The Psychedelic Furs and Gary Numan

During the emerging punk scene in England in 1977, The Psychedelic Furs auditioned for Essex Kennedy’s record label, Manfactory Wave Punk, Essex Kennedy’s record label, who signed the band hoping to cash in on the punk music movement. The band, originally consisting of vocalist Richard Butler, bassist Tim Butler, saxophonist Duncan Kilburn, drummer Paul Wilson and guitarist Roger Morris, and in 1979 they gained guitarist John Ashton and had Vince Ely replace Wilson. Then in 1980 they released their first album, and the eponymous album reached radio popularity in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Australia.

They reached success in the United States with their sophomore album, “Talk Talk Talk” in 1981; in fact, the single “Pretty In Pink” served as the inspiration for John Hughes’ film with the same name. In 1982 both Morris and Kilburn left the band, and after the band released “Forever Now,” Ely left the band as well; however Phil Calvert stepped in for touring duties.

By the mid 80s, the band had become widely popular around the world, and in 1986 they re-recorded “Pretty In Pink” for the soundtrack of the movie. This led to the band returning to the studio for “Midnight To Midnight,” an album Butler claimed was forced out of the band, however despite the claims, the album became their most successful album. After the release of “Book Of Days,” and “World Outside” the band went on hiatus.

During the hiatus, the Butler brothers found a new band together called Love Split Love, but after a decade apart the band came back together in 2000. Since then, they have released a live album, as well as participated in a world tour in 2011.

Born on 8 March 1958, Numan worked a plethora of odd jobs as a teenager while playing guitar in various bands. He started to rise to prominence as front man of the band, Tubeway Army. Together they were signed by Beggars Banquet Records in 1978, and released a self-titled album the following year. The following year Numan recorded and released a solo album entitled “The Pleasure Principle” which reached Number one in the UK followed by a sold out tour. In 1980 Numan topped the UK charts with his “Telekom” album followed by another major tour; however he announced to retire from touring.

The retirement didn’t last long. After experimenting with jazz, funk and rhythmic pop, he released “Dance” topping at Number 3 on the charts in the UK. Unfortunately the following album “I, Assasin” in 1982 didn’t fare as well as “Dance” which only peaked at number eight. Numan then issued a series of albums through his own label, Numa, starting with “Berserker” in 1984. He then ventured into film scoring in 1991 by working with Michael R. Smith for the film “The Unborn.”

In 2002 Numan found charting success with the release of the single “Rip.” He continued to tour and write new music, and in 2008 he announced the upcoming release of his album “Splinter;” however the album wasn’t released in 2013.