Bucks Fizz
Bucks Fizz | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | United Kingdom |
Genres | |
Years active | 1981–2018 |
Labels | |
Spinoffs | The Fizz |
Past members |
|
Bucks Fizz were an English
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
Eurovision
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
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
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 "
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.
Coach crash
On 11 December 1984, while on tour and returning from a sold-out gig in
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
In early 1986, the group's contract with
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,
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
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
Recent years
In 2004,
In the late 2010s Bucks Fizz continued performing live as well as another line-up performing under the name
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
- Bucks Fizz (1981)
- Are You Ready (1982)
- Hand Cut (1983)
- I Hear Talk (1984)
- Writing on the Wall (1986)
References
- ^ a b Trouble at the Top, BBC Television, 14 February 2002
- ^ "Bucks Fizz Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
- ^ a b "Bobby G interview". Weekenderinteractive.butlinsonline.co.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
- ^ a b "Bucks Fizz". Nme.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
- ^ "Cheryl Baker interview". BBC. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
- ^ "A Song for Europe 1981". Songs4europe.com. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
- ^ "Making Your Mind Up - Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Rags - Promises Promises 28th April 1977 Top Of The Pops". Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2019 – via YouTube.
- ^ "1981 Eurovision Song Contest results". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
- ^ Nul Points, BBC documentary, 1992
- ^ "Piece of the Action - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Bucks Fizz Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "One of Those Nights - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Yamaha website (in Japanese) – 1981 finals, 1 November 1981". Yamaha-mf.or.jp. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- ^ "Telenet – World Popular Song Festival website – 1981 final". Users.telenet.be. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "UK top selling singles of the 1980s". Buzzjack.com. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
- ^ ""The Land of Make Believe"Chart positions in Europe". Tsort.info. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
- ^ "Bucks Fizz Top 40The Fans Choice". 22 May 2009. Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ Smash Hits, December 1986 ("Keep Each Other Warm" review)
- Q Magazine, October 2000, (Are You Readyre-issue review)
- Q Magazine, April 2001
- ^ "My Camera Never Lies Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Are You Ready Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Are You Ready certification". Bpi.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2009.
- ^ Smash Hits, Album reviews, 15 May 1982
- ^ "Now Those Days Are Gone Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Royal Variety Performance 1982". Qsulis.demon.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
- ^ "If You Can't Stand the Heat - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Run For Your Life - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Hand cut - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Hand Cut certification". Bpi.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
- ^ NME, Single review of "Run for Your Life", March 1983
- ^ Record Mirror, "Bucks Fizz make exceedingly good records", April 1983
- ^ "When We Were Young European chart peaks". Tsort.info. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
- ^ "When We Were Young - Official Charts History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "London Town - Official Charts History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Rules of the Game - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Greatests Hits - Bucks Fizz - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Bucks Fizz - 1984". 3 December 2008. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ "Talking in Your Sleep - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "BUCKS FIZZ | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "I cheated death in pop coach crash, but head injuries made my life a wreck". Daily Mirror. 25 November 1997. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
- ^ Daily Mirror, 13, 14, 15 December 1984
- ^ Daily Express, 12, 13, 15 December 1984
- ^ "Headfirst - Our Stories - Cheryl Baker's Story". 17 March 2009. Archived from the original on 17 March 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ BBC Look North, 11 December 2009
- ^ "Bucks Fizz bury the hatchet to tour again". Kent News. Retrieved 13 November 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "New Beginning (Mamba Seyra) - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "h2g2 - Bucks Fizz - the Band - Edited Entry". H2g2.com. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ "Bucks Fizz fan forum". Bucksfizzearlyyears.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Intellectual Property Magazine". Ipworld.com. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
- ^ "Intellectual Property Office - Our trade mark enquiry service has moved". Ipo.gov.uk. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
- ^ "Trademark and patent snippets — Spring 2002". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
- ^ "Bucks Fizz name dispute settled". News.bbc.co.uk. 15 August 2002. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Glassbeach Media Ltd. "Bucks Fizz Story on DVD". Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ Amazon. "The Bucks Fizz Story release date". Amazon UK. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
- ^ Cherry Red Records. "Bucks Fizz remasters". Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ "Bucks Fizz announce first album in 30 years, but under a new name". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ Baker, Cheryl (21 September 2017). "Great hearing #UpForTheFight on @BBCRadio2 @RealKenBruce Thanks for making us Album of the Week! Love you! @TheFizzCMJB #TheF2ZofPop". Twitter.
- ^ "FIZZ | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ Campbell, Craig. "Former Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker on Christmas album and career highs and lows". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ "Who's Who". Bucksfizz.co.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
External links
Media related to Bucks Fizz at Wikimedia Commons