Bucks Fizz

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This article is about the band. For their self-titled album, see Bucks Fizz (album). For the cocktail, see Buck's fizz.

Bucks Fizz
Bucks Fizz performing in 1984
Bucks Fizz performing in 1984
Background information
OriginUnited Kingdom
Genres
Years active1981–2018
Labels
SpinoffsThe Fizz
Past members

Bucks Fizz were an English

New Beginning (Mamba Seyra)" (1986). Bucks Fizz have sold over 50 million records worldwide.[1][2]

The line-up of the group has changed a number of times over the years, most famously when Jay Aston quit the group in 1985 and was replaced by Shelley Preston. Bobby G's official version of Bucks Fizz has been inactive since 2018, while another group The Fizz continues which comprises the other three original members – Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston.

Career

Formation

In late 1980, Nichola Martin and

Buck's Fizz, as it was her favourite drink.[3] In January, Martin contacted Cheryl Baker to join them, as she remembered her from the 1978 Eurovision group, Co-Co. Concurrent to this, Martin was holding auditions for another male vocalist and female vocalist, should Baker turn down the position (which she didn't). At the end of these auditions, Martin had found a male singer, Stephen Fischer and female, Jay Aston. Unsure of which female vocalist to use, she ultimately decided to use both Baker and Aston as she felt their vocals complemented each other and Martin stepped down from the group in order to team up with Hill for another line-up as they had two songs in the competition.[4] Fischer then became unavailable as he was appearing in a musical at the time and Martin hired another auditionee, Bobby G for the group. The four members came together for the first time on 11 January 1981. Jill Shirley, with whom Martin had been in a group called Rags who had appeared in the 1977 'A Song for Europe' contest (placing fourth), agreed to manage the group.[4]

Eurovision

The skirt rip at Eurovision 1981

During rehearsals, a dance routine was devised for the song which went on to become famous for the moment where the girls' skirts are ripped off halfway through – only to reveal shorter skirts underneath (in line with the part of the lyrics "... when you see some more"). The routine itself was choreographed by Chrissie Wickham, a former member of dance troupe Hot Gossip, although Martin, Baker and Aston have all since laid claim to the skirt-rip idea, Martin had used a similar idea when 'Rags' had taken part in the earlier 'A Song for Europe' contest in 1977; subsequently performing the same routine on 'Top of the Pops' after failing to win the competition.[3][5]

On 11 March, A Song for Europe took place with the then unknown Bucks Fizz competing against well-known act Liquid Gold, as well as Hill and Martin's own group, Gem.[6] "Making Your Mind Up" became an easy winner and the group recorded the song with Hill as producer. Later in the month it was released as a single and entered the charts at No.24. By the time the contest was staged, the single had risen to No.2.[7][8]

On 4 April, Bucks Fizz represented United Kingdom in the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Dublin. Although they were favourites to win, the song faced stiff competition, and early votes were poor. Halfway through the voting process, Bucks Fizz took the lead, although they remained close throughout. Ultimately, Bucks Fizz won the contest by a margin of four points, beating Germany into second place.[9] "Making Your Mind Up" became a major hit around the continent, reaching No.1 in the UK as well as eight other countries. It charted highly in other countries such as Australia, eventually selling four million copies worldwide.

Post-Eurovision success

With Shirley remaining as the group's manager, Hill as producer and Martin as co-songwriter, they worked with record company A&R head Bill Kimber to continue the group's success, determined that they would not become another Eurovision

rock and roll style of "Making Your Mind Up". As Baker has stated: "Our follow-up single was nothing at all like 'Making Your Mind Up', it was a good, strong, contemporary pop song"[10] "Piece of the Action" became an immediate hit and quickly rose to No.12 in the UK charts.[11] It also charted highly across Europe. Buoyed by this success, the group launched into recording their debut album for RCA Records with producer Andy Hill. Released in July, the self-titled album also became a top 20 hit in the UK charts, as did their third single, "One of Those Nights".[12][13] In November 1981, Bucks Fizz represented the UK at the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, where they achieved the "Best Song Award" and fifth place overall with their song "Another Night".[14][15] The song was released as a single there and went on to be included on their second album.[16]

Continued popularity (1981–1984)

