Mike Nolan (singer)

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Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan - Bucks Fizz.jpg
Nolan in 1991
Background information
Birth nameMichael Mary Nolan [1]
Born (1954-12-07) 7 December 1954 (age 69)
Dublin, Ireland
Genres Pop
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active1976–present
Labels
Member of The Fizz
Formerly of

Michael Mary Nolan (born 7 December 1954) is an Irish singer who is best known as one of the four original members of the British pop group, Bucks Fizz, who now perform as The Fizz. He was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, but brought up in the UK, where he still resides. As a member of Bucks Fizz, he won the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest and achieved 20 UK top 60 singles between 1981 and 1988, including three number one hits. He was a member of the group until 1996. Since 2004, he has been a member of the group The Fizz, along with other former Bucks Fizz members Cheryl Baker, Shelley Preston (from 2004 to 2009) and Jay Aston (since 2009).

Contents

Early career

After a series of dead end jobs, Mike Nolan began performing in the mid-1970s in pubs around London, playing the guitar and singing mostly old Irish ballads. He was also auditioning for a variety of groups as a vocalist. [2]

It was in 1976 that he successfully auditioned for his first serious band. This group went under the name Brooks and were put together by Freya Miller, who went on to manage Shakin' Stevens. The group was a four-piece boyband, consisting of Nolan, Ben Ellison (who replaced Ricky Gallahad), John Humphreys and Peter Pereira. They were designed to be a 1970s version of The Monkees. Originally the group also included Chris Hamill, who went on to become famous as Limahl. [3] Despite multiple TV appearances, magazine interviews and several singles, the group never had a hit and eventually disbanded three years later. As Nolan later reasoned, the idea of the group was 'dated'.

In 1980, Nolan was contacted by composer/manager Nichola Martin. She had a song entitled "Making Your Mind Up", which had been composed by her boyfriend, Andy Hill, and was intending to enter it for the heats to the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest. The demo was recorded by Nolan and Martin and was accepted as one of the finalists. Martin then worked on finding other singers to build a group around him.

Bucks Fizz

Nolan along with singers Bobby G, Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston became known as Bucks Fizz. In March, they won the 1981 A Song for Europe with "Making Your Mind Up". [4] On Saturday 4 April, they won the Eurovision final itself. [5] The group were catapulted to fame overnight and the song made No.1 in several countries, including the UK.

Over the next few years, Bucks Fizz became one of the biggest pop groups in the UK with several hit singles and albums, including two more No.1 hits, "The Land of Make Believe" and "My Camera Never Lies". [6] Nolan became known as the male pin-up of the group and attracted many fans through his good looks.[ citation needed ] He also gained critical acclaim for his lead vocal on the top ten hit "Now Those Days Are Gone".[ citation needed ]

While on tour on 11 December 1984, Bucks Fizz were involved in a coach crash. The tour bus they were travelling in crashed into a lorry and all four members were injured, but Nolan was most seriously affected when he fell into a coma and at one point was given the Last Rites. [7] Nolan was featured on the front page of many of the tabloids over the next few days with headlines declaring him to be "on the brink of death". [8] After three days, he awoke and spent the next six months recuperating before returning to work with the group, although the effects of the crash still affect him today. [9]

Bucks Fizz scored their last hit in 1988 and Nolan continued with the group (now in an altered line-up) until 1995.

