80's Classical

Prior to the earliest incarnation of Bananarama, Bristol-natives Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin had been friends since the age of four. Dallin subsequently studied fashion journalism in London, which is where she met fellow-student Siobhan Fahey, whom shared her interest in punk-rock. The three soon became a formula for success with the trio performing early impromptu sets at gigs for the likes of The Monochrome Set, Iggy Pop, and The Jam in the late 1970s. By 1981 Bananarama’s members were housed above a rehearsal room used by then-Sex Pistol members Steve Jones and Paul Cook, who helped the group record and release their debut cover single “Aie a Mwana” in 1981.

The single found its way to the to a number of label executives, however Bananarama ultimately signed with Decca Records, whom they remained with until 1993. After hearing their debut single “Aie a Mwana”, Fun Boy Three member Terry Hall invited the trio to contribute vocals to their single “T’ain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It)”. The single rose to the Top 5 on the UK Singles Chart, and propelled the group to mainstream recognition. The group’s debut full-length album “Deep Sea Skiving” appeared in 1983 and peaked at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart, led by the Top 5 hit singles “Really Saying Something”, “Shy Boy”, and “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”. The album also peaked at No. 63 on the U.S. chart, however Bananarama were considered more of a cult band in the States.

The band’s self-titled sophomore album charted at No. 16 on the UK Albums Chart in 1984, however is notably marked by social commentary on drug culture and social apathy among other topics. Spawning the singles “Hotline to Heaven”, “Rough Justice”, “Robert De Niro’s Waiting”, and their U.S. breakthrough single “Cruel Summer”, the record was received favourably by critics. After appearing on the Band Aid single “Do They Know Its Christmas?” in 1984, the group released the single “Do Not Disturb” in 1985 raising the anticipation for their subsequent release.

1986’s “True Confessions”, spawned Bananarama’s international breakthrough single “Venus”, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 upon release. Also finding the top spot in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, and Italy, the record earned the band an unprecedented level of exposure. The full-length “Wow!” followed in 1987, which found notable success in Australia for its Europop sound, following which, due to tensions in the group Fahey left after its release. Fahey went on to become one half of the duo Shakespeare’s Sister, and Bananarama subsequently invited Jacquie O’Sullivan to fill the spot. In 1991 the group released the studio album “Pop Life”, followed by “Please Yourself” in 1993, and “Ultra Violet” in 1995. In 1998 Fahey returned for a special one-off reunion for the cover of the ABBA track “Waterloo”, before Dallin and Woodward released Bananarama’s eighth studio album “Exotica” in 2001.

Hailed as “the best songwriter of a generation” by none other than Elton John himself, Nik Kershaw is quite possibly the first great example of a teen idol becoming a respected artist in his own right, leading the way for others from Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio to Justin Timberlake. Born to a musical family where his mother was a singer and his father a flautist, he spent his early childhood teaching himself to play the guitar before forming a number of bands around Ispwich, where he spent his teenage years. After finding no success with bands, he went solo in 1982, and in 1983 he placed an advert in Melody Maker magazine for a manager which was answered by a man named Micky Modern, who secured the young Kershaw a record deal with MCA shortly after they met.

His first single “I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me” was a major hit in Scandinavia, Sweden and The Netherlands, but it wasn't until January 1984 that he released his breakthrough hit in the UK “Wouldn't It Be Good”. The song was a top five hit in the UK and also charted strongly all over the rest of Europe, his debut album “Human Racing” was a huge hit as well, providing Kershaw with three more Top 20 hits including, as if to make up for earlier, a hugely succesful re-release of “I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me”, which reached number two in the UK charts. His second album, November 1984's “The Riddle” was a similar success that secured Kershaw a slot at 1985's Live Aid festival at Wembley Stadium.

Kershaw's commercial clout waned towards the end of the 1980's, but since he was such an experienced songwriter, the 90's proved to be very kind to Kershaw all the same. He got off to a pretty cracking start by writing the only number one single of his career, Chesney Hawkes' “The One And Only”, and would continue in the vein for most of the decade. He didn't release an album of his own material until 1999's self-deprecatingly titled “15 Minutes”, which completely shed his teeny bopper image and let the world see him as an accomplished songwriter in his own right. Ever since then, he's remained one of the most respected artists of the 1980's, continuing to release some of the best material of his career and perform live shows that reflect his nearly 40 years worth of performing experience. For that, Nik Kershaw comes highly recommended.