Radio Stars was formed by Martin Gordon (ex-Sparks), vocalist Andy Ellison (ex-John’s Children) and Ian MacLeod in 1977.
The band signed to Chiswick Records and released their debut single, Dirty Pictures, in April 1977, which came in at #26 in the NME‘s end-of-year critics’ chart (“I get my kicks up in the attic with a Kodak Instamatic”).
In October 1977 the band briefly entered the UK Top 40 with Nervous Wreck, which peaked at #39 – and deserves extra credit for containing the word ‘electroencephalograph’ in a line of the chorus . . .
Their debut album, Songs for Swinging Lovers, appeared in December 1977, featuring stinging guitars and a rampant rhythm section on songs like Beast of Barnsley, Arthur Is Dead Boring (Let’s Rot) and Macaroni ‘n’ Mice.
The band toured with Eddie & The Hot Rods and Squeeze and played the Reading Festival in 1978 before releasing their second LP, Holiday Album. The album included their live favourite (I’ve Got Dem Old) Sex in Chains Blues, about the exploits of the so-called ‘Mormon kidnapper’ Joyce McKinney.
Holiday Album flopped, effectively ending the band, although Andy Ellison attempted to revive Radio Stars in the 1980s and 1990s.
Andy Ellison
Vocals Ian MacLeod
Guitar, vocals Martin Gordon
Bass, keyboards Steve Parry
Drums Chris Townson
Drums
Video
You May Also Like
Dio Formed after Ronnie James Dio's departure from Black Sabbath, Dio's first self-titled outfit featured the considerable…
AC/DC AC/DC was formed in Sydney, Australia, by ex-patriot Scotsmen Malcolm and Angus Young (brothers of George…
Coloured Balls The Coloured Balls formed in Brisbane (Australia) following the breakup of The Purple Hearts, of which…
Radio Luxembourg Radio Luxembourg ("Your Station of the Stars") began broadcasting in 1933 and was the earliest commercial…
Johnny Nash Born on 19 August 1940, in Houston, Texas, John Lester Nash, Jr was one of the…
Ferrets, The The Ferrets formed in Sydney (Australia) early in 1975 but relocated to Melbourne almost immediately. Billy…
Redbone Brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas formed Redbone in Los Angeles in 1969. The name is a Louisiana…
King Crimson Formed in 1969 and led by charismatic guitarist Robert Fripp, King Crimson quickly earned an underground…
