Modern Romance (band)
Encyclopedia
Modern Romance were a British pop music
band
that found popularity in the early 1980s. Formed in 1980 by previous members of an earlier punk rock
band, The Leyton Buzzards
, the band enjoyed a string of UK chart hits before they broke up in 1985. They are probably best known for their hit single, Best Years of Our Lives, which made the UK Top 10 and later featured in the movie Shrek
(2001) and its subsequent soundtrack
.
Modern Romance (1983)
Andy Kyriacou, John Du Prez
, Robbie Jaymes
Paul Gendler, Michael J. Mullins
, David Jaymes
. Following hot on the heels of their début UK
chart success Everybody Salsa
in 1981, Modern Romance reached the Top Ten of the UK Singles Chart
with Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey
- an eponymous chorus
chanting salsa
linked lyrics
. After this, they scored a #2 hit on the Billboard Dance chart with the single "Can You Dance", backed with a 'clubland mix' of the same track and another song, called Bring On the Funkateers. After covering
the 1955 hit Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White, Deane departed the band to pursue solo projects.
Michael J. Mullins
took the mantle of lead vocalist. Their next release saw the band reach their highest UK position with Best Years of Our Lives in late 1982. Further hits followed in 1983: High Life, Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
, and Walking in the Rain all made the UK top 20, the latter being their final hit and an uncharacteristic ballad
for them. The band released a compilation album ready for Christmas titled Party Tonight
(1983) - their second album to chart in the UK - and a single, Good Friday, that barely made a dent in the UK top 100.
John Du Prez
would leave the band following the release of Good Friday and after a change of image - from bright coloured suits and wedge hairstyles to long hair and leather jackets - Modern Romance released a final album
, Burn It!
(1985). The album was received poorly and the band called it quits after releasing the stand-alone single Tarzan Boy
(1985) - a cover of the Baltimora
hit - and an anthology mix of their biggest selling songs titled Best Mix of Our Lives
(1985).
In 2001 Andy Kyriacou reformed the band, joining the burgeoning British
1980s in music
revival scene. Despite the new line-up featuring no original band members, Kyriacou had first appeared on the Modern Romance single, Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey, and remained their drummer throughout both the Jaymes/Deane era and Jaymes/Mullins era. In 2002, the new line-up released the album Back on Track, which consisted mostly of re-recorded Modern Romance hits. Back on Track was also released as Moves 2 Fast, with a slightly different track listing.
Former lead vocalist
, Geoff Deane, reappeared in 1983 as 'Geoff Deane & The Valley Girls' to release the Navy Lark single, then again for the solo What About Romance, and write You Think You're A Man for Divine. Deane later became a writer
and producer
, scripting for television program
s such as Birds of a Feather
, Babes in the Wood
, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
, Chef!
, Last Man Standing, and A Many-Splintered Thing. In 2005 he wrote the film Kinky Boots
starring Chiwetel Ejiofor
, and a year later It's a Boy Girl Thing
for Elton John
's Rocket Pictures.
David Jaymes, apart from having significant success as a songwriter and musician, has since moved into the management and consultancy side of the business. He has contributed as songwriter to the movie Shrek
(2001) and as Music Supervisor on the film Fascination
(2004) starring Jacqueline Bisset
and James Naughton
. He has worked with John Du Prez
composing music for advertisements and feature films. Jaymes has managed artists such as Sinéad O'Connor
, Justin Adams
, Miles Hunt aka The Wonder Stuff
, Republica
, and Drum Club
. He has also worked as consultant for the likes of Harry Nilsson
, Jimmy Webb
, George Fenton
, and Chuck Mangione
. He recently worked with a host of musicians on the Haiti Earthquake disaster single, cover version of I Put a Spell on You
(2010), including Shane MacGowan
, Nick Cave
, Chrissy Hynde, and Johnny Depp
.
