Jetset, The

Formed in 1979 by teenage friends Paul Bevoir and Melvyn J Taub, The Jetset developed their style under the guidance of former Secret Affair drummer, Paul Bultitude. After recording a few demos with Bultitude, Bevoir and Taub pulled together a makeshift band for promotional photos, enlisting keyboardist Angus Nanan and bassist Paul Bonin.

In 1983 Bultitude signed the band to his Dance Network label and released their debut, The Best of the Jetset EP.

The Jetset presented themselves as being as famous as their heroes The Monkees and their marketing sowed the seeds of the Jetset myth before they were even well known.

Their eye-catching EP sleeve included the band clowning around in stills “from their forthcoming TV series”, hanging out of the Monkees-influenced ‘Jetsetmobile’ – a Ford Capri with customised ‘JETSET’ number plates.

With an inspired promotional push, the EP was sent to the press accompanied by merchandise including Jetset posters, badges, stickers, key rings and bubblegum cards.

The group became associated with the British Mod Revival and Mod fanzines helped to stoke the fires of Jetsetmania.

Soon a Jetset cartoon strip appeared in Shadows & Reflections, the underground magazine of long-time Jetset champion Chris Hunt.

Their first full-length album – There Goes the Neighborhood – was released in 1985. It was well reviewed in the UK music press and was followed by Go Bananas, an album which featured commercials for Jetset products between songs.

Bevoir retired from touring to concentrate on his songwriting and together with Bultitude created the lushly orchestrated Vaudeville Park. The Jetset released their final album, Five, shortly before their acrimonious demise in 1988.

Melvyn J Taub died of pancreatic cancer in September 2024, aged 64.

Melvyn J Taub
Vocals
Paul Bevoir
Guitar
Paul Bonin
Bass
Angus Nanan
Keyboards
Mickey Dias
Drums