General Public

Last updated

General Public
General Public.jpg
General Public in 1994, left to right: Ranking Roger and Dave Wakeling
Background information
Origin Birmingham, England
Genres New wave
Years active
  • 1983–1987
  • 1994–1995
Labels
Past members

General Public were an English new wave band, formed in Birmingham in 1983, by vocalists Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger of the Beat, and which also included former members of Dexys Midnight Runners, the Specials, and the Clash. They are best remembered for their hits "Tenderness" (1984) and "I'll Take You There" (1994).

Contents

Career

After the break-up of the Beat in 1983 (known as the English Beat in North America), vocalists Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger decided to continue working together in a new venture. [1] They joined up with keyboardist Mickey Billingham (Dexys Midnight Runners), guitarist Mick Jones (the Clash), bassist Horace Panter (the Specials) and drummer Stoker (Dexys Midnight Runners/the Bureau) to form a supergroup of the UK punk and ska scene. [1] They named the band General Public and were rapidly signed to Virgin Records in the UK and I.R.S. Records in North America.

The band recorded and released the album All the Rage in 1984. [1] Jones left General Public part way through the recording process, but he is listed in the album's inner sleeve credits as a group member (although he did not appear in any of the band photographs for the album cover). Jones' replacement, guitarist Kevin White, also played on the album and was also listed an official group member. White's picture also appeared on the album's back cover.

In the UK, General Public had a minor hit with the track "General Public", which reached No. 60 in the UK Singles Chart in 1984. [2] The single's B-side "Dishwasher" (an instrumental mix of "Burning Bright" from All The Rage) became a surprise Top 40 hit in the Netherlands, after its use as a closing theme tune to the pop radio show Avondspits.[ citation needed ]

Later in the year, the band fared even better in North America, where their second single "Tenderness" was a Top 30 hit in Canada (No. 11) and the US (No. 27). The song's success benefited from appearing in the John Hughes films Sixteen Candles (1984) and Weird Science (1985) from the time period, and it would later appear in Amy Heckerling's Clueless (1995) and in the horror film Devil's Due (2014). Meanwhile, another General Public song, "Taking the Day Off" was featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).

For the follow-up album, White and Stoker were replaced by brothers Gianni and Mario Minardi on guitar and drums, respectively. Hand to Mouth was significantly less successful than their debut album, and the band dissolved soon after its release. [1] The 1993 reissue of the album includes "Taking the Day Off" and other non-album songs and remixes.

Roger and Wakeling worked on various solo projects for the next few years, before reconstituting General Public in 1994 to perform a cover version of the Staple Singers' hit "I'll Take You There" for the Threesome film soundtrack. The new General Public line-up retained only vocalists Wakeling and Roger from previous incarnations; the vocal duo was now backed by Michael Railton (keyboards), Randy Jacobs (guitars), Wayne Lothian (bass), Thomas White (drums), and Norman Jones (percussion). [1]

"I'll Take You There" was a Top 40 hit in the US and Canada and a minor hit in the UK (No. 73). Jacobs and White then left the group, and new drummer Dan Chase was brought in. The sextet released the album Rub It Better for Epic Records in 1995, recorded in the US with the aid of Jerry Harrison, the former keyboardist and guitarist for Talking Heads producing. [1] Guests on the album included former bandmate Mick Jones, Saxa, Pato Banton, and Chris Spedding; ex-band members Horace Panter and Stoker also participated in the album's creation, co-writing one song apiece. (Stoker also received an "additional recording" credit.) The single "Rainy Days" met with limited success in the US, but fared better in some international markets, notably Brazil. Sales were less than earlier albums, however, and Roger became tired of traveling to America, and they soon broke up again.

