MADNESS IN 250 WORDS (ish)
Here's one of our potted histories. Everything you need to know about a band or artist we play on Classic Hits Forest Radio all squeezed into 250 words (ish) (just in case you were going to count).
So pull up a chair and find out everything you need to know about Madness. But don't get too comfy, it is only 250 words (ish).
Madness in 250 words (ish)
Madness is a two-tone ska band from Camden Town and formed in 1976. They were most successful in the 80s and released 12 studio albums, 4 live albums, 2 soundtracks albums and 42 singles.
The band was formed by Mike Barson, Chris Forman and Lee Thompson; they were later joined by John Hasler, Cathal Smyth and Dikron Tulane. The band still performs today with 6 out of the 7 original members.
The band has had 1 UK no.1 single ‘House of Fun’ in 1982 and 16 singles in the top 10. ‘Wings of a Dove’ (1983) reached no.2, ‘My Girl' (1980) and ‘Baggy Trousers’ (1980) both reached no.3. ‘Embarrassment’ (1980), ‘Grey Day’ (1981), ‘It Must Be Love’ (1981) and ‘Driving in my Car’ (1982) all reached no.4.
Madness had 2 no.1 albums ‘Complete Madness’ (1982) and ‘Divine Madness’ (1992), both albums spent 3 weeks at no.1. They also had 8 albums in the top 10.
The band’s first album ‘One Step Beyond’ released in 1979 and reached no.2. The album was recorded and mixed in 3 weeks and stayed in the charts for over a year.
In 1983 and 2000 the band were awarded Ivor Novello Awards and in 2007 they received a Brit Award and in 2010 were awarded a Idol Award at the Q Awards.
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