In late 1981, Andy Hill, along with former King Crimson member Peter Sinfield, wrote the fourth Bucks Fizz single. Titled "The Land of Make Believe", the song was produced by Hill and featured a strong melody. Released in November, it hit the charts and by Christmas was in the top five.[17] In January 1982, it overtook The Human League's "Don't You Want Me" to reach No.1.[18] It stayed there for two weeks and remained in the UK charts for 16 weeks, becoming the group's best-selling single and one of the top-selling singles of the decade.[19] It also reached No.1 in the Netherlands and Ireland and became the group's best-selling single in Germany.[20] The song has since been hailed as a 1980s classic and is regarded as the group's best song by some critics.[21][22][23][24]

Early in 1982, the group were awarded 'best group' at the

You'll Never Walk Alone".[30]

In February 1983, Bucks Fizz arrived in Chile for the promotion of their Spanish album. They performed in the music festival Festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar, which was broadcast in Chile and many countries in South America, as well as in Spain. In the UK, chart success continued with the release of the hit singles "

silver by the BPI.[33][34] By this stage, although Bucks Fizz faced harsh criticism in the media for their lightweight pop image, the music press were acknowledging the group's highly polished performances and sturdy productions, gaining favourable mentions in the NME and Record Mirror.[35][36] With an eye to harden their sound, the group's next single, "When We Were Young", featured a heavy production and doom-laden lyrics. With a rock-style lead vocal by member Jay Aston, the single became one of the group's biggest hits, featuring in the top 20 of many European countries, including top ten in the UK and top five in France.[37][38] However, toward the end of 1983, it seemed that the group's success was beginning to dim as singles "London Town" and "Rules of the Game" failed to reach the top twenty — their first singles to miss.[39][40] Along with these came the group's Greatest Hits album, which, despite reaching the top thirty and remaining on the charts for three months, fell short of expectations.[41]

Early in 1984, the group decided to take time out of the public eye, fearing overexposure for their recent downward trend and instead concentrating on recording in Switzerland. In May, they embarked on a 40-date tour of the UK, selling out many venues.

Golden Days" was released alongside group's fourth studio album, I Hear Talk. The group had recorded "What’s Love Got To Do With It" for inclusion on the album, but the track was omitted when Tina Turner released her version first. The group saw their fortunes tumble once again, as neither the album nor "Golden Days" dented the top 40. As Christmas 1984 came around, the group embarked on another UK tour and released the album's title single, a minor hit that reached No. 34.[44]

Coach crash

On 11 December 1984, while on tour and returning from a sold-out gig in

short-term memory loss and a 50% loss of vision in both eyes.[50]
Following this, Baker and Nolan helped set up the HeadFirst charity for crash victims suffering head injuries.

On 12 December 2009, the original Bucks Fizz (Nolan, Baker and Aston) played a benefit concert for HeadFirst at Newcastle City Hall to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the accident — the same venue they played the night of the crash.[51] The anniversary of the crash was reported on local BBC News, with the members revisiting the crash location.[52]

Line-up changes

With Nolan recuperating during early 1985, the group returned to recording and released

the Prince of Wales Theatre, where 800 girls were seen. Eventually, 21-year-old Shelley Preston
was given the job.

In early 1986, the group's contract with

New Beginning (Mamba Seyra)", was released in May and brought the group back to prominence, becoming a top-10 hit and one of their most successful singles.[54] After two more less-successful singles and an album, the group took a break during 1987 and regrouped in 1988. After a brief UK tour, the group released their final chart hit, "Heart of Stone" (later a worldwide hit for Cher) and a compilation album, The Story So Far
. These proved to be the end for Bucks Fizz as a recording group, and after a concert tour in 1989, Preston left the group at the end of the year.

With the focus on live work and touring, the group continued into the 1990s, now as a three-piece of Baker, G and Nolan. In 1991, celebrating 10 years together, Bucks Fizz released their last album,

Dollar star David Van Day
joined.