Modern Romance in their latest guise continue to play the 1980s
festival circuit, and appeared as the opening act at the 2010 Rewind Festival
in Henley-on-Thames, which also included Boy George
, Rick Astley
, Level 42
, T'Pau
, Kajagoogoo
and Heaven 17
. The band is currently in the middle of recording a new album of brand new material, which is due to be finished at the end of 2010, with a tour planned for 2011.
† "By The Way.." was the first credit on a single for their future lead singer Michael J. Mullins
† "Cherry Pink..." was a showcase for trumpet player John Du Prez
, and was the last involvement of Geoff Deane
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...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
that found popularity in the early 1980s. Formed in 1980 by previous members of an earlier punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band, The Leyton Buzzards
Leyton Buzzards
The Leyton Buzzards aka The Buzzards were a British rock band, active between 1976 and 1980, best known for their minor hit single, "Saturday Night ".-Career:...
, the band enjoyed a string of UK chart hits before they broke up in 1985. They are probably best known for their hit single, Best Years of Our Lives, which made the UK Top 10 and later featured in the movie Shrek
Shrek
Shrek is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Loosely based on William Steig's 1990 fairy tale picture book Shrek!...
(2001) and its subsequent soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
.
Modern Romance (1983)
Andy Kyriacou, John Du Prez
John Du Prez
John Du Prez is a musician, conductor, and composer. Du Prez was a member of the 1980s multi-hit Salsa-driven pop band Modern Romance and has since written several Film scores including Oxford Blues and the final Carry On film, Carry On Columbus...
, Robbie Jaymes
Paul Gendler, Michael J. Mullins
Michael J. Mullins
Michael J. Mullins is an English lead vocalist, backing singer, and songwriter best known as the lead singer of Salsa band Modern Romance . Modern Romance achieved eight Top 40 singles and two hit albums...
, David Jaymes
David Jaymes
David Jaymes is an English musician and songwriter best known as the founder member of The Leyton Buzzards and the multi-hit Salsa band Modern Romance . He now works in Music Management and Consultancy.-The Leyton Buzzards :...
Original line-up
- Geoff Deane - Vocalist - (born 10 December 1954, LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
). - David Jaymes - BassistBassistA bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
- (born 28 November 1954, London) - Robbie Jaymes - KeyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- (born 3 October 1961) - Paul Gendler - GuitaristGuitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
- (born 11 August 1960) - Tony Gainsborough - DrummerDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
- (unknown birth details) - John Du PrezJohn Du PrezJohn Du Prez is a musician, conductor, and composer. Du Prez was a member of the 1980s multi-hit Salsa-driven pop band Modern Romance and has since written several Film scores including Oxford Blues and the final Carry On film, Carry On Columbus...
- TrumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
(featured from "Everybody Salsa" onwards) - (born Trevor Jones, 14 December 1946, SheffieldSheffieldSheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
)
Later band members
- Michael J. MullinsMichael J. MullinsMichael J. Mullins is an English lead vocalist, backing singer, and songwriter best known as the lead singer of Salsa band Modern Romance . Modern Romance achieved eight Top 40 singles and two hit albums...
- Vocalist (after departure of Deane) - (born 9 November 1953) - Andy Kyriacou - Drums (after departure of Gainsborough)/Vocalist when the band reformed- (born Andrew Kyriacou, 18 April 1958, London)
- Peter J. Pinto - Guitarist - (born 16 October 1969)
- Nicola Poustie - Backing Singer
- Matt Earnshaw - Drums
- Kevin Sutherland - Keyboards
- Martin Shaw - Trumpet
- Gabriel Nuzzolli - Percussion
Biography
Geoffrey Deane and David Jaymes formed Modern Romance in 1980, having previously been the mainstays of the punk parody band the Leyton BuzzardsLeyton Buzzards
The Leyton Buzzards aka The Buzzards were a British rock band, active between 1976 and 1980, best known for their minor hit single, "Saturday Night ".-Career:...
