Dire Straits
Squeeze
Squeeze are an English band, with a dedicated following, that rose out of the New Wave scene in the late 70’s. They are well known for hits such as 'Cool for Cats', 'Up the Junction', 'Tempted', and 'Hourglass'.
All their songs are written by band members Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, and with the band forming in 1974, there have been numerous line-up changes, but always revolving around the two writers.
The band first broke up in 1982, reformed in 1985, then disbanded again in 1999 – they have since reformed for tours in the US and UK in 2007 and 2008.
Squeeze’s early career began in Deptford in SE London where the band met after an advert in a South-London sweet shop window - they were part of a vibrant scene including Alternative T.V and Dire Straits. They first named the band 'Captain Trundlow's Sky Company' and 'Skyco', before settling on Squeeze.
The band's second album, Cool for Cats, released in 1979, contained the band's two highest charting UK singles; 'Cool For Cats' and 'Up The Junction' – both reaching No.2 in the charts.
Colourful keyboardist Jools Holland left and band for a solo career in 1980, and subsequent illustrious TV career.
In 2004, the pair worked with music journalist, Jim Drury, on the book 'Squeeze: Song By Song'. They admitted they had become better friends after the break-up of the band than they were at any time they Squeeze was together
In early 2007, the band reformed for a series of shows in support of the re-issue of the band’s back catalogue and a release of a new ‘Best of’ album: 'Essential Squeeze'.
After the success of this comeback, they are looking to continue touring and have confirmed they plan to write new material.
Wendy Gabriel
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
Why Not Check Out:
The Velvet Underground
Tom Jones
The Swinging Blue Jeans
In The Court Of Robert Fripp
Rokpool's Official Merchandise Store
Lonnie Donegan
Lonnie Donegan, born Anthony James Donegan on 29th April 1931, is known as the ‘King of Skiffle’. He is considered the first real British pop superstar. His first track, 'Rock Island Line' attained international fame in 1956 and crossed sales of 3 million copies, giving Donegan his first gold disc and was a Top 10 hit in the UK and the US.
Lonnie launched a somewhat craze, which resulted in the emergence of more than 50,000 skiffle groups in United Kingdom alone. For more than six years every single he released entered the Top 10. He chalked up 24 successive Top 30 hits and was the first British male to score 2 US Top 10s. His next single, 'Diggin’ My Potatoes' was banned by the BBC for its suggestive lyrics but gave Donegan a slight veneer of rebelliousness. His next single, 'Lost John' reached No.2 in the UK charts.
His other successes include, 'Gamblin’ Man', 'Puttin’ On The Style', 'Cumberland Gap' and 'Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On The Bedpost Over Night)', which was one of his 2 US hits. He continued appearing in the charts until 1962 when he succumbed to the arrival of The Beatles and beat music.
He spent a decade as a record producer at Pye Records. 1997 saw Lonegan presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ivor Novello Awards, where he sang with long time fan, Van Morrison.
CLICK HERE FOR EVEN MORE UNIQUE LONNIE DONEGAN VIDEOS
Donegan died in November 2002, aged 71, after suffering a heart attack midway through a UK tour. Dire Straits legend Mark Knopfler released a tribute song to Donegan entitled “Donegan’s Gone”.
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
