Paddy McAloon

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Paddy McAloon
Birth namePatrick Joseph McAloon
Born (1957-06-07) 7 June 1957 (age 66)
County Durham, England
Genres Pop, new wave
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, various instruments
Website sproutology.co.uk

Patrick Joseph McAloon (born 7 June 1957) [1] is an English singer-songwriter and a founder of the band Prefab Sprout.

Contents

Early life

McAloon was born and grew up in Witton Gilbert in County Durham, England. [2] [3] He was trained to be a Catholic priest before deciding on a career in music. [4]

Career

Prefab Sprout enjoyed considerable success in the 1980s and early 1990s. They peaked commercially with "The King of Rock 'N' Roll", which was a top ten single in the UK Singles Chart. [5]

In a 1991 interview with Rolling Stone during the Jordan: The Comeback world tour, McAloon said he had never seen a positive royalty cheque for his work with Prefab Sprout

"We lost money touring England. We’ll lose money touring Europe. And I nearly gave myself a heart attack making the record. But when we finished it, I was thrilled to bits because we’d done it. This is the biggie. And I thought, if I never get to make a record again, at least this is something I can be proud of." [6]

Songs written by McAloon have also been recorded by Kylie Minogue ("If You Don't Love Me"), [7] Wendy Matthews ("God Watch Over You" and "Ride"), [8] Sondre Lerche ("Nightingales" – the song appeared in "From Langley Park to Memphis" and Lerche sang it with the Faces Down Quartet as a tribute to Prefab Sprout), [9] Danny Seward ("Home (Where The Heart Is)"), [10] Momus ("Green Isaac Pt. 2"), [11] and various songs for Jimmy Nail. "God Watch Over You" has also been covered by Frances Ruffelle. [12]

"When Love Breaks Down" has been covered by The Zombies, [13] Lisa Stansfield, [14] and Snow Patrol. [15] In 2008, the covers album Independents Day 08 included a version of "Bonny" performed by McAloon's label-mate Tom Smith of Editors. [16]

McAloon released the spoken word/instrumental album I Trawl the Megahertz (UK No. 54), under his own name, in 2003 on the EMI subsidiary company Liberty Records. [17] After losing his eyesight--now somewhat restored--he listened to CB radio and call-in talk shows and found inspiration for the album. [4] In 2019, it was rereleased as a Prefab Sprout album. [18]

In a 2013 interview, McAloon stated:

That record [I Trawl The Megahertz] was so important to me. I was disappointed—extremely—that the Guardian never even reviewed it. That stayed with me. I kept waiting week after week: "Come on, if you're thinking they don't make records like they used to, if you're looking for personal vision, something unusual—I'm your guy!" But it never came. [19]

In 2006, Prefab Sprout's Steve McQueen album was remastered by Thomas Dolby, and was then released in 2007 as a double-CD package. The second CD featured acoustic versions of songs from the original album that were recorded in 2006. [20]

On 7 September 2009, Prefab Sprout released the album Let's Change the World with Music , based on a demo recording from 1992. [19]

A Prefab Sprout album entitled Crimson/Red was released by Icebreaker Records in October 2013. [21] McAloon is responsible for playing all of the instruments on the album. [19]

On 3 March 2017, McAloon, under the Prefab Sprout name, was shown singing a new song, "America", on the Instagram and YouTube channels of Keith Armstrong, his manager and the former boss of Kitchenware Records. Seeming to be a protest song about the administration of Donald Trump, and released with no accompanying publicity, the song was the subject of discussion and speculation. [22] [23] [24] [25]

Personal life

As of September 2013, McAloon resides in his native County Durham with his wife and three daughters. [26] He suffers from a detached retina and tinnitus, [19] which significantly limited his ability to work in the studio. McAloon dedicated Crimson/Red to "my wife and daughters", "the women with whom I'm lucky enough to share my life". [27]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prefab Sprout</span> English pop band

Prefab Sprout are an English pop band from Witton Gilbert, County Durham who rose to fame during the 1980s. Formed in 1978 by brothers Paddy and Martin McAloon and joined by vocalist, guitarist and keyboard player Wendy Smith in 1982, they released their debut album Swoon to critical acclaim in 1984. Their subsequent albums, including 1985's Steve McQueen and 1990's Jordan: The Comeback, have been described by Paul Lester of The Guardian as "some of the most beautiful and intelligent records of their era". Frontman Paddy McAloon is regarded as one of the great songwriters of his time and the band have been credited with producing some of the "most beloved" pop music of the 1980s and 1990s.

<i>Jordan: The Comeback</i> 1990 studio album by Prefab Sprout

Jordan: The Comeback is the fifth studio album by English pop band Prefab Sprout, released by Kitchenware Records and CBS on 28 August 1990. A 19-track album encompassing a variety of musical styles and themes, Jordan has been considered by the band and critics alike to be Prefab Sprout's most ambitious project. The album was produced by Thomas Dolby, who had helmed the band's acclaimed 1985 album Steve McQueen but had been unable to commit to the entirety of its 1988 follow-up From Langley Park to Memphis.