. Following hot on the heels of their début UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
chart success Everybody Salsa
Everybody Salsa
"Everybody Salsa" is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was their first UK chart entry in 1981, reaching No. 12. It was released as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA Records...
in 1981, Modern Romance reached the Top Ten of the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
with Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey
Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey
"Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey" is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was their second UK chart entry in 1981, reaching No. 10. It was released as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA Records...
- an eponymous chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
chanting salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
linked lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
. After this, they scored a #2 hit on the Billboard Dance chart with the single "Can You Dance", backed with a 'clubland mix' of the same track and another song, called Bring On the Funkateers. After covering
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
the 1955 hit Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White, Deane departed the band to pursue solo projects.
Michael J. Mullins
Michael J. Mullins
Michael J. Mullins is an English lead vocalist, backing singer, and songwriter best known as the lead singer of Salsa band Modern Romance . Modern Romance achieved eight Top 40 singles and two hit albums...
took the mantle of lead vocalist. Their next release saw the band reach their highest UK position with Best Years of Our Lives in late 1982. Further hits followed in 1983: High Life, Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
"Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" is a Top 20 single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch single, 7-inch picture disc, and 12-inch single by WEA...
, and Walking in the Rain all made the UK top 20, the latter being their final hit and an uncharacteristic ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
for them. The band released a compilation album ready for Christmas titled Party Tonight
Party Tonight
Party Tonight is the third album by English band Modern Romance. It was a compilation album released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by Ronco. A Japanese reissue on LP was released, titled Juanita, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
(1983) - their second album to chart in the UK - and a single, Good Friday, that barely made a dent in the UK top 100.
John Du Prez
John Du Prez
John Du Prez is a musician, conductor, and composer. Du Prez was a member of the 1980s multi-hit Salsa-driven pop band Modern Romance and has since written several Film scores including Oxford Blues and the final Carry On film, Carry On Columbus...
would leave the band following the release of Good Friday and after a change of image - from bright coloured suits and wedge hairstyles to long hair and leather jackets - Modern Romance released a final album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Burn It!
Burn It!
Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
(1985). The album was received poorly and the band called it quits after releasing the stand-alone single Tarzan Boy
Tarzan Boy
"Tarzan Boy" is the title of a song recorded by Italy-based act Baltimora. It was the group's debut single, released in April 1985, from its first album Living in the Background, on which it features as first track...
(1985) - a cover of the Baltimora
Baltimora
Baltimora were an Italian New Wave dance outfit active in the mid to late 1980s. The group comprised Jimmy McShane , Maurizio Bassi , Giorgio Cocilovo , Claudio Bazzari , Pier Michelatti and Gabriele Melotti...
hit - and an anthology mix of their biggest selling songs titled Best Mix of Our Lives
Best Mix of Our Lives
"Best Mix of Our Lives" is the final single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA.-12-inch single:*Best Mix of Our Lives*Best Years of Our Lives [extended re-mix]Broken Down...
(1985).
In 2001 Andy Kyriacou reformed the band, joining the burgeoning British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
1980s in music
1980s in music
For music from a year in the 1980s, go to 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89For a history of music in all times, see Timeline of musical events....
revival scene. Despite the new line-up featuring no original band members, Kyriacou had first appeared on the Modern Romance single, Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey, and remained their drummer throughout both the Jaymes/Deane era and Jaymes/Mullins era. In 2002, the new line-up released the album Back on Track, which consisted mostly of re-recorded Modern Romance hits. Back on Track was also released as Moves 2 Fast, with a slightly different track listing.
Former lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, Geoff Deane, reappeared in 1983 as 'Geoff Deane & The Valley Girls' to release the Navy Lark single, then again for the solo What About Romance, and write You Think You're A Man for Divine. Deane later became a writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
, scripting for television program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
s such as Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather was a British sitcom that was broadcast on BBC1 from 1989 until 1998. Starring Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph, it was created by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, who also wrote some of the episodes along with many other writers.The first episode sees sisters...