Since 2004, Dave Wakeling has toured the US with a full backing band as the English Beat. They often perform General Public tracks. [3]

"Ranking" Roger Charlery died at his home in Birmingham on 26 March 2019 at the age of 56. [4] [5] [6]

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart
positions		 Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
[7] 		CAN
[8]
1984 All the Rage 2619
1986 Hand to Mouth
  • Second studio album
  • Release date: 1986
  • Label: I.R.S. Records
8384
1995 Rub It Better
  • Third studio album
  • Release date: 4 April 1995
  • Label: Epic Records
——
"—" denotes released that did not chart

Compilation albums

YearAlbum details
2002Classic Masters
  • First compilation album
  • Release date: 26 January 2002
  • Label: Capitol Records

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
UK [10] AUS CAN NL [11] NZ US [12] US Dance [13] US Main [14] US Mod [15] GER [16]
1984"General Public"60———41—————All the Rage
"Dishwasher"———38——————
"Tenderness"955011——271539——
1985"Never You Done That"—————10513———
"Hot You're Cool"——————16———
1986"Come Again (General Public)"——————————Hand to Mouth
"Faults and All"——————————
"Too Much or Nothing (General Public)"——83———21———
"In Conversation"——————23———
1994"I'll Take You There"73—7—8221—671 Threesome (soundtrack)
1995"Rainy Days"—————93——40—Rub It Better
"Warm Love"——————————
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dexys Midnight Runners</span> English pop rock band

Dexys Midnight Runners are an English pop rock band from Birmingham, with soul influences, who achieved major commercial success in the early to mid-1980s. They are best known in the UK for their songs "Come On Eileen" and "Geno", both of which peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as six other top-20 singles. "Come On Eileen" also topped the US Billboard Hot 100, and with extensive airplay on MTV they are associated with the Second British Invasion.

The Bureau were an English new wave soul group formed in November 1980 in Birmingham, England, when the original line-up of Dexys Midnight Runners split up. The Bureau retained their Dexys roots and played powerful brass-driven soul sounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Rowland</span> British singer

Kevin Rowland is a British singer and musician best known as the frontman for the pop band Dexys Midnight Runners. The band had several hits in the early 1980s, the most notable being "Geno" and "Come On Eileen", both of which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come On Eileen</span> 1982 song by Dexys Midnight Runners

"Come On Eileen" is a song by the English group Dexys Midnight Runners, released in the United Kingdom in June 1982 as a single from their second studio album Too-Rye-Ay. It reached number one in the United States and was their second number one hit in the UK, following 1980's "Geno". The song was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley and was initially claimed to be written by Kevin Rowland, Jim Paterson and Billy Adams, although Rowland later stated that the essence of the tune should be attributed to Kevin Archer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Beat (British band)</span> British band

The Beat are a British band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978. Their music fuses Latin, ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Tears of a Clown</span> 1970 single by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

"The Tears of a Clown" is a song written by Hank Cosby, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder and originally recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles for the Tamla Records label subsidiary of Motown, first appearing on the 1967 album Make It Happen. The track was re-released in the United Kingdom as a single in July 1970, and it became a number-one hit on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending September 12, 1970. Subsequently, Motown released a partially re-recorded and completely remixed version as a single in the United States as well, where it quickly became a number-one hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B Singles charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranking Roger</span> English singer (1963–2019)

Roger Charlery, known professionally as Ranking Roger, was an English musician. He was a vocalist in the 1980s ska band the Beat and later new wave band General Public. He subsequently was the frontman for a reformed Beat lineup.

<i>Too-Rye-Ay</i> 1982 studio album by Dexys Midnight Runners

Too-Rye-Ay is the second studio album by English pop band Dexys Midnight Runners. It was released in July 1982 by Mercury Records. The album is best known for the hit single "Come On Eileen", which included the refrain that inspired the album's title. It was the band's most successful album, debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>All the Rage</i> (General Public album) 1984 studio album by General Public

All the Rage is the debut studio album by English new wave band General Public, released in January 1984 by I.R.S. Records. It was recorded digitally. After his expulsion from the Clash, Mick Jones was a founding member of General Public. Though he is listed in the credits of the album as a member, Jones left General Public part way through the recording process and was replaced by Kevin White. White's picture appears on the back cover; Jones' picture does not. Jones did play guitar on many of the album's tracks however, including "Tenderness". The album spent 39 weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart and reached its peak position of No. 26 in mid-February 1985. However, it failed to chart in their home country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Wakeling</span> Musical artist

David Wakeling is an English singer, songwriter and musician, best known for his work with the band the Beat and General Public.