Later Bucks Fizz

In 1997, Nolan was contacted by former Dollar singer David Van Day, with a view to forming a rival version of Bucks Fizz. Nolan agreed and the band began to tour. A year later, they released a single and recorded an album of old Bucks Fizz hits. Former bandmate, G was unhappy with the competition and threatened to sue Van Day, while Bucks Fizz fans were almost universal in their derision of the new recordings. The group continued for a few years until Nolan too became unhappy with the situation and quit in 2001. [10] [11] He also filed a lawsuit against Van Day for unpaid earnings, and although he won the case, he received no payout as Van Day declared himself bankrupt. [12]

In 2004, Nolan along with Baker, G and another later member of Bucks Fizz, Shelley Preston reformed for a one-off series of shows on the 80s revival Here and Now Tour. Following this, Nolan was keen to continue and so along with Baker and Preston, they formed a three-piece version of the group, officially called The Original Bucks Fizz. Nolan continued to perform with original Bucks Fizz members Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston under the name The Fizz. Mike Nolan released his first solo album in early 2013 entitled In My Life. He has since recorded a second album. The Fizz undertook an extensive UK tour throughout 2015. [13]

In 2017, The Fizz released their first album in many years under the new name, The F–Z of Pop , which reached the Top 30 in the UK charts. in 2018, the band released Christmas with the Fizz , followed by Smoke & Mirrors in 2018 and Everything Under the Sun in 2022.

On 5 May 2024, Nolan announced his departure from The Fizz. Mike Nolan told Michael Ball on BBC Radio 2 I have decided to go, to leave. I've been thinking about it for a long long, long time and I just thought: 'this is the time to do it. Nolan also cited long travelling has taken its toll on him over the past 43 years. Nolan will continue to perform with The Fizz until the end of the year, including a gig at London’s O2 Indigo in June. [14]

Other activities

Outside of the group, Nolan is a staunch supporter of the charity 'HeadFirst', which was set up as a result of the 1984 coach crash and specifically Nolan's head injuries. [15] His support for this charity also incorporates "The Mike Nolan Brain Damage Fund", which was co-created by fellow member Baker. Both continue to raise money for the charity. Other activities outside of Bucks Fizz include appearing on stage in a number of Pantomimes.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Making Your Mind Up</span> 1981 song by Bucks Fizz

"Making Your Mind Up" is a song by the British pop group Bucks Fizz with music composed by John Danter and lyrics written by Andy Hill. Released in March 1981, it was Bucks Fizz's debut single, the group having been formed just two months earlier. It represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981, held in Dublin, winning the contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheryl Baker</span> British singer

Rita Maria Stroud, known professionally as Cheryl Baker, is an English singer and television presenter. She was a member of pop group Bucks Fizz, which won the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest and, following legal disputes, now performs under the name the Fizz. Bucks Fizz had 20 singles reach the UK top 60 between 1981 and 1988, including three number one hits with "Making Your Mind Up" (1981), "The Land of Make Believe" (1981) and "My Camera Never Lies" (1982).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bucks Fizz</span> English pop group (1981–2018)

Bucks Fizz were an English pop group, that achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston. They received attention for the dance routine which accompanied the song, in which the male members of the group ripped the female members' outer skirts off to reveal much shorter mini-skirts beneath. The group went on to have a successful career around the world, but the UK remained their biggest market, where they had three No.1 singles with "Making Your Mind Up" (1981), "The Land of Make Believe" (1981) and "My Camera Never Lies" (1982) and became one of the top-selling groups of the 1980s. They also had UK Top 10 hits with "Now Those Days Are Gone" (1982), "If You Can't Stand the Heat" (1982), "When We Were Young" (1983) and "New Beginning " (1986). Bucks Fizz have sold over 50 million records worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Aston</span> Musical artist

Jay Hilda Aston is a British singer and occasional songwriter. She was a member of the British pop group Bucks Fizz from 1981 to 1985. She was the youngest member of the group's original line-up, aged 19 when they won the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest. During Aston's membership, the group had 12 of their 13 UK top 40 hit singles, including three number one hits. Since 2009, she has performed alongside fellow original Bucks Fizz members Cheryl Baker and Mike Nolan. The group used to perform under the name the Original Bucks Fizz but are now known as the Fizz.

Bobby G, also known as Bobby Gee, is a member of pop group Bucks Fizz, best known for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest and for achieving three UK number one hits with "Making Your Mind Up" (1981), "The Land of Make Believe" (1981) and "My Camera Never Lies" (1982).