, Babes in the Wood
Babes in the Wood (TV series)
Babes in the Wood is a British sitcom that aired on ITV from 1998 to 1999. Starring Karl Howman and Denise van Outen, Babes in the Wood was written by Geoff Deane, Paul Alexander, Simon Braithwaite, Ian Searle and Fleur Costello.-Cast:...
, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross was a British comedy chat show presented by Jonathan Ross. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 2 November 2001. The programme featured Ross's take on current topics of conversation, guest interviews and live music from both a guest music group and the house band...
, Chef!
Chef!
Chef! is a British situation comedy starring Lenny Henry that aired as twenty episodes over three series from 1993 to 1996 on the BBC. The show was created and primarily written by Peter Tilbury based on an idea from Lenny Henry and produced for the BBC by Henry's production company, Crucial...
, Last Man Standing, and A Many-Splintered Thing. In 2005 he wrote the film Kinky Boots
Kinky Boots (film)
Kinky Boots is a 2005 comedy film written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth, about a traditional Northampton shoemaker, based in Earls Barton, who turns to producing fetishism footwear in order to save the failing family business and the jobs of his workers...
starring Chiwetel Ejiofor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Chiwetelu Umeadi "Chiwetel" Ejiofor, OBE is an English actor of stage and screen. He has received numerous acting awards and award nominations, including the 2006 BAFTA Awards Rising Star, three Golden Globe Awards' nominations, and the 2008 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for his...
, and a year later It's a Boy Girl Thing
It's a Boy Girl Thing
It's A Boy Girl Thing is a 2006 romantic comedy film directed by Nick Hurran and written by Geoff Deane, starring Samaire Armstrong and Kevin Zegers and set in the United States but produced in the United Kingdom. The producers of the film are David Furnish, Steve Hamilton Shaw of Rocket Pictures...
for Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
's Rocket Pictures.
David Jaymes, apart from having significant success as a songwriter and musician, has since moved into the management and consultancy side of the business. He has contributed as songwriter to the movie Shrek
Shrek
Shrek is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Loosely based on William Steig's 1990 fairy tale picture book Shrek!...
(2001) and as Music Supervisor on the film Fascination
Fascination
Fascination may refer to:In music:*Fascination!, 1983 synth pop album by The Human League**" Fascination", a song in The Human League album Fascination!...
(2004) starring Jacqueline Bisset
Jacqueline Bisset
Jacqueline Bisset is an English actress. She has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award. She is known for her roles in the films Bullitt , Airport , The Deep , Class , and the TV series Nip/Tuck in 2006...
and James Naughton
James Naughton
James Naughton is an American director, theater, film and television actor.-Early life:Naughton was born in Middletown, Connecticut, the son of Rosemary and Joseph Naughton, both of whom were teachers He is the brother of actor David Naughton.-Career:Naughton graduated from Brown University and...
. He has worked with John Du Prez
John Du Prez
John Du Prez is a musician, conductor, and composer. Du Prez was a member of the 1980s multi-hit Salsa-driven pop band Modern Romance and has since written several Film scores including Oxford Blues and the final Carry On film, Carry On Columbus...
composing music for advertisements and feature films. Jaymes has managed artists such as Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....
, Justin Adams
Justin Adams
-Biography:The son of a diplomat, Adams grew up in the middle-east and Egypt, before settling in the UK.He began his career in music in the 1980s with the band The Impossible Dreamers...
, Miles Hunt aka The Wonder Stuff
The Wonder Stuff
The Wonder Stuff are a British alternative rock band, originally based in Stourbridge, West Midlands, in the Black Country, England.-Origins:...
, Republica
Republica
Republica are an English alternative rock band formed in 1994. The height of their popularity spanned from 1996 to 1999. The Republica sound was described by the band as "techno-pop punk rock"...