<i>Protest Songs</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Prefab Sprout

Protest Songs is the fourth studio album by English pop band Prefab Sprout. Recorded quickly and self-produced, the album features a minimal production style at odds with most of the band's work. Originally planned to be released in December 1985 as a quickfire follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed second album Steve McQueen, it was put on hold for commercial reasons and the band moved on to record 1988's From Langley Park to Memphis. The album was finally released by Kitchenware Records and CBS on 19 June 1989. Despite the band undertaking no promotional activities, the album peaked at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Steve McQueen</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Prefab Sprout

Steve McQueen is the second studio album by English pop band Prefab Sprout, released in June 1985 by Kitchenware Records. The album was released by CBS in the United States as Two Wheels Good in anticipation of legal conflict with the estate of American actor Steve McQueen. The album cover references Steve McQueen's lifelong passion for Triumph motorcycles and the 1963 film The Great Escape.

<i>From Langley Park to Memphis</i> 1988 studio album by Prefab Sprout

From Langley Park to Memphis is the third studio album by English pop band Prefab Sprout. It was released by Kitchenware Records on 14 March 1988. It peaked at number five on the UK Albums Chart, the highest position for any studio album released by the band. Recorded in Newcastle, London and Los Angeles, it has a more polished and commercial sound than their earlier releases, and features several guest stars including Stevie Wonder and Pete Townshend. The album's simpler songs, big productions and straight-forward cover photo reflect frontman Paddy McAloon's wish for it to be a more universal work than their more cerebral earlier work.

<i>Swoon</i> (Prefab Sprout album) 1984 studio album by Prefab Sprout

Swoon is the debut studio album by the English pop band Prefab Sprout, released in March 1984 by Kitchenware Records. Written over a period of seven years, the record was produced with David Brewis on a low budget. The group mostly chose to avoid recording the material they had played live over the years, preferring to make a more intricate record of mostly recent material.

<i>I Trawl the Megahertz</i> 2003 studio album by Paddy McAloon

I Trawl the Megahertz is an album originally released as a Paddy McAloon solo album in May 2003 on Liberty Records. It was later reissued in February 2019 on Sony Music under the Prefab Sprout name, as originally intended, with new artwork. McAloon was rendered nearly blind for a period in 1999 due to detached retinas; housebound, he found comfort in listening to shortwave radio transmissions like chat shows, phone-in programs and documentaries. He recorded conversations from these programs, fragmented them, and introduced new words and lines from other sources, generating source material for the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The King of Rock 'n' Roll</span> 1988 single by Prefab Sprout

"The King of Rock 'n' Roll" is a single by English pop band Prefab Sprout, released by Kitchenware Records in March 1988. It was the second single taken from their album of that year, From Langley Park to Memphis. It remains the band's biggest success in their native UK, reaching number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, where it spent 11 weeks.

The Gunman and Other Stories is the seventh studio album by the English pop band Prefab Sprout. Released in June 2001, the album was the band's only release for the EMI Liberty label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cars and Girls</span> 1988 single by Prefab Sprout

"Cars and Girls" is a single by English pop band Prefab Sprout, released by Kitchenware Records in February 1988. It was the first single taken from their album of that year, From Langley Park to Memphis. The single failed to reach the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, reaching a peak of number 44 over five weeks on the chart. It has nevertheless become one of Prefab Sprout's most popular songs.

<i>Lets Change the World with Music</i> 2009 studio album by Prefab Sprout

Let's Change the World with Music is the ninth studio album by the English pop group Prefab Sprout. It was released on 7 September 2009 by Kitchenware Records. It was the band's first album of new material since 2001's The Gunman and Other Stories and marked a return to Sony Music, Kitchenware's parent label. The album reached No. 39 in the UK Albums Chart at the end of the week of its release. Although no singles were technically released, "Let There Be Music" was sent to radio stations, and "Sweet Gospel Music" was due to be a one-track digital release to highlight the album, but received no airplay and therefore was pulled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Love Breaks Down</span> 1984 single by Prefab Sprout

"When Love Breaks Down" is a single by English pop band Prefab Sprout, first released by Kitchenware Records in October 1984. It was the first single taken from their album of the following year, Steve McQueen. On its first release, the single did not chart in the UK Singles Chart, but it was reissued in 1985, reaching No. 25. The song was also the group's first chart appearance in the United States, peaking at No. 42 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart in October 1985.

