Waterfront (band)

Last updated

Waterfront
Origin Cardiff, Wales
Genres Pop [1]
Years active1987–1991
2000–present
Labels Polydor Records, Chordamundo Records
MembersChris Duffy
Phil Cilia

Waterfront are a 1980s Welsh pop duo, comprising Phil Cilia (full name Philip Laurence Cilia[ citation needed ]) and Chris Duffy (full name Christopher James Duffy[ citation needed ]), who had previously been in local Cardiff band The Official Secrets. The band met their manager, John Newman, when recording demos at his recording studio, Music Factory, in Cardiff. Newman remained with them as personal manager throughout their successful years.

Contents

Career

In 1987, Waterfront were signed directly to EMI/SBK Productions by Charles Kopelman and Marty Bandier. The band went on to achieve chart success on both sides of the Atlantic. Waterfront was signed directly to Polydor via David Munns, the now ex-Vice Chairman and CEO of EMI Records.

The band were signed to Polydor Records, and are best known for their 1989 UK No. 17 and U.S. No. 10/U.S. AC No. 1 hit single, "Cry". Waterfront followed up "Cry" in the U.S. with another single, "Nature of Love", which hit No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100. [2]

They released their debut album, Waterfront , in 1989 with eventual sales reaching in excess of 600,000 worldwide.[ citation needed ] They are the first Welsh duo to achieve top 10 single status in the US and were named BMI Songwriters of the Year in 1990[ citation needed ]. "Cry" was awarded as one of the 'most played singles on US radio' at the BMI 50th Anniversary Celebrations in Los Angeles, with the song now approaching one million plays on radio, resulting in membership to BMI's Million-Air Club.[ citation needed ]

In 1992, Chris Duffy released a solo album and single, also on Polydor Records, both entitled "All the Time in the World". The album contained three tracks co-written with Phil Cilia.

In May 2000, Duffy and Cilia reunited as Waterfront at the Kashmir Klub/BMI Showcase in London, England, a concert that was broadcast on the Internet. The group performed tracks like "Valentine's Day", "Cowboy Dreaming" and "Kingdom Comes". [1]

In 2007, the reunited Waterfront secured single of the week for a two-week period on the O2/Napster mobile download portal, with a new acoustic alternative country track, "Valentine's Day".[ citation needed ]

In 2009, the band recorded songs for a new album, samples of which were available on their Myspace page. According to this, "The new material takes Waterfront in a completely new adult contemporary direction – allowing Phil and Chris to draw on their alternative country influences (Ryan Adams, Keith Urban, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Lucinda Williams, Counting Crows and the Wallflowers)." [3]

A new 11-track album entitled Ghosts of the Good was released by Chordamundo Records in November 2011 and features collaborations from several contributing musicians, such as Jamie Crompton (ex-Suzi Quatro band lead guitarist). There are ten new songs and a bonus 'country makeover' version of their 1987 hit single "Cry". The album was released as a digital download and on CD, with the CD version being available exclusively via Tesco Entertainment. [4]

On March 15, 2018, the band announced via their Facebook page that they "now own their complete publishing portfolio including their Billboard top ten hit 'Cry' and the UK top 40 'Nature of Love'." [5]

The album Waterfront was uploaded to all streaming platforms by Universal in January 2020 and the song "Cry" amassed over 100,000 downloads on Spotify within the first 3 months of listing.[ citation needed ]

Discography

Albums

YearAlbumChart positions
UK US
1989 Waterfront [6]
  • Released:
  • 1989 (UK)
  • 837 970-2 (CD)
  • 837 970-1 (LP)
  • 837 970-4 (MC)
  • 1989 (US)
45 [7] 103 [8]
2011Ghosts of the Good
  • Released:
  • 2011 (UK)
  • CMRCD001 (CD)
––

Singles

YearSongPeak chart positionsAlbum
US [9] US AC [10] NZ [11] UK [12]
1989"Nature of Love"7044—63Waterfront
"Broken Arrow"———63
"Cry"1023017
"Move On"—24—76
Releases listed in order of UK Chart peak date

Details relate to the UK releases.

Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simple Minds</span> Scottish rock band

Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977. They have released a string of hit singles, becoming best known internationally for "Don't You " (1985), which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Other commercially successful singles include "Promised You a Miracle" (1982), "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983), "Alive and Kicking" (1985), "Sanctify Yourself" (1986), "Let There Be Love" (1991), "See the Lights" (1991), and the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan of Xymox</span> Dutch rock band

Clan of Xymox, also known as simply Xymox, are a Dutch rock band formed in 1981 best known as pioneers of darkwave music. Clan of Xymox featured a trio of singer-songwriters – Ronny Moorings, Anka Wolbert, and Pieter Nooten – and gained success in the 1980s, releasing their first two albums on 4AD, before releasing their third and fourth albums on Wing Records and scoring a hit single in the United States. The band is still active, continuing to tour and release records with Moorings as the sole remaining original member.

<i>Fresh Cream</i> 1966 studio album by Cream

Fresh Cream is the debut studio album by the British rock band Cream, consisting of bassist Jack Bruce, guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker. The album was released in the UK on 9 December 1966, as the first LP on the Reaction Records label, owned by producer Robert Stigwood. It was released in both mono and stereo versions, at the same time as the release of the single "I Feel Free". The album peaked at No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was released in a slightly different form in January 1967 by Atco Records in the US, also in mono and stereo versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Doves Cry</span> 1984 single by Prince

"When Doves Cry" is a song by American musician Prince, and the lead single from his sixth studio album Purple Rain. According to the DVD commentary of the film Purple Rain (1984), Prince was asked by director Albert Magnoli to write a song to match the theme of a particular segment of the film that involved intermingled parental difficulties and a love affair. The next morning, Prince had composed two songs, one of which was "When Doves Cry". According to Prince's biographer Per Nilsen, the song was inspired by his relationship with Vanity 6 member Susan Moonsie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Right Said Fred</span> English pop act

Right Said Fred are an English pop band formed by brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass in 1989. They are best known for the hit 1991 song "I'm Too Sexy".

<i>Flyleaf</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Flyleaf

Flyleaf is the debut studio album by American rock band Flyleaf. It was released on October 4, 2005, through Octone Records. A re-packaged CD/DVD special edition was released on October 30, 2007, which included additional acoustic tracks and music videos. The album was re-released on January 14, 2008, through Polydor Records in the United Kingdom, which included three additional acoustic tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fields of Gold</span> 1993 single by Sting

"Fields of Gold" is a song written and performed by English musician Sting. It first appeared on his fourth studio album, Ten Summoner's Tales (1993). The song, co-produced by Sting with Hugh Padgham, was released as a single on 7 June 1993 by A&M Records, reaching No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also reached No. 2 in Canada and No. 6 in Iceland. In 1994, it was awarded one of BMI's Pop Songs Awards. The music video for the song was directed by Kevin Godley, featuring Sting as a gold silhouette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">More Than Words Can Say</span> 1990 single by Alias

"More Than Words Can Say" is a song by Canadian rock band Alias. It was released in September 1990 as the second single from their debut eponymous album. The power ballad became a No. 2 hit in the United States and reached No. 1 in Canada for four weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Feel Like Dancin'</span> 2006 single by Scissor Sisters

"I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" is a song by American pop band Scissor Sisters. It was released in August 2006 as the first single from their second album, Ta-Dah (2006). The song was written by Jason Sellards, Scott Hoffman and Elton John, the last of whom provides piano for the song, and was the band's first top-10 single in many countries, peaking at number one in nine of them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flesh for Lulu</span> English rock band

Flesh for Lulu were an English rock band formed in Brixton, London, England, active between 1982 and 1992. They reformed from 2013 to 2015 with a new lineup. Initially part of the post-punk scene, the band's sound shifted to reflect influences from pop music, country and western, rhythm and blues and blues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mama Weer All Crazee Now</span> 1972 single by Slade

"Mama Weer All Crazee Now" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1972 as the lead single from their third studio album Slayed? It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 1 in the UK, giving the band their third number one single, and remained in the charts for ten weeks. In the United States, the song reached No. 76.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coz I Luv You</span> 1971 single by Slade

"Coz I Luv You" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1971 as a non-album single. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart, giving the band their first number one single, and remained in the top 50 for fifteen weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Flame (Cheap Trick song)</span> 1988 single by Cheap Trick

"The Flame" is a power ballad released in 1988 by the American rock band Cheap Trick and the first single from their tenth album Lap of Luxury. It was written by songwriters Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Needed Me</span> 1978 single by Anne Murray

"You Needed Me" is a song written by Randy Goodrum, who describes it as being about "unconditional undeserved love". It was a number-one single in the United States in 1978 for Canadian singer Anne Murray, for which she won a Grammy Award. In 1999, Irish pop band Boyzone recorded a hit cover of the song that reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Worlds Apart</i> (Saga album) 1981 studio album by Saga

Worlds Apart is the fourth studio album by the Canadian neo-prog band Saga and was originally released in 1981. The album was produced by Rupert Hine, and has been released with several different covers. Frontman Michael Sadler stated in the band's video DVD Silhouette (2002) that Hine told him to stop "singing like a choir boy". Sadler's vocal style was noticeably different on Worlds Apart than on the first three Saga albums; he kept that style in successive performances with the band. Hine reportedly had Sadler climb to the roof of the English barn where the band was recording in order to get the proper emotion from Sadler for "On the Loose".