, and Drum Club
Drum Club
Drum Club was a 1990s electronic music duo of former promoters and DJs Charlie Hall and Lol Hammond. They released several albums and singles on record labels such as Big Life and Butterfly Records. Their 1993 single "Sound System" reached #63 on the UK Singles Chart...
. He has also worked as consultant for the likes of Harry Nilsson
Harry Nilsson
Harry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
, Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Webb is an American songwriter, composer, and singer. He wrote numerous platinum selling classics, including "Up, Up and Away", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston", "The Worst That Could Happen", "All I Know", and "MacArthur Park"...
, George Fenton
George Fenton
George Fenton is a British composer best known for his work writing film scores and music for television, although he also writes music for the theatre. His real name is George Howe but he is better known by his pseudonym of George Fenton.-Selected film and television credits:Fenton has composed...
, and Chuck Mangione
Chuck Mangione
Charles Frank "Chuck" Mangione is an American flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success in 1977 with his jazz-pop single, "Feels So Good." Mangione has released more than thirty albums since 1960.-Early life and career:...
. He recently worked with a host of musicians on the Haiti Earthquake disaster single, cover version of I Put a Spell on You
I Put a Spell on You
"I Put a Spell on You" is a 1956 song written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, whose recording was selected as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. It was also ranked #320 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.Although Hawkins'...
(2010), including Shane MacGowan
Shane MacGowan
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
, Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nicholas Edward "Nick" Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional film actor.He is best known for his work as a frontman of the critically acclaimed rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, established in 1984, a group known for its eclectic influences and...
, Chrissy Hynde, and Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
.
Modern Romance in their latest guise continue to play the 1980s
1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
festival circuit, and appeared as the opening act at the 2010 Rewind Festival
Rewind Festival
The Rewind Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in , Remenham, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England. It was first held in August 2009....
in Henley-on-Thames, which also included Boy George
Boy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
, Rick Astley
Rick Astley
Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries...
, Level 42
Level 42
Level 42 are an English pop rock and jazz-funk band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s.The band gained fame for their high-calibre musicianship—in particular that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the...
, T'Pau
T'Pau (band)
T'Pau was a 1980s British Rock group led by singer Carol Decker. They had a string of Top 40 hits in the UK, and several hits in the United States and Europe...
, Kajagoogoo
Kajagoogoo
Kajagoogoo are a British pop band, best known for their hit single, "Too Shy", which reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 5 on the U.S...
and Heaven 17
Heaven 17
Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating from Sheffield in the early 1980s. The trio comprises Martyn Ware , Ian Craig Marsh and Glenn Gregory...
. The band is currently in the middle of recording a new album of brand new material, which is due to be finished at the end of 2010, with a tour planned for 2011.
Albums
- Adventures in ClublandAdventures in ClublandAdventures in Clubland is the debut album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1981 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA, and in 2008 a CD reissue was released by Wounded Bird Records.-Track listing:...
(1981) Venezuela #1 [Certified Gold] - Modern Romance (1982) [Germany]
- Trick of the LightTrick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light is the second album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA. A Japanese reissue on CD was released, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
(1983) - UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#53 - Party TonightParty TonightParty Tonight is the third album by English band Modern Romance. It was a compilation album released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by Ronco. A Japanese reissue on LP was released, titled Juanita, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
(1983) - UK #45 [Compilation] - Juanita (1983) Japan
- Burn It!Burn It!Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
(1985) - Back on Track (2002)
- Moves 2 Fast (2002)
- Modern Romance: The Platinum Collection (2006) [Compilation]
Singles (Jaymes / Deane era)
- "Modern Romance" b/w "I Believe in Me" (1980)
- "Tonight" b/w "Fever" (1981)
- "Everybody SalsaEverybody Salsa"Everybody Salsa" is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was their first UK chart entry in 1981, reaching No. 12. It was released as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA Records...
