Roxy Music

Roxy Music are an English art rock group founded in the early 1970s by art school graduate Bryan Ferry (vocals and keyboards). The band existed from 1971 through 1983, then reunited for a concert tour in 2001, and has announced that they will be recording a new album in 2005-2006.

The group's name was partly an homage to the titles of old cinemas and dance halls, and partly a pun on the word 'rock.' (Ferry first named the band Roxy, but learning of an American band with the same name prompted the alteration of the name.) The juxtaposition of nostalgic and contemporary (or futuristic) themes was a distinctive feature of the band, particularly in their earliest incarnation. The group is noted for their combination of idiosyncratic experimentation and sophisticated wit, evident in their literate lyrics, restrained instrumental virtuosity, and highly developed visual presentation (mainly directed by Ferry) which expropriated imagery from the realms of high fashion, kitsch, and commercial photography.

Roxy Music was a significant influence on the early British punk movement, as well as providing a model for many "New Wave" acts and the subsequent New Romantic and experimental electronic groups of the early 1980s. Ferry and co-founding member Brian Eno have also had broadly influential solo careers.

History

Roxy Music (1971 – 1983)

In the winter of 1970/1971, ceramics teacher Bryan Ferry advertised for a keyboard player to collaborate with him and Graham Simpson, a bass player he knew from his art college band, "The Gas Board." Andy MacKay replied to the advertisement, not as a keyboard player but as a saxophonist and oboist; however, he did possess a VCS3 synthesiser. Andy met Brian Eno during university days, as both were interested in avant-garde and electronic music. It was some time later that they met again, and as Brian could play a synthesizer and owned a Revox reel-to-reel tape machine, Andy convinced him to join the fledgling band as a technical advisor. It wasn't long before Eno was a performing member of the group. After Dexter Lloyd, a classically-trained timpanist, left the fledgling band, the group placed an ad seeking a 'wonder drummer'. Drummer Paul Thompson joined the line-up in June 1971. Soon after that guitarist Phil Manzanera, replacing former Nice guitarist Davy O'List, made them a six-piece. After recording of the band's first album, Simpson was fired and replaced with Rik Kenton.

Their debut single "Virginia Plain", which reached #4 in the British charts, was typical of the band's blend of highly literate lyrics and musical inventiveness, combined with a powerhouse glam rock backbone. During that decade, they emerged as one of the foremost bands of the time, popular throughout the UK and Europe. In the US, the band was esteemed by critics and an ardent cult following, but they remained little known among the general public.

Eno left after the group's second album – For Your Pleasure – amidst increasing differences with Ferry over the direction and running of the group. He was replaced on keyboards by Eddie Jobson, late of progressive rockers Curved Air, who also played electric violin. Rik Kenton had departed the band soon after "Virginia Plain"; John Porter replaced him as bassist on For Your Pleasure, and John Gustafson toured with the band and played bass on the next three albums. However none of these musicians was ever considered a permanent member of the band and they chose to have session musicians to fill on the bass duties.

Although some fans lamented the loss of the experimental attitude that Eno had brought to the band, the classically-trained Jobson, fresh out of music school, was a far more accomplished musician. His arrival reinvigorated the group, with his keyboard expertise freeing Ferry from his former keyboard duties on stage, as well as lending greater refinement to the group's studio recordings, and his dazzling violin skills added an exciting new dimension to their sound, as showcased on their song "Out of the Blue". Eno himself later acknowledged the quality of the two albums that followed his departure, Stranded (1973) and Country Life (1974) and they are widely regarded as being among the most original and consistent British rock albums of the period.

The other key members of the band – the classically-trained Mackay, the experienced progressive rock guitarist Manzanera and the hard-pounding drummer nicknamed "The Great Paul Thompson" – are reported to have shared some of Eno's concerns about Ferry's dominance of the band, but they elected to remain in the group. Gradually, their songwriting and musicianship became more integral to the band's sound, although all but one of Roxy's singles were written either wholly or jointly by Ferry. The exception was their only #1 hit, Jealous Guy, which they recorded as a tribute to John Lennon shortly after his death.

Manzanera and Mackay undertook solo projects, both of them with Thompson drumming, and Manzanera also played guitar on many of Eno's solo and collaborative recordings of the mid-70s. Phil and Andy, along with Thompson and Jobson, also took part in various of Ferry's solo recordings (some of which included reworkings of old Roxy material) and Manzanera regularly played with Ferry on his solo tours.

Ferry's solo career began in 1973, while still very much a member of the band, and his solo albums (mostly containing ironic cover versions of pop standards) alternated with Roxy's releases. Ferry's solo debut These Foolish Things was made up of cover versions of songs from earlier eras, which were chosen for their influence on his musical development. The same year, David Bowie's Pin Ups utilised a similar formula, also employed earlier in Ringo Starr's Sentimental Journey.

Their fifth album, Siren, contained their only US hit, "Love is the Drug" (Ferry said the song came to him while kicking the leaves in a walk through Hyde Park). By this time Ferry was involved in a relationship with American supermodel Jerry Hall (who later married Mick Jagger). Hall had a major impact on the group's music and image, being the subject of the influential Roxy song "Prairie Rose" (from Country Life) as well as featuring both on the cover of Siren and in the promotional video for Ferry's 1976 solo hit "Let's Stick Together".

Following the concert tours in support of Siren in 1976, Roxy Music temporarily disbanded. During this time Ferry released two solo records on which Manzanera and Thompson performed, and Manzanera reunited with Eno on the one-off 801 Live album.

Roxy Music reunited in 1978 to record a new album, Manifesto, but with a reshuffled line-up. Jobson and Gustafson were not present (reportedly they were not contacted for the reunion). After the tour and prior to the recording of the next one, Flesh + Blood, Thompson left the band because he broke his thumb during a motorcycle incident (and soon after that he left permanently). The three remaining core members were supplemented by a variety of session players over the next few years, including Andy Newmark, Neil Hubbard and Alan Spenner.

The changed line-up was reflected in a distinct change in Roxy's music, with the jagged and unpredictable elements of the group's sound giving way to smooth, brooding musical arrangements, culminating in the sombre and carefully-sculpted soundscapes of their eighth and final album Avalon in 1982. The trio toured extensively till 1983, when Bryan Ferry dissolved the band and devoted himself full time to a solo career.

Solo work (1983 – present)

After their last album and tour, Mackay, Manzanera, and Ferry all released solo albums. Ferry's solo career has continued uninterrupted; Newmark participated on all of Ferry's subsequent records and tours. Thompson worked as a session drummer for various artists; his post-Roxy session work included such diverse acts as a punk band The Angelic Upstarts on their 1983 album Reason Why and blues-rocker Gary Moore on his Emerald Aisles Live In Ireland tour in 1985, which was released on video. In 1990-91, Thompson replaced Harry Rushakoff as the drummer in Concrete Blonde, during which time they had their biggest hit with the single "Joey."

In 1984, Manzanera and Mackay teamed with vocalist James Wraith to form The Explorers. Signed to Virgin, the band released a self-titled album and a number of singles ("Venus de Milo" and "Falling for Nightlife", the latter of which was not included on the LP version), but none of their material charted in England. Virgin dropped the band while in the studio recording a second album. This eventually emerged in 1990 under the name Manzanera / Mackay. In 1987, Manzanera teamed with former Roxy and King Crimson bassist John Wetton for the LP Wetton/Manzanera.

Reunion and new album (2001 – present)

Ferry, Manzanera, Mackay, and Thompson re-formed in 2001 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band and toured extensively for a couple of years. Absent was Brian Eno, who criticized the motives of the band's reunion. "I just don't like the idea," Eno explained, "It leaves a bad taste."http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1185763.stm Later Eno remarked that his comment had been taken out of context. Manzanera and Thompson also recorded and toured with Ferry on his 2002 album Frantic.

Roxy Music also returned to the stage for a live performance at the 2005 Isle of Wight Festival on Saturday 11 June, 2005, their first UK concert since the 2001-2002 world tour. On 02 July, 2005, Roxy Music played Jealous Guy and Love is the Drug at the Berlin contribution to Live8. The band (without Eno) are playing live again in 2006.

In March 2005 it was announced on Phil Manzanera's official site that the band, including Brian Eno, had decided to record an album of new material, their first since Avalon in 1982. The project would mark the first time Eno worked with Roxy Music since 1973's For Your Pleasure. After a number of denials that he would be involved with any Roxy Music reunion, on 19 May 2006 Eno revealed that he had contributed two songs to the new album as well as playing keyboards on other tracks; he did, however rule out touring with the band. The record also will be the first since Manifesto, where original drummer Paul Thompson is performing.