<i>Bucks Fizz</i> (album) 1981 studio album by Bucks Fizz

Bucks Fizz is the eponymous debut studio album by the British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was released in July 1981, it features their Eurovision-winning song "Making Your Mind Up" as well as the two follow-up singles "Piece of the Action" and "One of Those Nights". The album was produced by Andy Hill and released on RCA Records. Bucks Fizz has been re-released twice on CD, first in 2004 with bonus tracks and as a two-disc edition in 2015.

<i>Are You Ready</i> (Bucks Fizz album) 1982 studio album by Bucks Fizz

Are You Ready is the second studio album by the British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was released on 26 April 1982 and features the UK No. 1 singles "The Land of Make Believe" and "My Camera Never Lies" as well as the follow-up "Now Those Days Are Gone". It was produced by Andy Hill and released by RCA Records. It was the group's most successful album. It went on to be re-released on compact disc three times between 2000 and 2015.

<i>Hand Cut</i> 1983 studio album by Bucks Fizz

Hand Cut is the third studio album by the British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was released on 1 March 1983 and features the UK top 20 hits, "If You Can't Stand the Heat" and "Run for Your Life".

<i>I Hear Talk</i> 1984 studio album by Bucks Fizz

I Hear Talk is the fourth studio album by the pop group Bucks Fizz and their last under contract to RCA Records. Released in November 1984, the album featured the singles "Talking in Your Sleep", "Golden Days" and "I Hear Talk".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Land of Make Believe</span> 1981 song

"The Land of Make Believe" is a 1981 single by British band Bucks Fizz. It reached No.1 in the UK in early 1982 - the second single by the band to do so. The song was produced by Andy Hill with music by Hill and lyrics by ex-King Crimson member Peter Sinfield. Despite the apparent sugar-coated style of the song, Sinfield later claimed it was a subtle attack on Margaret Thatcher and her government's policy at the time. "The Land of Make Believe" became a big hit across Europe in early 1982, topping the charts in Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland as well as the UK. The song was later covered by pop band allSTARS* for a 2002 single release.

Shelley Preston is a singer who is famous for being a former member of the pop group Bucks Fizz, when she replaced Jay Aston in June 1985. Her biggest hit as a member of the band was the 1986 track "New Beginning", which reached the UK top ten. She left the group in 1990. From 2004 to 2009, she was a member of the group The Original Bucks Fizz, along with former Bucks Fizz members Cheryl Baker and Mike Nolan.

Co-Co was a six-piece British band who represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1978, staged at the Palais de Congrès in Paris, France, on 22 April 1978, with the song "The Bad Old Days". The song was written by the song writing team Stephanie de Sykes and Stuart Slater. It was finally placed eleventh of the 20 entries, which at the time was the worst showing ever for a UK entry. It would not be until 1987 that any British song fared worse in Eurovision. The group were originally called Mothers Pride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Hear Talk (song)</span> 1984 single by Bucks Fizz

"I Hear Talk" is a 1984 single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz, written by Andy Hill and Peter Sinfield, the team responsible for the group's biggest hit in the UK, "The Land of Make Believe". It was also produced by Hill. Released as a single in December 1984, it is the title track from the group's fourth studio album. In 2010, the song was chosen as the first single by the Original Bucks Fizz in a live jazz-style reworking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You and Your Heart So Blue</span> 1985 single by Bucks Fizz

"You and Your Heart So Blue" is a single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz. Released in June 1985, the song was written by Andy Hill and Peter Sinfield and was produced by Hill. This single was the last to feature member Jay Aston, who quit the group the same month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Now Those Days Are Gone</span> 1982 single by Bucks Fizz

"Now Those Days Are Gone" is a single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz. It became a UK top ten hit in July 1982 and featured on the group's album Are You Ready. The song was nominated for an Ivor Novello award the following year.