" b/w "Salsa Rappsody" (1981) UK #12 - "Ay Ay Ay Ay MooseyAy Ay Ay Ay Moosey"Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey" is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was their second UK chart entry in 1981, reaching No. 10. It was released as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA Records...
" b/w "Moose on the Loose" (1981) UK #10 - "Can You MoveCan You Move"Can You Move" aka Can You Move It aka Can You Dance is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was released in the United States in 1982 as a 12-inch single by Atlantic Records, and in Japan as a 7-inch single through WEA Records....
" b/w "Queen of the Rapping Scene" (1981) US Dance Chart #2 - "Queen of the Rapping Scene (Nothing Ever Goes the Way You Plan)" b/w "Can You Move" [American Mix] (1981) UK#37
- "By the Way... (I'm Still in Love with You)" b/w "By the Way" (Trumpet Voluntary) (1982)
- "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" b/w "Who is John Du PrezJohn Du PrezJohn Du Prez is a musician, conductor, and composer. Du Prez was a member of the 1980s multi-hit Salsa-driven pop band Modern Romance and has since written several Film scores including Oxford Blues and the final Carry On film, Carry On Columbus...
?" (1982) UK #15
† "By The Way.." was the first credit on a single for their future lead singer Michael J. Mullins
Michael J. Mullins
Michael J. Mullins is an English lead vocalist, backing singer, and songwriter best known as the lead singer of Salsa band Modern Romance . Modern Romance achieved eight Top 40 singles and two hit albums...
† "Cherry Pink..." was a showcase for trumpet player John Du Prez
John Du Prez
John Du Prez is a musician, conductor, and composer. Du Prez was a member of the 1980s multi-hit Salsa-driven pop band Modern Romance and has since written several Film scores including Oxford Blues and the final Carry On film, Carry On Columbus...
, and was the last involvement of Geoff Deane
Singles (Jaymes / Mullins era)
- "Best Years of Our LivesBest Years of Our Lives (song)"Best Years of Our Lives" is the highest charting single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in October 1982 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA...
b/w We've Got Them Running (The Counting Song) (1982) - UK #4 - "Band of GoldBand of Gold"Band of Gold" can refer to:*"Band of Gold" , a 1955 song popularized by Don Cherry*"Band of Gold" , a 1970 song popularized by Freda Payne and various other artists...
" b/w "The Man Who Sold The World" (By Midge Ure) (1982) (From the "Party Party" Soundtrack) - "High LifeHigh Life (song)"High Life" is a Top 10 single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch picture disc and a 12-inch single by WEA. A Japanese and German edition was also released.-12-inch single:*High Life*You Just Can't Kill The Beat...
" b/w "You Just Can't Kill the Beat" (1983) - UK #8 - "Don't Stop That Crazy RhythmDon't Stop That Crazy Rhythm"Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" is a Top 20 single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch single, 7-inch picture disc, and 12-inch single by WEA...
" b/w "I Can't Help Myself" (1983) - UK #14 - "Walking in the RainWalking in the Rain (Modern Romance song)"Walking in the Rain" is a Top 10 single and an uncharacteristic ballad from UK salsa music band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA. A Japanese version was also released.-History:...
" b/w "Walking in the Rain (Blues)" (1983) - UK #7, Thailand #1 - "Good FridayGood Friday (song)"Good Friday" is the final song from Modern Romance in 1983. It was taken from their album Party Tonight.-Formats:7-inch single*"Good Friday"*"Good Feelings" [re-mix]12-inch single*"Good Friday"...
" b/w "Good Feelings" [re-mix] (1983) - UK #96 - "Juanita" b/w "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" [New Version] [Japan] (1983)
- "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)"Just My Imagination " is a song by American soul group The Temptations. Released on the Gordy label, and produced by Norman Whitfield, it features on the group's 1971 album, Sky's the Limit. When released as a single, "Just My Imagination" became the third Temptations song to reach number one on...
