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Ultravox

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

Ultravox was a British new wave band, formed in London in April 1974 under the name Tiger Lily. The driving force at first was singer and lyricist Dennis Leigh, who came to call himself John Foxx. He played with drummer Warren Cann and violinist Billy Currie. In 1976 the group signed to Island Records and came up with the name Ultravox!, the exclamation mark being a reference to the krautrock band Neu!. The band drew inspiration from Roxy Music, David Bowie and Kraftwerk. The first records from 1977, Ultravox!, Ha! Ha! Ha! and then Systems of Romance in 1978, sold modestly.

Music and breakthrough

In 1979 Foxx left for a solo career. Midge Ure took over as singer and guitarist, after working with Currie on the studio project Visage. With him the group achieved the success that had previously eluded it. Between 1980 and 1986 Ultravox had seven albums in the British top ten and seventeen singles in the top forty. The best-known song is Vienna from 1981, from the album of the same name. Rage in Eden, Quartet and Lament, among others, followed. In 1987 the group split up.

Influence

Ultravox brought the cool electronics of the synthesizer together with strings and dramatic vocals. Ure also remained active as a writer and producer. His greatest moment came in 1984, when, together with a colleague, he wrote Do They Know It's Christmas?, the charity record that characterises the 1980s. In 2008 the best-known line-up came together once more and made the album Brill!ant in 2012.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Vienna by Ultravox. Notice the piano, the violin and the synthesizer that slowly build the song towards a grand chorus.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists