Jay Aston
Encyclopedia
Jay Hilda Aston is a singer, dancer, and occasional songwriter who was formerly with the British
pop group, Bucks Fizz
. She was the youngest member of the group's original line-up, being just 19 at the Eurovision Song Contest.
. They also performed as acrobats
. Her brother, Lance, had performed at the Eurovision Song Contest
in 1980
with the band Prima Donna
.
Aston herself trained as a dancer, singer and actress at the Italia Conti School of Speech and Drama
and performed on stage many times in her teens mainly as a dancer.
that year
. They won with Making Your Mind Up
and the song went to Number 1 in many countries, including the United Kingdom.
The group went on to become one of the top selling groups of the 1980s and scored many hit single and albums over the next few years, including two more British Number 1s: The Land Of Make Believe and My Camera Never Lies
. Aston's interest in fashion and design came into good use while with the group as she designed many of the group's stage outfits and created many memorable images. In 1983 she performed the lead vocal to the song When We Were Young, which went on to become one of the group's biggest hits.
Aston became known for her love of physical exercise and released a keep-fit album in early 1984 called Shape Up and Dance
. This activity however also led to her becoming the victim of an attack while out jogging. She fought off the attacker and recovered well from the incident, which became the subject of newspaper coverage.
In December 1984, while on tour, Bucks Fizz were involved in a road accident in which Aston, along with the other members of the group were injured. By this time, tensions within the group had risen to the point that Aston was eager to leave, but was still under contract. However, the following year, she left the group in acrimonious circumstances. Aston became the subject of many newspaper headlines on her sudden departure where it emerged that she had a" one night stand" with the group's producer, Andy Hill
, who was also the husband of Bucks Fizz creator, Nichola Martin. The group's management company took Aston to court but were unsuccessful in sueing her under the terms of her contract. The case took three years to settle and although she lost none of here actions Aston was left on the brink of financial ruin.
and signed a new publishing deal with Chrysalis and Sony for her solo songs. Her brother had married Shakespear's Sister star Marcella Detroit
who encouraged her to begin a solo career. In 1993 Aston released a single Naked Phoenix and recorded an album of songs. Not long after this, she met and began dating guitarist Dave Colquhoun, whom she married in 1999 in Greenwich
, London. They have a daughter, Josie Alexandra (born 2003, Bromley
, Kent
). In 2001 she set up a performing arts school in her name, The Jay Aston Theatre Arts School, teaching children aged 2–17. The school still runs today.
During the latter part of the 1990s and early 2000s, Aston toured with her band Aston, performing rock and pop tracks, many of which she wrote herself.in 1992 she was signed to Mellowman.
In 2002, she was fronting Zenshoppers and released a solo singles called Sorrows Wedding, And a dance track called Everlasting Love and Serial Killer.
and she also appeared in an episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks
In 2003 Aston released an album, Alive And Well with 13 tracks all of which she co-wrote with her husband.
and Citizen Smith
. In 2008, Aston was cast as Claudia Brite in the film
The Last Days of Edgar Harding which was shot in August 2008 and screened in 2010.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
pop group, Bucks Fizz
Bucks Fizz (band)
Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and...
. She was the youngest member of the group's original line-up, being just 19 at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Background
Aston came from a theatrical family. Her father was a comedian, her mother a former dancer before she became her husband's straight manDouble act
A double act, also known as a comedy duo, is a comic pairing in which humor is derived from the uneven relationship between two partners, usually of the same gender, age, ethnic origin and profession, but drastically different personalities or behavior...
. They also performed as acrobats
Acrobatics
Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...
. Her brother, Lance, had performed at the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
in 1980
Eurovision Song Contest 1980
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the 25th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 19 April 1980 in The Hague. The presenter was Marlous Fluitsma, although each song was introduced by a presenter from the nation represented...
with the band Prima Donna
Prima Donna (band)
Prima Donna were the United Kingdom representatives in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980. The group comprised sisters Kate Robbins and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn, Alan Coates and Lance Aston...
.
Aston herself trained as a dancer, singer and actress at the Italia Conti School of Speech and Drama
Italia Conti Academy
The Italia Conti Academy is a theatre arts training school based in London. It was founded in 1911 by actress Italia Conti...
and performed on stage many times in her teens mainly as a dancer.
Bucks Fizz
Aston was one of the four original members of Bucks Fizz when they were formed in 1981 to compete in the Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
that year
Eurovision Song Contest 1981
The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 4 April 1981 at the Simmonscourt Pavilion of the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin. The presenter was Doireann Ní Bhriain...
