At the concert at the Barbican, twenty-two year old Alexia took to the stage for the first time in her life. The two-thousand plus audience gave her a rousing and enthusiastic reception, which she richly deserved.

She had been working as a waitress in a restaurant and regular customers were Laurie Johnson and his family. She did not know who he was, and it was two years before she mentioned that she sang and had made a demo tape. Laurie's wife, Dot, asked for it, Laurie listened to it and within a few weeks she was recording live at CTS Studios with the London Big Band. She was put under contract by Derek Boulton, and had songs written for her by Laurie Johnson and Herbert Kretzmer. She also features on their new venture "The Glory Road" for gospel choir and the London Big Band, sharing the billing with Hollywood's James Coburn.

Benny Green wrote of her first recording performances 'Her vocal qualities are those of an old hand, yet this is her debut. There are intimations of heartbreak in a voice which is rich and tender but capable of great power. In years to come, when she is renowned, she will probably take pleasure in telling how frightened she was on the afternoon of her first recording'.

She has the guidance of her mother, Ethel Coley, who was in the original cast of the musical 'Hair'.