Mike Nolan (singer)
Encyclopedia
Mike Nolan is a singer and was one of the four original members of the British
pop
group
, Bucks Fizz
. He was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland
, but raised in the UK, where he still resides.
It was in 1976 that he successfully auditioned for his first serious band. This group went under the name Brooks and were put together by Freya Miller, who went onto manage Shakin' Stevens
. The group were a four-piece boy-band, consisting of Nolan, Ben Ellison (who replaced Ricky Gallahad), John Humphreys and Peter Pereira. They were designed to be a 1970s version of The Monkees
. Originally the group also included Chris Hamill, who went on to become famous as Limahl
. Despite multiple TV appearances, magazine interviews and several singles, the group never had a hit and eventually disbanded three years later. As Nolan later reasoned, the idea of the group was 'dated'.
In 1980, Nolan was contacted by composer/manager Nichola Martin. She had a song entitled "Making Your Mind Up
", which had been composed by her boyfriend, Andy Hill
, and was intending to enter it for the heats to the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest. The demo was recorded by Nolan and Martin and was accepted as one of the finalists. Martin then worked on finding other singers to build a group around him.
, Cheryl Baker
and Jay Aston
became known as Bucks Fizz. In February, they won the 1981 A Song for Europe
with "Making Your Mind Up". Two months later, they won the Eurovision final itself. The group were catapulted to fame overnight and the song made No.1 in several countries, including the UK.
Over the next few years, Bucks Fizz became one of the biggest pop groups in the UK with several hit singles and albums, including two more No.1 hits, "The Land Of Make Believe" and "My Camera Never Lies
". Nolan became known as the male pin-up of the group and attracted many fans through his good looks. He also gained critical acclaim for his lead vocal on the top ten hit "Now Those Days Are Gone
".
While on tour in 1984, Bucks Fizz were involved in a coach crash. All four members were injured, but Nolan was most seriously affected when he fell into a coma and at one point was given the Last Rites
. Nolan was featured on the front page of many of the tabloids over the next few days with headlines declaring him to be "on the brink of death". After three days, he awoke and spent the next six months recuperating before returning to work with the group, although the effects of the crash still affect him today.
Bucks Fizz scored their last hit in 1988 and Nolan continued with the group (now in an altered line-up) until 1995.
singer David Van Day
, with a view to forming a rival version of Bucks Fizz. Nolan agreed and the band began to tour. A year later, they released a single and recorded an album of old Bucks Fizz hits. Former bandmate, G was unhappy with the competition and threatened to sue Van Day, while Bucks Fizz fans were almost universal in their derision of the new recordings. The group continued for a few years until Nolan too became unhappy with the situation and quit in 2001. He also filed a lawsuit against Van Day for unpaid earnings, and although he won the case, he received no payout as Van Day declared himself bankrupt.
In 2004, Nolan along with Baker, G and another later member of Bucks Fizz, Shelley Preston
reformed for a one-off series of shows on the 80s revival Here and Now Tour
. Following this, Nolan was keen to continue and so along with Baker and Preston, they formed a three-piece version of the group, officially called The Original Bucks Fizz. Nolan continues to perform live with the group in occasional shows, although original member Jay Aston has since replaced Preston.
s.
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
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
group
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, 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...
. He was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, but raised in the UK, where he still resides.
Early career
After a series of dead-end jobs, Mike Nolan began performing in the mid-1970s in pubs around London, playing the guitar and singing mostly old Irish ballads. He was also auditioning for a variety of groups as a vocalist.It was in 1976 that he successfully auditioned for his first serious band. This group went under the name Brooks and were put together by Freya Miller, who went onto manage Shakin' Stevens
Shakin' Stevens
Shakin' Stevens, also known as "Shaky" is a platinum selling Welsh rock and roll singer and songwriter who holds the distinction of being the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s . His recording and performing career began in the late 1960s, although it was not until 1980 that he saw...
. The group were a four-piece boy-band, consisting of Nolan, Ben Ellison (who replaced Ricky Gallahad), John Humphreys and Peter Pereira. They were designed to be a 1970s version of The Monkees
The Monkees
The Monkees are an American pop rock group. Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966 by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968, the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork,...
. Originally the group also included Chris Hamill, who went on to become famous as Limahl
Limahl
Christopher Hamill better known by his stage name Limahl is an English pop singer. He rose to fame as the lead singer of the 1980s pop group Kajagoogoo, before embarking on a briefly successful solo career, which reached its peak with the 1984 hit "The NeverEnding Story", taken from the film of...
. Despite multiple TV appearances, magazine interviews and several singles, the group never had a hit and eventually disbanded three years later. As Nolan later reasoned, the idea of the group was 'dated'.
In 1980, Nolan was contacted by composer/manager Nichola Martin. She had a song entitled "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...
", which had been composed by her boyfriend, Andy Hill
Andy Hill (composer)
Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
, and was intending to enter it for the heats to the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest. The demo was recorded by Nolan and Martin and was accepted as one of the finalists. Martin then worked on finding other singers to build a group around him.
Bucks Fizz
Nolan along with singers Bobby GBobby G
Bobby G is a member of pop group Bucks Fizz. He was the only remaining original member in the group...
, Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker is an English television presenter and singer. She is most famous for being a member of 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz, and has performed for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, winning it the second time.-Early career:After leaving school and a series of secretarial jobs, Cheryl...
and Jay Aston
Jay Aston
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....
became known as Bucks Fizz. In February, they won the 1981 A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe may refer to:*A Song for Europe, former name of British pre-selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, now known as Eurovision: Your Country Needs You...
with "Making Your Mind Up". Two months later, they won the Eurovision final itself. The group were catapulted to fame overnight and the song made No.1 in several countries, including the UK.
Over the next few years, Bucks Fizz became one of the biggest pop groups in the UK with several hit singles and albums, including two more No.1 hits, "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 :...
". Nolan became known as the male pin-up of the group and attracted many fans through his good looks. He also gained critical acclaim for his lead vocal on the top ten hit "Now Those Days Are Gone
Now Those Days Are Gone
"Now Those Days Are Gone" is a single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz. It became a UK top ten hit in June 1982 and featured on the group's album Are You Ready.- Background :...
".
While on tour in 1984, Bucks Fizz were involved in a coach crash. All four members were injured, but Nolan was most seriously affected when he fell into a coma and at one point was given the Last Rites
Anointing of the Sick (Catholic Church)
Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of the Catholic Church that is administered to Catholics who because of sickness or old age are in danger of death, even if the danger is not proximate...
. Nolan was featured on the front page of many of the tabloids over the next few days with headlines declaring him to be "on the brink of death". After three days, he awoke and spent the next six months recuperating before returning to work with the group, although the effects of the crash still affect him today.
Bucks Fizz scored their last hit in 1988 and Nolan continued with the group (now in an altered line-up) until 1995.
Later Bucks Fizz
In 1997, Nolan was contacted by former DollarDollar (band)
Dollar are a pop vocal duo from the UK, consisting of David Van Day and Thereza Bazar. The duo were successful in the late 1970s and 1980s.-Career:...
singer David Van Day
David Van Day
David Van Day is an English singer and media personality, formerly a member of the pop duo Dollar. He was also a member of the 1970s vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls , and a latter-day version of Bucks Fizz....
, with a view to forming a rival version of Bucks Fizz. Nolan agreed and the band began to tour. A year later, they released a single and recorded an album of old Bucks Fizz hits. Former bandmate, G was unhappy with the competition and threatened to sue Van Day, while Bucks Fizz fans were almost universal in their derision of the new recordings. The group continued for a few years until Nolan too became unhappy with the situation and quit in 2001. He also filed a lawsuit against Van Day for unpaid earnings, and although he won the case, he received no payout as Van Day declared himself bankrupt.
In 2004, Nolan along with Baker, G and another later member of Bucks Fizz, Shelley Preston
Shelley Preston
Shelley Preston , is a singer who is most famous for being the new girl when she joined pop group Bucks Fizz in June 1985.- Career :...
reformed for a one-off series of shows on the 80s revival Here and Now Tour
Here and Now Tour
The Here and Now Tour is a series of concert tours, which began in 2001, featuring groups and singers famous in the 1980s. The Tour takes in arenas and theatres around the UK and still runs today. The tours are organised by Tony Denton Promotions...
. Following this, Nolan was keen to continue and so along with Baker and Preston, they formed a three-piece version of the group, officially called The Original Bucks Fizz. Nolan continues to perform live with the group in occasional shows, although original member Jay Aston has since replaced Preston.
Other activities
Outside of the group, Nolan is a staunch supporter of the charity 'HeadFirst', which was set up as a result of the coach crash and specifically Nolan's head injuries. His support for this charity also incorporates "The Mike Nolan Brain Damage Fund", which was co-created by fellow member Baker. Both continue to raise money for the charity. Other activities outside of Bucks Fizz include appearing on stage in a number of PantomimePantomime
Pantomime — not to be confused with a mime artist, a theatrical performer of mime—is a musical-comedy theatrical production traditionally found in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa, India, Ireland, Gibraltar and Malta, and is mostly performed during the...
s.
External links
- http://www.myspace.com/originalbucksfizz
- http://www.bucksfizzearlyyears.co.uk/
- http://www.raffem.com/BucksFizzVal.htm