Group dispute

The partnership between G and Van Day proved to be short-lived as the two failed to gel. In 1997, Van Day quit the group after a show in the Falkland Islands. Unable to come to an agreement with G, Van Day teamed up with Mike Nolan and two new female recruits (Lianna Lea and Sally Jacks)[55] to form a new version of Bucks Fizz. Unhappy with the situation, G put an injunction on the name, resulting in the second group to go under the name; "Bucks Fizz starring Mike Nolan and featuring David Van Day".[1] Under Van Day's guidance, this version released a newly recorded "Making Your Mind Up" single as well as an album of re-recorded Bucks Fizz songs. Neither found chart success and the recordings were universally derided by the group's fans.[56]

By 2001, Nolan too had found it difficult to work with Van Day and left the group. With his then girlfriend, future UK Eurovision representative

trade mark was filed in favour of Manton on 25 June 1997 and then registered in 2001 in classes 09 and 41.[58][59] In 2001, a judge refused to grant a court injunction against Van Day as he had been operating as Bucks Fizz for five years at the time.[60]

The feud and legal battle between Bobby G and David Van Day as to who had the right to perform under the name "Bucks Fizz" was the subject of a

Dollar. This chapter of the group's history has been referred to as one of the "messiest break-ups in music history".[62]

Recent years

The Original Bucks Fizz performing in 2004

In 2004,

The Lost Masters 2 were released. These were made up of previously-unreleased Bucks Fizz material and were well received by fans. In early 2009, a two-hour documentary The Bucks Fizz Story was filmed. It featured in-depth interviews from the original group members as well as management and other behind-the-scenes personnel. A DVD of the documentary was released in August 2010 through Glassbeach Media Ltd,[63] and saw a general release in November 2011.[64] During the 2010s the original Bucks Fizz studio albums were released again as double-disc editions.[65]

In the late 2010s Bucks Fizz continued performing live as well as another line-up performing under the name

The F-Z of Pop, the group's comeback album reached the top 30 in the UK Albums Chart and was BBC Radio 2's 'album of the week' by Ken Bruce.[67][68] They have subsequently recorded a Christmas album - Christmas with the Fizz and their third album Smoke & Mirrors was released on 6 March 2020, helmed again by Mike Stock.[69]

Original member Bobby G continued up until 2018 as Bucks Fizz with the line-up of Heidi Manton, Tammy Choat and Paul Yates.[70]

Members

There have been 16 members of the group since its formation in 1980. Bucks Fizz operated as a trio between 1990 and 1993. The only constant member and owner of the legal rights to use the name of the group was Robert Gubby (a.k.a. Bobby G).

Final lineup

  • Bobby G (1981–2018)
  • Heidi Manton (1994–2018)
  • Tammy Choat (2004–2018)
  • Paul Yates (2012–2018)

Previous members

  • Mike Nolan (1981–1996)
  • Cheryl Baker (1981–1993)
  • Jay Aston (1981–1985)
  • Shelley Preston (1985–1990)
  • Amanda Szwarc (1994–1996)
  • David Van Day (1996–1997)
  • Karen Logan (1996)
  • Louise Hart (1996–2002)
  • Graham Crisp (1997–2002)
  • Nikki Winter (2003)
  • Wayne Chinnery (2003–2006)
  • Paul Fordham (2006–2012)
  • Jenny Phillips (2006; covering Heidi Manton's maternity leave)