<i>Coco</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Colbie Caillat

Coco is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. The album was released on July 10, 2007 in the United States, debuting at number five on the US Billboard 200, selling 51,000 copies in its first week. It also became Caillat's best-selling album to date, selling 2,100,000 copies in the United States and over 3,000,000 copies around the world. Caillat supported the album with the Coco World Tour, as well as four singles. The lead single "Bubbly" was a huge international hit, while the following two singles "Realize" and "The Little Things" were minor hits. "Somethin' Special" was released as a promo support the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China and the 2009 film Bride Wars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Speak French</span> 2008 single by Girls Aloud

"Can't Speak French" is a song performed by British all-female pop group Girls Aloud, taken from their fourth studio album and serving as the third and final single from the album Tangled Up (2007). The song was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins and his production team Xenomania, and produced by Higgins and Xenomania. Described as "a swirling, slower cut with great jazzy guitar changes," Higgins said it was "the easiest Girls Aloud single they made." Upon its release in March 2008, "Can't Speak French" charted within the top ten on the UK Singles Chart, continuing their five-year streak of top ten hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Script</span> Irish rock band

The Script are an Irish rock band formed in 2001 in Dublin, by lead vocalist, keyboardist, and guitarist Danny O'Donoghue, lead guitarist Mark Sheehan and drummer Glen Power. The band moved to London after signing to Sony Label Group imprint Phonogenic and released their first album The Script in August 2008, preceded by the debut single "We Cry" as well as other singles such as "The Man Who Can't Be Moved", "Breakeven" and "Before the Worst". The album peaked at number one in both Ireland and the UK. Their next three albums, Science & Faith (2010), #3 (2012) and No Sound Without Silence (2014), all topped the album charts in Ireland and the UK, while Science & Faith reached number two in Australia and number three in the United States. Some of the hit singles from the albums include "For the First Time", "Nothing", "Hall of Fame" and "Superheroes". The band's fifth studio album, Freedom Child, was released on 1 September 2017, and features the UK Top 20 single "Rain". Their sixth studio album, Sunsets & Full Moons, was released on 8 November 2019, and features the single "The Last Time". A Greatest Hits album was released on 1 October 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cry for Help</span> 1991 single by Rick Astley

"Cry for Help" is a song by English singer-songwriter Rick Astley, released as the first single from his third studio album, Free (1991). It was written by Astley and Rob Fisher, formerly one half of the 1980s pop outfits Naked Eyes and Climie Fisher. The Andraé Crouch Choir provided backing vocals. The song is a ballad, unlike Astley's earlier dance-oriented hit singles.

<i>Waterfront</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Waterfront

Waterfront is the debut studio album by British sophistipop duo Waterfront. Released in both the UK and the US in 1989, it featured the hit single "Cry", which reached number 10 in the U.S. in 1989.

References

  1. 1 2 "Waterfront - Biography & History". AllMusic .
  2. ↑ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100" (in Dutch). Billboard.com. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  3. ↑ Un (21 September 2008). "Waterfront | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Myspace.com. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "Buy Ghosts Of The Good from our All Music range". Tescoentertainment.com.
  5. ↑ "Waterfront Band". Facebook.com.
  6. ↑ "Waterfront (2) – Waterfront at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "WATERFRONT - Artist". Officialcharts.com.
  8. ↑ "Waterfront - Chart history - Billboard (Billboard 200)". Billboard.com.
  9. ↑ "Waterfront - Chart history - Billboard". Billboard.com.
  10. ↑ "Waterfront Chart History | Billboard". Billboard . 10 December 2018. Archived from the original on 10 December 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  11. ↑ "charts.nz - Waterfront - Cry". Charts.nz.
  12. ↑ "Waterfront - full Chart history". Officialchart.com.
  13. ↑ "Waterfront (2) – Cry at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  14. ↑ "Waterfront (2) – Nature Of Love at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  15. ↑ "Waterfront (2) – Broken Arrow at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  16. ↑ "Waterfront (2) – Move On at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.