 2018 and her mother passed away in 2020.
She was named after her two grandmothers. Her maternal grandmother’s name was Marwenna Gwen, so at the age of 21, she changed her name to Marwenna. She recalls that her dad had told her that originally, they were going to name her Marwenna, but decided on the name Gwen at the last minute. She says, just like Saul of Tarsus’ name was changed to Paul once he was converted and became a Christian, she also wanted a new name when she became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Marwenna Diame's Early Life
Music has always been a part of Marwenna’s Life in one form or another. Her father was a musician and played mandolin and skiffle drums. When she was eight years old, he taught her how to play the guitar. Her grandmother was an accomplished violinist and accordion player, and in the 1920s she was part of the first all-female band in Scotland.
Marwenna attended primary school at Aitkenbar Primary School in Dumbarton, Scotland. She attended secondary school at Dumbarton Academy and attended Clydebank College (now West College Scotland).
At the young age of 10, Marwenna performed her first gig, entertaining neighborhood children. At age 15, she bunked school and performed with a few bands. Later she joined the group Carol and the Creations, which was one of the top cabaret bands in Scotland. She sang as a lead singer, a backing vocalist and a session singer for several years with many bands, including Llyod Cole and the Commotions, Fiction Factory, Waterfront, Sugar Sugar, and John Martyn. She says, "I would have been a pop star if my health had not gotten in the way."
Marwenna Diame's Professional Career
She has worked in a music shop, a clothes shop, and a book shop. She was also a waitress, a fingerprint assistant with the Strathclyde police, a wardrobe assistant with the Scottish opera, and a props assistant with the Citizens Theatre. She also had numerous other jobs, including working in a canning factory and as a museum assistant until she discovered she could write songs.
