Vive Le Rock
Encyclopedia
Vive Le Rock is the third solo album by Adam Ant
, released in 1985.
This album at first received only minor attention in the United States
, peaking only at #131. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at #42. One single from the album was released in the United States
- the title track "Vive Le Rock." The 12th track "Human Bondage Den" was released on the original cassette and CD release of this album (as a bonus non-LP track). Most re-releases did not feature this track until Epic Records
re-released the album in 2005 (along with seven other bonus tracks).
Producer Tony Visconti
, famous for his 1970's work with Ant's heroes Marc Bolan
and David Bowie
, commented recently on his work with Adam on Vive Le Rock: "What a creative ball of energy! He was great to work with. He's very opinionated and knows what he wants. We didn't quite agree during the mixes, he kind of wanted everything very trebly and I'm a bassey kind of producer."
The album was a realization of the new "rockers in space" ethic and look Adam Ant
had begun with the hit UK single "Apollo 9
" in September 1984, which peaked at #13. Many say Vive Le Rocks failure was that Adam's new concept did not click with the buying public. However, one can attest the failure of the album to the fact that it was so long in coming; Apollo 9
was a hit a year before Vive Le Rock's release. Ant himself has stated, in his autobiography, Stand and Deliver
, that "Vive Le Rock" (the single release of the title track) only entered the charts in the UK at #64, and peaked at #50; the fact that his then-current record label was unwilling to work heavily on promotion for the album left him depressed and unenthusiastic about his future in music. This may have led to his decision to work heavily on his acting career and put his music career on hold until the release of Manners & Physique
in 1990. However, in the same book, Ant discusses his performance at Live Aid
, where the band before him, having played over their alloted time, caused it so he could only play one song. He chose the current single, "Vive Le Rock". While his acrobatic performance left him winded, he states that "as Bowie played 'TVC15', 'Rebel Rebel' and 'Heroes', I gaped in awe. Here was a lesson in how to be a star. How far I had yet to go."
Adam Ant
Adam Ant is an English musician who gained popularity as the lead singer of New Wave/post-punk group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring ten UK top ten hits between 1980 and 1983, including three No.1s...
, released in 1985.
This album at first received only minor attention in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, peaking only at #131. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at #42. One single from the album was released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
- the title track "Vive Le Rock." The 12th track "Human Bondage Den" was released on the original cassette and CD release of this album (as a bonus non-LP track). Most re-releases did not feature this track until Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
re-released the album in 2005 (along with seven other bonus tracks).
Producer Tony Visconti
Tony Visconti
Anthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer and sometimes a musician or singer.Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers; his lengthiest involvement with any artist is with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity to 2003's Reality, Visconti...
, famous for his 1970's work with Ant's heroes Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
and David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, commented recently on his work with Adam on Vive Le Rock: "What a creative ball of energy! He was great to work with. He's very opinionated and knows what he wants. We didn't quite agree during the mixes, he kind of wanted everything very trebly and I'm a bassey kind of producer."
The album was a realization of the new "rockers in space" ethic and look Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant is an English musician who gained popularity as the lead singer of New Wave/post-punk group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring ten UK top ten hits between 1980 and 1983, including three No.1s...
had begun with the hit UK single "Apollo 9
Apollo 9
Apollo 9, the third manned mission in the American Apollo space program, was the first flight of the Command/Service Module with the Lunar Module...
" in September 1984, which peaked at #13. Many say Vive Le Rocks failure was that Adam's new concept did not click with the buying public. However, one can attest the failure of the album to the fact that it was so long in coming; Apollo 9
Apollo 9
Apollo 9, the third manned mission in the American Apollo space program, was the first flight of the Command/Service Module with the Lunar Module...
was a hit a year before Vive Le Rock's release. Ant himself has stated, in his autobiography, Stand and Deliver
Stand and Deliver
Stand and Deliver is a 1988 American drama film, based on the true story of high school mathematics teacher Jaime Escalante. Edward James Olmos portrayed Escalante in the film and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.-Plot:...
, that "Vive Le Rock" (the single release of the title track) only entered the charts in the UK at #64, and peaked at #50; the fact that his then-current record label was unwilling to work heavily on promotion for the album left him depressed and unenthusiastic about his future in music. This may have led to his decision to work heavily on his acting career and put his music career on hold until the release of Manners & Physique
Manners & Physique
Manners & Physique is the fourth solo album from Adam Ant. It was released by March 1990 by MCA Records. The single "Room at the Top" peaked at number 13 in England and number 17 in America...
in 1990. However, in the same book, Ant discusses his performance at Live Aid
Live Aid
Live Aid was a dual-venue concert that was held on 13 July 1985. The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. Billed as the "global jukebox", the event was held simultaneously in Wembley Stadium in London, England, United Kingdom ...
, where the band before him, having played over their alloted time, caused it so he could only play one song. He chose the current single, "Vive Le Rock". While his acrobatic performance left him winded, he states that "as Bowie played 'TVC15', 'Rebel Rebel' and 'Heroes', I gaped in awe. Here was a lesson in how to be a star. How far I had yet to go."
Album tracks
- All songs written by Adam AntAdam AntAdam Ant is an English musician who gained popularity as the lead singer of New Wave/post-punk group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring ten UK top ten hits between 1980 and 1983, including three No.1s...
and Marco PirroniMarco PirroniMarco Francesco Andrea Pirroni is an English guitarist, songwriter and record producer...
.
- "Vive Le Rock" 3:39
- "Miss Thing" 3:08
- "Razor Keen" 3:49
- "Rip Down" 3:23
- "Scorpio Rising" 4:04
- "Apollo 9" 3:22
- "Hell's Eight Acres" 3:51
- "Mohair Lockeroom Pin-Up Boys" 3:14
- "No Zap" 3:14
- "P.O.E." 3:24
- "Apollo 9 (Acapella Reprise)" 1:32
- "Human Bondage Den" (Bonus track)
Personnel
- Adam Ant: Vocals and Piano
- Marco PirroniMarco PirroniMarco Francesco Andrea Pirroni is an English guitarist, songwriter and record producer...
: Guitars - Chris ConstantinouChris ConstantinouChris Constantinou is an English musician. Famous for being the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for Adam Ant. He is now the lead singer and bassist of the band, The Wolfmen.- Childhood and early bands :...
, Chris DeNiro: Bass and Vocals - "Count" Bogdan Wiczling: Drums and Percussion
Production
- Produced By Tony Visconti & Adam Ant
- Engineer: Tony Visconti
- Assistant Engineer: Sven Taits
- Mixing: Francois Kevorkian
- Mastering: Ray Staff
Epic Records re-release from 2005 included the following bonus tracks
- "Vive Le Rock" (Unreleased 12" Mix)
- "Apollo 9" (Unreleased Francois K 7" Mix)
- "Doggy Style" (Unreleased Demo TrackDemo (music)A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
)
- "Night They Vietcong" (Unreleased Demo Track)
- "Rip Down" (Demo Version)
- "Big Big Man" (Unreleased Demo Track)
- "Apollo 9" (Francois KFrançois KevorkianFrançois Kevorkian, alias François K, is a French DJ of Armenian origin, remixer, producer and record label owner. Having started his career in renowned clubs such as the Paradise Garage and Studio 54, the New York City resident is widely considered as one of the forefathers of house...
Splashdown Mix)
- "Vive Le Rock" (Unreleased US 7" Mix)