|
Quando Quango
Quando Quango were a British electronic music group, formed by The Haçienda DJ and Factory Records A&R man Mike Pickering, Hillegonda Rietveld and Reinier Rietveld. Their unique sound influenced the underground dance music scenes in New York and Chicago in the 1980s. Their first release was the "Go Exciting" twelve-inch single on Factory Records in 1982, and their last release of new music was the 1985 full-length album '' Pigs + Battleships'' (reissued on CD by LTM Recordings in 2003 and 2013). Music Quando Quango remain best known for the dance singles "Love Tempo," which reached number four on the US ''Billboard'' Dance Chart, and "Atom Rock." Their sound was the result of an eclectic mix of Latin, jazz, reggae and disco, all in a pioneering new wave context. Hillegonda Rietveld said, describing the group's music, "...Fela Kuti meets Kraftwerk somewhere between Manchester and Rotterdam, part of a new wave of post-punk electronica, with a whole lot of Mike Pickering's admir ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Manchester
Manchester () is a city and the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It had an estimated population of in . Greater Manchester is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.92 million, and the largest in Northern England. It borders the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The city borders the boroughs of Trafford, Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, Stockport, Tameside, Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Oldham, Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, Rochdale, Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Bury and City of Salford, Salford. The history of Manchester began with the civilian settlement associated with the Roman fort (''castra'') of Mamucium, ''Mamucium'' or ''Mancunium'', established on a sandstone bluff near the confluence of the rivers River Medlock, Medlock and River Irwell, Irwell. Throughout the Middle Ages, Manchester remained a ma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
New Order (band)
New Order are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Salford in 1980 by vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook, and drummer Stephen Morris (musician), Stephen Morris. Their fusion of post-punk and electronic dance music made them one of the most acclaimed and influential bands of the 1980s.Ankeny, Jason. [ "New Order > Biography"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 16 March 2025. The band was formed after the disbandment of their previous band, Joy Division, following the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis. Later that year, keyboardist Gillian Gilbert joined the band. They became the flagship band for the Manchester-based independent record label Factory Records, and its nightclub, The Haçienda. They worked in a long-term collaboration with graphic designer Peter Saville (graphic designer), Peter Saville who worked on their album covers. While the band's early years were initially overshadowed by Joy Division's post-punk legacy, their experience in the early 1980s New ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
M People
M People (stylised as ''M''People) are an English dance music band that formed in 1990 and achieved success throughout most of the 1990s. The name M People is derived from the first letter of the first name of band member Mike Pickering, who formed the group. In December 2016, '' Billboard'' magazine ranked them as the 83rd most successful dance act of all time. As of 2021, M People have sold over 11 million records worldwide. Career Formation Pickering had been a member of Factory Records dance act Quando Quango, but became better known as one of the original DJs at The Haçienda. Paul Heard was a member of acid jazz band Ace of Clubs, and Shovell had previously been in the collective Natural Life. The original plan had been to have a roster of different singers for different songs, but having been spotted by Pickering and Heard, Heather Small became the distinctive vocalist of the group. She had been in the English soul band Hot House, which had released a number of crit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stephen Paul David Morris
Stephen Paul David Morris (born 28 October 1957) is an English drummer who has worked with the rock band New Order (band), New Order and, previously, Joy Division. He also wrote and performed in The Other Two (duo), The Other Two, a band consisting of Morris and his girlfriend and later wife, Gillian Gilbert. Morris also participated in the New Order spin-off band Bad Lieutenant (band), Bad Lieutenant. He and frontman Bernard Sumner are the only two continuous members of New Order, and appeared on every one of the band’s albums. Career Stephen Paul David Morris was born on 28 October 1957, in Macclesfield, Cheshire. His father was a door-to-door, travelling salesman who also put on dances. His uncle was a musician. When Morris told his father he wanted to be a drummer, he replied: "Drummers, Stephen. I’ve never met a sane one yet... They all end up taking morphine and drinking absinthe, rotting their brains. You don’t want to end up like that, do you?" He attended the King ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lisa Stansfield
Lisa Jane Stansfield (born 11 April 1966) is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. Her career began in 1980 when she won the singing competition ''Search for a Star''. After appearances in various television shows and releasing her first singles, Stansfield, along with Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, formed Blue Zone (band), Blue Zone in 1983. The band released several singles and one album, but after the success of Coldcut's "People Hold On" in 1989, on which Stansfield was featured, the focus was placed on her solo career. Stansfield's first solo album ''Affection (Lisa Stansfield album), Affection'' (1989) and its worldwide chart-topping lead single "All Around the World (Lisa Stansfield song), All Around the World" were major breakthroughs in her career. She was nominated for two Grammy Awards, and ''Affection'' is her best-selling album to date. In the following years, Stansfield released ''Real Love (Lisa Stansfield album), Real Love'' (1991), ''So Natural (Lisa Stansfi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Andy Connell
Andrew John Connell (born 26 July 1961) is an English keyboardist and composer. Along with Corinne Drewery, he is part of the duo that makes up Swing Out Sister. Biography Born in Manchester, Connell played in the Manchester post-punk band The Immediates, before joining new wave funk pioneers, A Certain Ratio. He was also a member of the Manchester-based jazz/pop band Kalima who were signed to Factory Records, whilst he was also a member of A Certain Ratio. A few years later he teamed up with former Magazine drummer Martin Jackson and Greg Wilson, and they released an inventive electronic album called ''UK Electro'' in 1984. Swing Out Sister began in earnest in 1985, when Connell and Jackson teamed up with Corinne Drewery. Since the band's establishment, he has been the main composer and arranger for Swing Out Sister's music, including the UK and US top ten hit, " Breakout". Apart from his work with Swing Out Sister, Connell has produced and arranged music for other artis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vini Reilly