David "Shuffle" Steele is an English musician who was a member of the Beat and Fine Young Cannibals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geno (song)</span> 1980 single by Dexys Midnight Runners

"Geno" is a 1980 single by Dexys Midnight Runners. Written by Kevin Archer and Kevin Rowland, it was the band's second single and their first UK number one, staying at the top of the Singles Chart for two weeks. The song charted at number two in Ireland.

Mickey Billingham is an English keyboardist. He was the former keyboardist of the pop rock band Dexys Midnight Runners. After the band broke up, he and another member, Andy "Stoker" Growcott, became co-founding members of new wave band General Public, contributing to the band's debut studio album All the Rage (1984).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)</span> 1972 single by Van Morrison

"Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)" is a song written and performed by Van Morrison and featured as the opening track on his sixth studio album, Saint Dominic's Preview. It was released by Warner Bros. in July 1972 as the first of three singles from the album and charted at number sixty-one on the US Billboard Hot 100. Both the music and lyrics are inspired by rhythm and blues singer Jackie Wilson and his song "Reet Petite", which is directly quoted in the song.

<i>Whappen?</i> 1981 studio album by the Beat

Wha'ppen? is the second studio album by British ska band the Beat, released in 1981 via Go-Feet Records in the United Kingdom and Sire Records in the United States. After the critical and commercial success of I Just Can't Stop It (1980), which mixed ska, reggae and punk rock with social lyrics, the band changed direction on Wha'ppen?, taking influence from many other musical styles which were intriguing the band, including African, steel band and dub music, while keeping reggae at its core. The fast pace of the band's previous work is also exchanged for a slower, mid-tempo pace. Accompanying the music is the socially conscious and political lyrics. The band recorded the record at Roundhouse Studios with producer Bob Sargeant.

<i>Hand to Mouth</i> (album) 1986 studio album by General Public

Hand to Mouth is the second studio album by English new wave band General Public, released in 1986 by I.R.S. Records.

<i>Rub It Better</i> 1995 studio album by General Public

Rub It Better is the third studio album by English new wave band General Public, released on 4 April 1995 by Epic Records. The band had not recorded together in almost 10 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric M. Fowler</span> Musical artist

Eric M. Fowler is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer and producer who is best known as a member of musical group Boxing Gandhis. Fowler is a featured musician on many popular recordings by artists such as Sting, UB40, Rosanne Cash, Taylor Dayne, General Public, Clint Black, Kelly Price and the Boxing Gandhis. He currently resides in Los Angeles California with his wife Colette and 3 children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Confess (song)</span> 1982 song written and recorded by The Beat

"I Confess" is a 1982 song written and recorded by British band the Beat. The song was released as a single from the band's third and final studio album, Special Beat Service, finding moderate chart success in the UK. Inspired by the romantic escapades of English tabloids and Wakeling's own personal relationships, the song featured a piano performance led by touring keyboardist Dave "Blockhead" Wright.

This is the discography of British 2-tone/ska band the Beat and its subsequent incarnations as the Beat featuring Ranking Roger based in the UK, and the English Beat starring Dave Wakeling based in the US.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 513. ISBN   1-85227-745-9.
  2. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 224. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  3. ↑ Dave Wakeling Readies First New English Beat Album in 34 years, Blastecho.com, 16 February 2016, retrieved 2 September 2016
  4. ↑ Pearis, Bill (26 March 2019). "Ranking Roger (The English Beat, General Public), dead at 56". BrooklynVegan . Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  5. ↑ Otte, Jedidajah (27 March 2019). "The Beat singer Ranking Roger dies aged 56". The Guardian . Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  6. ↑ "Tributes as The Beat star Ranking Roger dies". BBC. 27 March 2019.
  7. ↑ "allmusic ((( General Public > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". AllMusic . Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  8. ↑ "Results – RPM – Library and Archives Canada: Top Albums/CDs". RPM . Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  9. ↑ "Canadian Recording Industry Association search results". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  10. ↑ "General Public". Official Charts. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  11. ↑ "General Public". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  12. ↑ "General Public". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  13. ↑ "General Public". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  14. ↑ "General Public". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  15. ↑ "General Public". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  16. ↑ "I'll Take You There". Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
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.