" b/w "Stranger Days" (1984) - "Burn It!Burn It! (song)"Burn It!" is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1984 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by RCA Records. It was also released in the United States and Canada and was produced by Tony Visconti...
" b/w "Burn It!" [Instrumental] (1984) - "Move OnMove On (Modern Romance song)"Move On" is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1984 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by RCA Records and was produced by Tony Visconti. It is taken from their studio album Burn It! as is the B-side, "That's Entertainment"....
" b/w "That's Entertainment" (1984) - "That's What Friends Are ForThat's What Friends Are For (Modern Romance song)"That's What Friends Are For" is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1984 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by RCA Records and was produced by Tony Visconti...
" b/w "(Blame My) Jealousy" (1984) - "Tarzan Boy" b/w "Sail Away" (1985)
- "Best Mix of Our LivesBest Mix of Our Lives"Best Mix of Our Lives" is the final single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA.-12-inch single:*Best Mix of Our Lives*Best Years of Our Lives [extended re-mix]Broken Down...
" b/w "Best Year of Our Lives" [remix] (1985) UK #81
Related Singles
- Tri Tra Trullala c/w Best Years of Our Lives - Joachim WittJoachim WittJoachim Witt is a German musician and actor.- Life and work :Joachim Witt became a major star of the German pop scene during the eighties with huge hits such as "Der Goldene Reiter"...
/Modern Romance (1982) - Everybody Salsa b/w Can You MoveCan You Move"Can You Move" aka Can You Move It aka Can You Dance is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was released in the United States in 1982 as a 12-inch single by Atlantic Records, and in Japan as a 7-inch single through WEA Records....
'88 - David Jaymes (1988)
Formats
- Adventures in Clubland Vinyl, Cassette, CD
- Trick of the Light Vinyl, Cassette, CD Import
- Party Tonight Vinyl, Cassette
- Juanita Vinyl Import
- Burn It! Vinyl, Cassette
- Modern Romance: The Platinum Collection Vinyl, CD
- Modern Romance 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- Tonight 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- Everybody Salsa 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- Queen of the Rapping Scene/Nothing Ever Goes the Way You Plan 7 inch Vinyl
- By the Way (I'm Still in Love with You) 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom White) 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- Best Years of Our Lives 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- High Life 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl, Picture Disc, 12 inch Vinyl Poster Bag
- Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl, Picture Disc, 12 inch Vinyl Poster Bag
- Walking in the Rain 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- Good Friday 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) 7 inch Vinyl
- Burn It! 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- Move On 7 inch Vinyl
- That's What Friends Are For 7 inch Vinyl
- Tarzan Boy 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
- Best Mix of Our Lives 7 inch Vinyl, 12 inch Vinyl
See also
- Michael J. MullinsMichael J. MullinsMichael J. Mullins is an English lead vocalist, backing singer, and songwriter best known as the lead singer of Salsa band Modern Romance . Modern Romance achieved eight Top 40 singles and two hit albums...
- Trick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light is the second album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA. A Japanese reissue on CD was released, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
- Best Years of Our Lives (1982 song)
- Best Mix of Our LivesBest Mix of Our Lives"Best Mix of Our Lives" is the final single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA.-12-inch single:*Best Mix of Our Lives*Best Years of Our Lives [extended re-mix]Broken Down...
- High Life (1983 song)
- Walking in the Rain (1983 song)
- Don't Stop That Crazy RhythmDon't Stop That Crazy Rhythm"Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" is a Top 20 single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch single, 7-inch picture disc, and 12-inch single by WEA...
- Good Friday (1983 song)
- Modern Romance - IMDB - Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2167905/J - David Jaymes - IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1659850/
- Paul Gendler - IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0312678/
- Modern Romance (band) - Discogs Website - http://www.discogs.com/artist/Modern+Romance
- Modern Romance (band) - Chart Stats Website - http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=3491