. They won with Making Your Mind Up
Making Your Mind Up
"Making Your Mind Up" is a song by British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was the winner of the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest and a UK Number-one single...
and the song went to Number 1 in many countries, including the United Kingdom.
The group went on to become one of the top selling groups of the 1980s and scored many hit single and albums over the next few years, including two more British Number 1s: The Land Of Make Believe and My Camera Never Lies
My Camera Never Lies
"My Camera Never Lies" is a 1982 single by pop group, Bucks Fizz. It became a UK number-one hit single in April 1982 and was featured on their album Are You Ready.- Background :...
. Aston's interest in fashion and design came into good use while with the group as she designed many of the group's stage outfits and created many memorable images. In 1983 she performed the lead vocal to the song When We Were Young, which went on to become one of the group's biggest hits.
Aston became known for her love of physical exercise and released a keep-fit album in early 1984 called Shape Up and Dance
Shape Up and Dance
Shape Up and Dance was the umbrella name for a popular series of exercise instruction albums released in the United Kingdom between 1982 and 1984, during the 1980s aerobics craze. The albums were choreographed by Christina Brooke and each one was presented by a different well known personality from...
. This activity however also led to her becoming the victim of an attack while out jogging. She fought off the attacker and recovered well from the incident, which became the subject of newspaper coverage.
In December 1984, while on tour, Bucks Fizz were involved in a road accident in which Aston, along with the other members of the group were injured. By this time, tensions within the group had risen to the point that Aston was eager to leave, but was still under contract. However, the following year, she left the group in acrimonious circumstances. Aston became the subject of many newspaper headlines on her sudden departure where it emerged that she had a" one night stand" with the group's producer, Andy Hill
Andy Hill (composer)
Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
, who was also the husband of Bucks Fizz creator, Nichola Martin. The group's management company took Aston to court but were unsuccessful in sueing her under the terms of her contract. The case took three years to settle and although she lost none of here actions Aston was left on the brink of financial ruin.
After Bucks Fizz
Close to bankruptcy, Aston rebuilt her life living in a small bedsit in StreathamStreatham
Streatham is a district in Surrey, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
and signed a new publishing deal with Chrysalis and Sony for her solo songs. Her brother had married Shakespear's Sister star Marcella Detroit
Marcella Detroit
Marcella Detroit is a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. She was a member of the band Shakespears Sister, along with Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama. Detroit's soprano voice provided lead vocals on their biggest hit, "Stay," which was No...
who encouraged her to begin a solo career. In 1993 Aston released a single Naked Phoenix and recorded an album of songs. Not long after this, she met and began dating guitarist Dave Colquhoun, whom she married in 1999 in Greenwich
London Borough of Greenwich
The London Borough of Greenwich is an Inner London borough in south-east London, England. Taking its name from the historic town of Greenwich, the present borough was formed in 1965 by the amalgamation of the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich with part of the Metropolitan...
, London. They have a daughter, Josie Alexandra (born 2003, Bromley
London Borough of Bromley
The London Borough of Bromley is a London borough of south east London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in the borough is Bromley.-Geography:...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
). In 2001 she set up a performing arts school in her name, The Jay Aston Theatre Arts School, teaching children aged 2–17. The school still runs today.
During the latter part of the 1990s and early 2000s, Aston toured with her band Aston, performing rock and pop tracks, many of which she wrote herself.in 1992 she was signed to Mellowman.
In 2002, she was fronting Zenshoppers and released a solo singles called Sorrows Wedding, And a dance track called Everlasting Love and Serial Killer.
and she also appeared in an episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game television show with a pop music theme, currently without a permanent presenter. It stars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding as team captains. The show is produced by Talkback Thames for the BBC, and is usually aired on BBC Two...
In 2003 Aston released an album, Alive And Well with 13 tracks all of which she co-wrote with her husband.
Acting
Before Bucks Fizz, Aston had ambitions to become an actress, but her career in this field encompassed only minor roles in To the Manor BornTo the Manor Born
To the Manor Born is a British sitcom that first aired on BBC1 from 1979 to 1981. A special edition appeared in 2007. Starring Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles, the first 20 episodes and the 2007 special were written by Peter Spence, the creator, while the 1981 finale was written by Christopher...
and Citizen Smith
Citizen Smith
Citizen Smith is a British television sitcom. The show was written by John Sullivan, who later wrote Only Fools and Horses. The pilot was transmitted on 12 April 1977 in the Comedy Special series of one-off plays, and the series proper ran from 3 November 1977 to 31 December 1980.Citizen Smith...
. In 2008, Aston was cast as Claudia Brite in the film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
The Last Days of Edgar Harding which was shot in August 2008 and screened in 2010.