Zaine Griff created a minor club-circuit stir in the late seventies and early eighties, emerging less as an androgynous David Bowie imitator but more a divine Lady Stardust, genuinely beautiful, in the Tim Curry Rocky Horror mould. There was some Bowie influence in the songs, but you could have said that of most artists then and since. The set was high quality and Zaine Griff was supported by an excellent band, with well-crafted tunes, catchy Hard Rock in the New Wave style. They (and it was “they” as Zaine Griff fronted what was very much a band) invariably opened with the autobiographical “The Scandinavian” and the set usually featured Griff’s tribute to Lindsay Kemp for whom he’d performed in “Flowers”. Like Bowie, Zaine always delivered a command performance and his gigs were packed. His relative commercial failure is something of a mystery, particularly as he was thoroughly charming and interested as well as interesting.

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His fans on the club circuit adored him, and although surprisingly reserved off stage, he’d happily join them in the bar – “Half a lager thanks Doug”. I suspect there were two problems, and perhaps a third. Zaine Griff was genuinely intelligent, had a wide range of artistic interests, and perhaps lacked the drive to get to the top in rock’n’roll.  Another was that “Ashes And Diamonds” (1979), not a bad album, didn’t really do his live act justice. And perhaps this was the third problem – Zaine Griff was arguably a far greater showman than a musician. Whatever, the live act was superb, driven, raucous, and genuinely mesmeric.

The record when it came, produced by Tony Visconti was a shade too tinselly. The thing is it’s clear from his autobiography that Visconti liked Zaine Griff (as everyone did) but had doubts about Zaine’s voice, and perhaps this was exposed in the studio, but lost in the mix live. Given what Bowie treatments did for his mates Lou Reed and Iggy Pop one is left wondering what Bowie would have made of “Ashes And Diamonds” and he knew Zaine Griff well enough presumably to have realized that Zaine Griff was no Bowie imitator. Anyway, history should mark Zaine down as one of music’s beautiful people, and if you want a little rock’n’roll curio he plays bass on the “Heathen” (2002) David Bowie bonus track “Panic In Detroit”. It was a mark of Zaine’s courtesy that when I wrote a fan letter congratulating him on the release of “Ashes And Diamonds”, I received a personal handwritten thank you note by return. Zaine disappeared back to New Zealand (to run clubs, according to the internet) - goodness knows what they make of him there - a lovely man who missed far greater success by a whisker.

Albums:

With The Human Instinct:
The Hustler (Zodiac, 1974)
Peg Leg (recorded 1975, released 2002)
With Screemer:
"Interplanetary Twist" (Bell, 1976)
"In The City" (Arista, August 1977)

As solo artist:
"Tonight" - single (Automatic, February 1980)
"Ashes and Diamonds" - single (Automatic, May 1980)
"Run" - single (Automatic, August 1980)
Ashes and Diamonds - album (Automatic, October 1980)
"Figvres" - single (Polydor, July 1982)
"Flowers" - single (Polydor, September 1982)
Figvres - album (Polydor, October 1982)
"Swing" - single (Polydor, October 1983)

With Helden (as guest vocalist):
"Holding On" - single (1983)
'Spies' - album (unreleased)
With Yukihiro Takahashi:
"This Strange Obsession" on What? Me Worry? album

With Gary Numan:
"The Secret" on the album, Berserker (1984)

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

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The British synthpop band The Human League is fronted by composer, singer, songwriter and producer Philip Oakey and had their first success in 1981 with 'Sound of the Crowd'. In October 1981 they released the album 'Dare' which reached number 1 in the UK album charts and went double platinum. The year ended with their UK/US number 1 hit 'Don't You Want Me' selling more than 2 million copies.

The rest of the 80s saw the band have peaks and dips. Their 1984 album 'Hysteria' underachieved before 1986 saw them release 'Crash' from which the single 'Human' topped the charts. In 1992 the band's contract was cancelled by Virgin causing Oakey to seek counselling for depression and band member Susan Ann Sulley to have a breakdown. Thanks to the efforts of band member Joanne Catherall 1993 saw the release of gold selling album "Octopus". The Human League still tour across the globe.

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Philip Oakey was seen as a fashion icon by many and his flamboyant style included make-up, high heels, diamante earrings and androgynous clothes.

Human League are touring again.

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.

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Rare, un-edited, unheard interview with Phil Oakley

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