In June 22 Manzanera confirmed that the album will be ready for 2007 release. The record will mark the band's first album since Avalon 25 years ago. Speaking from London to Matt Slys and Todd Richards on the Roxy Music Marathon on 88.3FM The Sting radio show, the guitarist confirmed that an 'enormous' amount of work had been done in the studio and that the band were 'about to do a record contract'. Manzanera also stated that in the past 15 months 'about 17 tracks' have been recorded, stating: "I'm not saying they're all good, but some of them are fantastic." He also said that the band are working with more collaborative approach than before, saying that all of them put what they have got "and let's put it into the melting pot and see what we can make of it."

Band members

Core members

Bryan Ferry – vocals, harmonica, keyboards (1971-1983; 2001-)
Phil Manzanera – guitar (1972-1983; 2001-)
Andy Mackay – saxophone and oboe (1971-1983; 2001-)
Paul Thompson – drums (1971-1980; 2001-)

Other members

Brian Eno– synthesizer and "treatments" (1971–1973)
Eddie Jobson – synthesizer and violin (1973–1976)
John Gustafson – bass (1973–1976)
John Wetton – bass (1976–1977)
Alan Spenner – bass (1978–1983)
Graham Simpson – bass (1971–72)
Rik Kenton – bass (1972–73)
John Porter – bass (1973)
Paul Carrack – keyboards (1978–1980)
Gary Tibbs – bass (1978–1980)
Andy Newmark – drums (1980–1983)
Colin Good – keyboards (2001–present)
Roger Bunn – guitar (1971)
David O'List – guitar (1971-72)
Dexter Lloyd – drums (1971)

Discography

Studio albums

Roxy Music (1972)
For Your Pleasure (1973)
Stranded (1973)
Country Life (1974)
Siren (1975)
Manifesto (1979)
Flesh and Blood (1980)
Avalon (1982)

Discography (Extended)

Date ALBUMS / Singles

1972 August Virginia Plain
1973 March Pyjamarama
1973 March FOR YOUR PLEASURE
1973 July Do The Strand
1973 November Street Life
1973 November STRANDED
1974 October All I Want Is You
1974 November COUNTRY LIFE
1974 November The Thrill Of It All
1975 September Love Is The Drug
1975 October SIREN
1975 December Both Ends Burning
1976 July VIVA! ROXY MUSIC
1977 November GREATEST HITS
1979 February Trash
1979 March MANIFESTO
1979 April Dance Away
1979 August Angel Eyes
1980 May Over You
1980 May FLESH + BLOOD
1980 July Oh Yeah (On The Radio)
1980 November Same Old Scene
1980 December In The Midnight Hour
1981 February Jealous Guy
1981 December BOXED SET
1982 April More Than This
1982 May AVALON
1982 June Avalon
1982 September Take A Chance With Me
1983 March THE HIGH ROAD (EP)
1983 Like A Hurricane
1983 November THE ATLANTIC YEARS 1973-1980
1986 April STREET LIFE * 20 GREAT HITS
1988 November THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION
1989 December THE EARLY YEARS
1989 December THE LATER YEARS
1990 October HEART STILL BEATING
1990 October Love Is The Drug (live)
1994 October THE COMPACT COLLECTION
1995 October MORE THAN THIS - THE BEST OF BRYAN FERRY & ROXY MUSIC
1995 November THE THRILL OF IT ALL
1996 April Love Is The Drug (mix)
1998 June 14 CONCERT CLASSICS (a.k.a. CONCERTO, LADYTRON)
2000 April VALENTINE
2000 October 17 THE EARLY YEARS
2001 February 26 VINTAGE
2001 July 3 THE BEST OF ROXY MUSIC
2002 May 15 REFLECTION
2003 June 3 LIVE
2005 April 18 THE COLLECTION
2005 April 19 INSIDE ROXY MUSIC 1972-1974

Live recordings

Viva! Roxy Music (1976)
The High Road (1983)
Heart Still Beating (1990)
Concert Classics (1998)
Concerto (2001)

Compilations

Roxy Music Greatest Hits (1977)
The First Seven Albums (1981, box set)
The Atlantic Years (1983)
Street Life 20 Great Hits (1986)
The Ultimate Collection (1988)
More Than This (1995)
The Thrill of It All (1995, box set)
The Early Years (2000)
Slave To Love (2000)
The Best of Roxy Music (2001)

References

Bracewell, Michael Roxy Music: Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno, Art, Ideas, and Fashion (Da Capo Press, 2005) ISBN 0306814005
Buckley, David The Thrill Of It All: The Story of Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music (André Deutsch, 2004) ISBN 0233051139

Notes

External links

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