Vincent Gerard "Vini" Reilly (born 4 August 1953) is an English musician and leader of the post-punk group the Durutti Column. He was known for his distinctively clean, fluid guitar style, which stood out from his punk-era contemporaries in its incorporation of jazz, folk, and classical elements. In addition to his work under that group, Reilly also collaborated with artists such as Morrissey, John Cooper Clarke, Pauline Murray, Anne Clark, and others. Biography Reilly was born on 4 August 1953 in Higher Blackley, Manchester, and raised in Withington, Wythenshawe and Didsbury, Manchester. His father was an engineer who did not allow his five children to watch television. At age 16, Reilly's father died. He later lamented that he did not admire or know him enough. As a youngster, Reilly was a talented footballer. He was offered a trial for Manchester City F.C., but he declined, opting to concentrate on music. His first recorded work was Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds' "Ain't Bin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Johnny Marr
John Martin Marr (Birth name#Maiden and married names, né Maher; born 31 October 1963) is a musician, songwriter and singer. He first achieved fame as the guitarist and co-songwriter of the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 1987. He has since performed with numerous other bands and embarked on a solo career. Born and raised in Manchester, England, Marr formed his first band at the age of 13. He was part of several bands with Andy Rourke before forming the Smiths with Morrissey in 1982. The Smiths attained commercial success and were critically acclaimed, with Marr's jangle pop guitar style becoming a distinctive part of the band's sound, but separated in 1987 due to personal differences between Marr and Morrissey. Since then, Marr has been a member of the Pretenders, the The, Electronic (band), Electronic, Modest Mouse, and the Cribs, and he has become a prolific session musician, working with names such as Kirsty MacColl, Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, Bryan Ferry and Hans Zi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aswad (band)
Aswad are a British reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B and soul influences to the reggae sound. They have been performing since the mid-1970s, having released a total of 21 albums. Their UK hit singles include the number one "Don't Turn Around" (1988) and " Shine" (1994). "Aswad" is Arabic for "black". They are three-time Grammy Award nominees. History The members of Aswad are UK descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean. They attended John Kelly/ Holland Park School. Aswad was formed in 1975 in Ladbroke Grove area of West London. The original members of Aswad were guitarist/vocalist Brinsley "Chaka B" Forde, drummer/vocalist Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye, lead guitarist/vocalist Donald "Dee" Griffiths, bassist George "Ras" Oban, and keyboardist Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings. Aswad were the backing band of Burning Spear's 1977 '' Live'' album, recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London. Other contributors included Vin Gordon, and Karl Pitterson. Initially, the band ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sweet Sensation (band)
Sweet Sensation was an eight piece British soul group who had some success in the mid-1970s. They are best known for their 1974 No. 1 UK hit, "Sad Sweet Dreamer". Career Formed in Manchester in 1971, the band came to prominence after appearing on the ITV Network, ITV talent show ''New Faces''. Under the guidance of panellist Tony Hatch, the band signed to Pye Records. The debut single "Snowfire" failed to reach the charts, but the follow-up "Sad Sweet Dreamer" was a UK number one single in October 1974 that also reached No. 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' Hot 100 the following spring. The follow-up "Purely by Coincidence" reached No. 11 in the UK in January 1975. Both songs were written by David Parton. Follow-up singles "Hide Away from the Sun", "Mr Cool", "Sweet Regrets" and "Mail Train" all failed to make the charts over the next couple of years. In 1977, the band participated in Eurovision: Your Decision, ''A Song for Europe'' in an attempt to represent th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
52nd Street (band)
52nd Street was a British jazz-funk and R&B band formed in Manchester in late 1980. Throughout the 1980s the group enjoyed success not only in the UK but also on the ''Billboard'' chart in the United States. Their biggest and best-known hit single was "Tell Me (How It Feels)", released in 1985 by the 10 Records subsidiary of Virgin Records in the UK, and then months later on in 1986 on MCA Records in the US. Overview The original line-up consisted of Tony Henry (guitar), Derrick Johnson (bass), Desmond Isaacs (keyboards), drummer Tony Thompson (drums) (not to be confused with the Chic drummer of the same name), Jennifer McCloud (vocals). Vocalist Rose Williams and saxophonist Eric Godden both came and departed before John Dennison replaced Desmond Isaacs and Beverley McDonald replaced Jennifer McCloud, at which point the lineup stabili /sd. The band played gigs around the Manchester scene, whilst at the same time recording demo tapes in local studios. Local funk DJ Mike Sh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spasmodique
Spasmodique was an underground rock band from Rotterdam, The Netherlands from 1981 to 2005. Sound Spasmodique formed at the height of new wave's popularity and existed somewhere near that genre's post-punk fringes. They sang almost exclusively in English. Early demos reveal a sound not dissimilar to Joy Division, including prominent basslines, baritone vocals, dark lyrical themes and minimalist guitar. Later in their career, their music was sometimes described as goth. Their last album was more musically complex and had a hard rock edge, similar to the work of Billy Duffy. Their musical influences also included The Swans and The Sound. History 1980s Spasmodique was formed in 1982 by singer/guitarist Mark Ritsema, guitarist Arjo Hijmans, bassist Martin Doctors van Leeuwen and drummer Reinier Rietveld (formerly of Quando Quango). They released a self-titled five-song ep in 1986. The same year, they recorded songs for an opera that were later released on their album ''North''. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
