Sep222016
Since Twitter lifted its limit on the length of Direct Messages, the idea of succinct 140 character Twitter interviews has kind of gone out the window. Mind you, as far as Shelley Preston’s concerned this is probably for the best – “I’m a bit rubbish at being concise,” she admits. Here’s what she told us about Bucks Fizz and beyond… read more
In our new midweek podcast Tracey Binnie takes us through the ’80s alphabetically, with a little help and/or hindrance from obscure fact maestro Steve. Each edition of Alphabet Street features an hour or so of acts whose names begin with … read more
How will we remember David Bowie? For most, the defining image of Bowie will be one of his many guises in the 1970s: Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, the Thin White Duke. More recent converts may point to his innovative, often … read more
Born 30 July 1958, Bexleyheath, Kent, UK. A precocious talent, Kate Bush signed to EMI at the age of 16, scored a number one hit with Wuthering Heights at 19 and spent many years trying to live up to her … read more
Formed 1981, London, UK: Mike Nolan – vocals; Bobby G (Robert Gubby) – vocals; Cheryl Baker (Rita Crudgington, ex-1978 Eurovision entrants Co-Co) – vocals; Jay Aston – vocals. Put together to perform Making Your Mind Up for the 1981 Song … read more
Born David Jones, 1947, Brixton, London, UK. After a series of unsuccessful releases through the second half of the 1960s and a brief period as a one-hit wonder when Space Oddity reached #5 in the wake of the 1969 moon … read more
Formed 1983, New Jersey, USA: Jon Bon Jovi (John Bongiovi) – vocals; Richie Sambora – guitar; Alec John Such – bass; David Bryan (David Rashbaum) – keyboards; Tico Torres – drums. Bongiovi made his first professional recording in 1980, singing … read more
Formed 1981, UK: Dr Robert (Robert Howard) – vocals; Mick Anker – bass; Angus Hines – drums; Neville Henry – saxophone. Noted for their left wing political stance, the Blow Monkeys railed against Margaret Thatcher in a variety of musical styles, … read more
Formed 1974, New York, USA: Debbie Harry (ex-Wind In The Willows, Stilettos) – vocals; Chris Stein (ex-Stilettos) – guitar; Gary Valentine – bass; Jimmy Destri – keyboards; Clem Burke – drums. After minor success with their eponymous début album, Blondie … read more
Formed 1979, London, UK: Neil Arthur – vocals; Stephen Luscombe – keyboards. The experimental duo released a self financed début EP Irene & Mavis in 1980 but only gained major exposure the following year when they appeared on the seminal … read more
Formed 1981, Dunfermline, UK: Stuart Adamson (ex-Skids) – vocals, guitar; Bruce Watson – guitar; Alan Wishart – bass; Pete Wishart – keyboards; Clive Parker (ex-Athletico Spizz 80) – drums. After being fired as support act to Alice Cooper on his … read more
Formed 1979, London, UK: Sara Dallin – vocals; Siobhan Fahey – vocals; Keren Woodward – vocals. The most charted all-female group in UK chart history originally came together as more of a gang than a band. The girls eschewed the … read more
