Critical acclaim is one thing, but what Simple Minds really desired in 1982 was a hit record. With their fifth studio album, New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84), they finally got it,…
Clare Grogan interview: “I constantly felt I had to prove myself”
Surely the hardest working singer in 1981 was Clare Grogan. Just as Altered Images were releasing their debut album, she became a film star too. Aged just 19, how did…
Peter Hook talks Joy Division, New Order
After the tragic death of Ian Curtis, the surviving members of Joy Division, including Peter Hook could have faded into obscurity – instead, 1981 saw them reborn as New Order,…
Making Air: Moon Safari
With Moon Safari, Air paved their own path, one that wasn’t dance or Britpop. Bonjour, you sexy boys… By Andy Jones Ironically, it was the high-bpm ravers who bought chillout…
Making Roxy Music: Avalon
With Avalon, Roxy Music regrouped to record a mature album far removed from the sleazy glam of their early work… In the 10 years since their breakthrough, Roxy Music had…
The story of 1981 in music
The music of 1981 unfolded with an explosion of creativity. synths took over the hit parade, the New Romantics enjoyed their last hurrah, funk, rap and retro opened new territory.…
Pink Floyd release first new song in nearly 30 years
Pink Floyd have released their first new music in 28 years to aid the relief effort in Ukraine. The brand new track, Hey, Hey, Rise Up, features the vocals of…
Making Laurie Anderson: Big Science
A New York performance artist with no interest in becoming a pop star, Laurie Anderson is the unlikeliest of one-hit wonders, but that didn’t prevent her from delivering one of…
Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser shares first new music in 13 years
Former Cocteau Twins vocalist Elizabeth Fraser has unveiled her first new music in 13 years. The new track, Golden Air, comes via the Sun’s Signature project with partner Damon Reece.…
Rare footage discovered of Prince, aged 11, from 1970
Archival footage has been found of Prince at a teachers’ strike in Minneapolis in 1970 when he was just 11 years old. The video was discovered by local TV station…