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Bucks Fizz discography

References

  1. ^ a b Trouble at the Top, BBC Television, 14 February 2002
  2. ^ "Bucks Fizz Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
  3. ^ a b "Bobby G interview". Weekenderinteractive.butlinsonline.co.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  4. ^ a b "Bucks Fizz". Nme.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
  5. ^ "Cheryl Baker interview". BBC. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
  6. ^ "A Song for Europe 1981". Songs4europe.com. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  7. ^ "Making Your Mind Up - Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Rags - Promises Promises 28th April 1977 Top Of The Pops". Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2019 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ "1981 Eurovision Song Contest results". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
  10. ^ Nul Points, BBC documentary, 1992
  11. ^ "Piece of the Action - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Bucks Fizz Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  13. ^ "One of Those Nights - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Yamaha website (in Japanese) – 1981 finals, 1 November 1981". Yamaha-mf.or.jp. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  15. ^ "Telenet – World Popular Song Festival website – 1981 final". Users.telenet.be. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  16. ^ "Bucks Fizz - 恋はワンダー・ゲーム Another Night (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  19. ^ "UK top selling singles of the 1980s". Buzzjack.com. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  20. ^ ""The Land of Make Believe"Chart positions in Europe". Tsort.info. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  21. ^ "Bucks Fizz Top 40The Fans Choice". 22 May 2009. Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  22. ^ Smash Hits, December 1986 ("Keep Each Other Warm" review)
  23. Q Magazine, October 2000, (Are You Ready
    re-issue review)
  24. Q Magazine
    , April 2001
  25. ^ "My Camera Never Lies Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  26. ^ "Are You Ready Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  27. ^ "Are You Ready certification". Bpi.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2009.
  28. ^ Smash Hits, Album reviews, 15 May 1982
  29. ^ "Now Those Days Are Gone Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  30. ^ "Royal Variety Performance 1982". Qsulis.demon.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  31. ^ "If You Can't Stand the Heat - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  32. ^ "Run For Your Life - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  33. ^ "Hand cut - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  34. ^ "Hand Cut certification". Bpi.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  35. ^ NME, Single review of "Run for Your Life", March 1983
  36. ^ Record Mirror, "Bucks Fizz make exceedingly good records", April 1983
  37. ^ "When We Were Young European chart peaks". Tsort.info. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  38. ^ "When We Were Young - Official Charts History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  39. ^ "London Town - Official Charts History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  40. ^ "Rules of the Game - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  41. ^ "Greatests Hits - Bucks Fizz - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  42. ^ "Bucks Fizz - 1984". 3 December 2008. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  43. ^ "Talking in Your Sleep - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  44. ^ "BUCKS FIZZ | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  45. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest Helsinki 2007 | Bucks Fizz' Cheryl speaks out". 21 November 2006. Archived from the original on 21 November 2006. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  46. ^ "Bucks Fizz star Jay Aston relives coach crash horror and says 'we were all lucky to survive'". Daily Mirror. 8 August 2006. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  47. ^ "I cheated death in pop coach crash, but head injuries made my life a wreck". Daily Mirror. 25 November 1997. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  48. ^ Daily Mirror, 13, 14, 15 December 1984
  49. ^ Daily Express, 12, 13, 15 December 1984
  50. ^ "Headfirst - Our Stories - Cheryl Baker's Story". 17 March 2009. Archived from the original on 17 March 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  51. ^ Barr, Gordon (6 November 2009). "Bucks Fizz to play one-off gig at City Hall". Chroniclelive.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  52. ^ BBC Look North, 11 December 2009
  53. ^ "Bucks Fizz bury the hatchet to tour again". Kent News. Retrieved 13 November 2009.[permanent dead link]
  54. ^ "New Beginning (Mamba Seyra) - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  55. ^ "h2g2 - Bucks Fizz - the Band - Edited Entry". H2g2.com. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  56. ^ "Bucks Fizz fan forum". Bucksfizzearlyyears.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  57. ^ a b "Trouble at the Top: Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up". Locate TV. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  58. ^ "Intellectual Property Magazine". Ipworld.com. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  59. ^ "Intellectual Property Office - Our trade mark enquiry service has moved". Ipo.gov.uk. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  60. ^ "Trademark and patent snippets — Spring 2002". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  61. ^ "Bucks Fizz name dispute settled". News.bbc.co.uk. 15 August 2002. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  62. ^ "Fleetwood Mac and the 17 other messiest break-ups in music history". Telegraph.co.uk. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  63. ^ Glassbeach Media Ltd. "Bucks Fizz Story on DVD". Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  64. ^ Amazon. "The Bucks Fizz Story release date". Amazon UK. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  65. ^ Cherry Red Records. "Bucks Fizz remasters". Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  66. ^ "Bucks Fizz announce first album in 30 years, but under a new name". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  67. ^ Baker, Cheryl (21 September 2017). "Great hearing #UpForTheFight on @BBCRadio2 @RealKenBruce Thanks for making us Album of the Week! Love you! @TheFizzCMJB #TheF2ZofPop". Twitter.
  68. ^ "FIZZ | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  69. ^ Campbell, Craig. "Former Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker on Christmas album and career highs and lows". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  70. ^ "Who's Who". Bucksfizz.co.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2015.

External links

Media related to Bucks Fizz at Wikimedia Commons

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest
1981 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Prima Donna
with "Love Enough for Two
"
UK in the Eurovision Song Contest

1981 		Succeeded by
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