Brooks was a London-based vocal pop group active in the late 1970s. Despite much hype and a number of single releases, the band failed to achieve any chart success. Two of the members however went on to achieve fame independently of each other: Mike Nolan, of Bucks Fizz, and Chris Hamill, a.k.a. Limahl, of Kajagoogoo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fizz</span> British pop music group

The Fizz are a British pop music group formed in 2004 as a spin-off from the original group, Bucks Fizz. The core of the group consists of Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston, who are all former members of Bucks Fizz and performed as OBF initially with Shelley Preston and then replaced by Jay Aston. The group then performed as Formerly of Bucks Fizz, and Bobby McVay later became a member in 2015, making the group a quartet, and then renaming as The Fizz until he left in 2018. To date, the group have released four albums, three of which have charted in the Official UK Albums Chart. Their 2017 album The F-Z of Pop reached No.25, becoming the highest-charting Bucks Fizz related album in 33 years. In 2018, Christmas with the Fizz was released. In 2020, Smoke & Mirrors was released, reaching number 29 in the Official UK Albums Chart and number 6 on the Official Sales Chart. In May 2024, Mike Nolan announced his departure from the group effective later in the year.

<i>The F–Z of Pop</i> 2017 studio album by The Fizz

The F–Z of Pop is a studio album by British pop group The Fizz, released in 2017. It is the second album by the group and the first by the four-member line up of Cheryl Baker, Jay Aston, Mike Nolan and Bobby McVay. Released in September, the album entered the UK albums chart at No.25, the highest chart position achieved by a Bucks Fizz line-up since the "New Beginning " single in 1986, 31 years earlier.

<i>Christmas with the Fizz</i> 2018 studio album by The Fizz

Christmas with the Fizz is a 2018 album by British pop group The Fizz. It is a festive-themed album, the group's first and was released in November 2018. The album features the line-up of Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston, fourth member Bobby McVay having parted with the band earlier in the year. Christmas with the Fizz was produced by experienced hit producer Mike Stock.

<i>Smoke & Mirrors</i> (The Fizz album) 2020 studio album by The Fizz

Smoke & Mirrors is a 2020 studio album by The Fizz, formerly Bucks Fizz. It is the third album by the group under the name The Fizz and the second as a threesome consisting of original members Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston. Released on 6 March 2020, the album entered the overall UK Albums Chart at No. 29, the UK Album Sales Chart at No. 6, the Official Vinyl Albums Chart at No. 5 and the UK Independent Albums Chart at No. 3. Its sales chart position of No. 6 is the highest entry of any previous Bucks Fizz/the Fizz albums.

References

  1. ↑ AMBO (6 November 2017), Cheryl, Mike, Jay & Bobby - The Fizz - Interview with Mike Read - Part 1, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 9 August 2018
  2. ↑ "Bucks Fizz Biographies". Tapatalk.com. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  3. ↑ www.limahl.com|Brooks info Archived 14 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ Nul Points – A Song for Europe Archived 20 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Eurovision Song Contest Archived 28 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ "UK Singles". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  7. ↑ "Bucks Fizz story refuses to go flat". News.bbc.co.uk. 13 May 2005. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  8. ↑ "Evening Times - Google News Archive Search". News.google.co.nz. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  9. ↑ Headfirst – Our Stories – Cheryl Baker’s Story Archived 17 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ Press Room – Press Releases Bucks Fizz – High Court makes its mind up on trade mark injunction application Archived 12 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ "Bucks Fizz name dispute settled". News.bbc.co.uk. 15 August 2002. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  12. ↑ Accountancyage.com – David Van Day bankruptcy Archived 7 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ "Eurovision Talking Shop: Bucks Fizz". News.bbc.co.uk. 7 May 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  14. ↑ "Broadstairs' Mike Nolan, original member of Bucks Fizz and more recently The Fizz, confirms he is quitting". Kent Online - kentonline.co.uk. 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  15. ↑ Headfirst – Background Archived 4 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine
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