<i>Crimson/Red</i> 2013 studio album by Prefab Sprout

Crimson/Red is the tenth studio album by English pop band Prefab Sprout, although for this album "Prefab Sprout" consists entirely of singer/songwriter Paddy McAloon, who writes, sings and plays every note on the album. Crimson/Red was released in the United Kingdom by Icebreaker Records and Kitchenware Records on 7 October 2013. The album title is a reference to artist Mark Rothko.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Prisoner of the Past</span> 1997 single by Prefab Sprout

"A Prisoner of the Past" is a single by English pop band Prefab Sprout, released by Kitchenware Records on 21 April 1997. It was the lead single from Andromeda Heights, the band's first studio album in seven years. Frontman Paddy McAloon wrote the song in 1989, inspired by the work of Phil Spector. Upon release, the song received critical acclaim and reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart. It remains the band's final top 40 hit to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sound of Crying</span> 1992 single by Prefab Sprout

"The Sound of Crying" is a single by English pop band Prefab Sprout, released by Kitchenware Records in June 1992. It was one of two new songs included on their compilation album A Life of Surprises: The Best of Prefab Sprout. It was one of the band's biggest hits, reaching No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart.

Wendy Smith is an English musician. She was a singer and guitarist in the band Prefab Sprout from 1983 until 2001. In 2015, she became the director of creative learning at The Sage in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lions in My Own Garden (Exit Someone)</span> 1982 single by Prefab Sprout

"Lions in My Own Garden (Exit Someone)", rendered "Lions in My Own Garden: Exit Someone" on its initial release, is the first single by English pop band Prefab Sprout. It was first released on the band's own Candle Records in 1982, and reissued in 1983 after the band were signed by Kitchenware Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Devil Has All the Best Tunes</span> 1983 single by Prefab Sprout

"The Devil Has All the Best Tunes" is the second single by English pop band Prefab Sprout. It was their first release to feature Wendy Smith and their first release after signing with Kitchenware Records. As of 2022, neither side of the single has been released on CD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodbye Lucille Number 1</span> 1986 song by Prefab Sprout

"Goodbye Lucille #1" is a song by English pop band Prefab Sprout, released as a single under the title "Johnny Johnny" by Kitchenware Records in January 1986. It was the final single taken from their album Steve McQueen. The single failed to reach the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, reaching a peak of number 64 over three weeks on the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Appetite (Prefab Sprout song)</span> 1985 single by Prefab Sprout

"Appetite" is a song by English pop band Prefab Sprout from their album Steve McQueen. Released as the album's third single by Kitchenware Records in August 1985, it reached number 92 on the UK Singles Chart. Despite its disappointing chart performance, the song has been singled out as one of the highlights of Steve McQueen.

References

  1. ↑ "Happy Birthday". Mirror.co.uk. 6 June 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  2. ↑ Clayton-Lea, Tony (16 September 2017). "A book tailor-made for the Prefab Sprout fanatic". The Irish Times . Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  3. ↑ Simpson, Dave (30 June 2020). "Paddy McAloon and Thomas Dolby: how we made Prefab Sprout's Steve McQueen". The Guardian . Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Let's Change The World With Music worth the long wait". Johncodyonline.com. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  5. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 433. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  6. ↑ "Paddy McAloon: The Last Pop Genius". Rolling Stone. 7 March 1991.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  7. ↑ "Kylie Minogue - Confide in Me Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic . Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "Wendy Matthews Discography". Users.bart.nl. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  9. ↑ "Nightingales Lyrics". Lyricsfreak.com. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "Where My Heart Is". AllMusic . Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  11. ↑ "Momus Bibliotek CD". Discogs.com. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Frances Reffelle God Watches Over You". Lyricsmania.com. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "When Love Breaks Down – The Zombies". YouTube. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  14. ↑ "Lisa Stansfield - The Moment Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic . Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  15. ↑ "Friday Night Boys Paddy McAloon". Fridaynightboys300.blogspot.ca. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  16. ↑ "Independents Day 08". AllMusic . Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  17. ↑ "Albums by Paddy McAloon: Discography, songs, biography, and listening guide". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  18. ↑ "Prefab Sprout: I Trawl the Megahertz". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Paul Lester (5 September 2013). "Paddy McAloon: 'I'll do without an audience to make the music I want'". The Guardian . Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  20. ↑ "Prefab Sprout Steve McQueen Review". BBC News. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  21. ↑ Jamie McGarry (1 August 2013). "01/08/2013". Prefab Sprout – The Unofficial Homepage. Jamie McGarry. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  22. ↑ Paphides, Pete (6 March 2017). "Why Prefab Sprout's return with America is a whim and a wonder". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  23. ↑ "Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout Posts New National Anthem for Trump-Troubled USA – Stereo Embers Magazine". Stereo Embers Magazine. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  24. ↑ "Prefab-Sprout-Sänger Paddy McAloon: Pro-Einwanderungssong "America"". Rolling Stone (in German). 7 March 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  25. ↑ "'Do what's right': Prefab Sprout debuts new pro-immigration song 'America'". Slicing Up Eyeballs . 6 March 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  26. ↑ "Paddy McAloon the Return of the Prefab Sprouts Elusive Genius" . The Independent . Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  27. ↑ Liner notes Crimson/Red
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