Spurs Music Forum

17 Years ago today Ian left us forever, but he left us with things like this to remember him by

 

Good single. I own it and still play it.

 

I liked 'She's expecting you' the B side to 'Going Left Right'...

 

At this point I thought they were going to be a great band and that Vaughn Toulouse was going to be a star, and though he made this (and another) record for Wellers Respond label (which I quite liked) the early promise was unfulfilled.

He was a good DJ and was often to be seen at Style Council concerts spinning discs as Weller attempted to create a soulful atmosphere at his gigs and of course he died far too young in 1991 aged just 32.

The Department S album Sub- stance was eventually released in 2003 and 22 years after it was recorded and I think that it was clear why it wasn't released at the time, but I am pleased to have it in my collection.

 

How well do you know your stuff? (Answers tomorrow (if anyone replies)) Song & Artist please:

1. 1986 hit for UK punk bank was a cover of a UK #2 hit from 1968 for one of two brothers who had had a series of minor hits previously. Their mother had reached #5 in 1958 with "Love Me Forever".

2. U.S #1 in 1982 was quite a big hit too in the UK for former Suzi Quatro inspired ex-all girl band member and her band. The song was a cover, which was covered again years later by a blonde US pop queen who had 5 UK #1s.

3. First million seller for this band and US & UK #1 in 1966. The single cost a staggering $15,000 to make when a tenth of that sum was usually spent on making records, making it the most expensive ever at that time. The band had 4 US #1s, but this was their only UK chart topper.

4. 1981 #1 both sides of the Atlantic and has probably the most enduring synth riff in the history of electronic music. Two members of a band from the same UK city, who had a chart topping hit with their new band, received 1% of the royalties - probably a tidy sum given how often this song gets played.

5. US #1 in 1968 didn't make the top ten in the UK until 1991, this six and half minute epic was written by the band's keyboardist who indulged himself with long instrumental passages, but the star performer was always the lead singer.

 

1. Eloise...my eldest's name. First day at senior school her music teacher asked "Whose parent's were punks?" She put her hand up, "That figures" says Mr Teacher.

There's a surreal clip from TVAM of Dave Vanian and Barry Ryan being interviewed back in '86.

"So, Mr Vanian, I understand you used to be a grave digger?"

 

I liked them a lot and saw Vaughan Toulouse out and about a fair bit back in the day. Hard to miss him as he was a good looking chap. It's strange that some people make it and others don't. It wouldn't have taken too much for him to have had Adam Ant's career.

 

How well do you know your stuff? (Answers tomorrow (if anyone replies)) Song & Artist please:

1. 1986 hit for UK punk bank was a cover of a UK #2 hit from 1968 for one of two brothers who had had a series of minor hits previously. Their mother had reached #5 in 1958 with "Love Me Forever".

2. U.S #1 in 1982 was quite a big hit too in the UK for former Suzi Quatro inspired ex-all girl band member and her band. The song was a cover, which was covered again years later by a blonde US pop queen who had 5 UK #1s. Joan Jett - I Love Rock N Roll

3. First million seller for this band and US & UK #1 in 1966. The single cost a staggering $15,000 to make when a tenth of that sum was usually spent on making records, making it the most expensive ever at that time. The band had 4 US #1s, but this was their only UK chart topper.

4. 1981 #1 both sides of the Atlantic and has probably the most enduring synth riff in the history of electronic music. Two members of a band from the same UK city, who had a chart topping hit with their new band, received 1% of the royalties - probably a tidy sum given how often this song gets played. This is my era but I am unsure I would go Don't You Want Me - Human League the other band being Heaven 17 though I am not convinced they had a chart topper!

5. US #1 in 1968 didn't make the top ten in the UK until 1991, this six and half minute epic was written by the band's keyboardist who indulged himself with long instrumental passages, but the star performer was always the lead singer.
Not sure which song but I am sure 1991 was the the year of The Doors film so it must be one of theirs 6 and a half minutes I will guess at Riders on the Storm

 

I'm guessing....

3. Beach Boys - Good Vibrations

 

4. Soft Cell - Tainted Love

 

5. The Doors - Light My Fire

 

I was close then! Just looked on media player and the versions I have here of Light My Fire and Riders on The Storm are 7:05 & 7:00 respectively!

Thats not to say that there aren't 6:30 versions out there