Joanne Catherall

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Joanne Catherall is an English singer and one of the two female vocalists of the synth-pop band The Human League. She was born in 1962. In 1980, when she had just turned eighteen and was still at school, she and her best friend Susan Ann Sulley were discovered in the Crazy Daisy Nightclub in Sheffield by Philip Oakey, the group's singer.

Music and breakthrough

The Human League had just split up acrimoniously. Only Oakey and Adrian Wright remained, while the group had to start a European tour within a week. Oakey quickly looked for new members and asked the two girls, who had never sung or danced professionally. Their parents gave permission only after Oakey had visited them in person. On that tour they were at first dancers with small singing parts, for thirty pounds a week. The audience was hostile, because fans had bought tickets for the old all-male line-up. In December 1980 both women became full members.

Influence

In 1981 the group broke through with producer Martin Rushent. Sound of the Crowd was a top twenty hit and the first single with vocals from both women. Love Action and Open Your Heart followed in the top ten, and in October the album Dare. Catherall became known for her black kohl and bright red lipstick. The single Don't You Want Me got an expensive video, with a duet by Oakey and Sulley and backing vocals from Catherall. She is still a member and shares the band's company with Oakey and Sulley.

Listening