Adam Ant
The music business can be a case of trial and error. Take London born Stuart Goddard. He started as lead singer for Bazooka Joe, but when that failed, he moved on, becoming Adam of Adam &The Ants (Andy Warren – bass, Lester Square – guitar and Paul Flanagan – drums). Their quasi-Punk approach didn’t garner much attention, so the next stop was Malcolm McLaren, the “mastermind” behind the Sex Pistols.
McLaren dressed Adam & The Ants in a pirate outfits, installed a more mainstream sensibility then persuaded the Ants to leave Adam to form Bow-Wow-Wow. Nice.
Adam recruited a new set on Ants (Marco Pirroi – guitar, Kevin Mooney – bass, Terry Lee – drums and Merrick a.k.a. Chris Hughes – percussion). “The Kings Of The Wild Frontier” was huge in the U.K. featuring the hit “Antmusic.”
Antmusic
The follow-up, “Prince Charming” was also successful and spawned a title track hit along with “Stand And Deliver.” The pirate shtick was wearing thin so Adam ditched the Ants for a solo career as Adam Ant. Songwriting partner Pirroi was the only ex-Ant working in the backing band.
Prince Charming
Stand And Deliver
Goody Two Shoes
Adam Ant’s first solo album, released in 82, “Friend Or Foe,” contained his biggest hit, the sassy, percussive “Goody Two Shoes.”
“Strip” and “Vive Le Rock” followed with the former deservedly getting most of the attention.
Both albums were much less Rock-oriented and more grounded in pop and dance. They charted on the Billboard 200 but a long way from the top.
After that, Adam Ant focused on his acting career for the next five years.
He returned in ’90 with the “Room At The Top” from his densely textured “Manners & Physique” album. “Wonderful,” released in ’95, was a modest commercial success on both sides of the Atlantic.
After “Manners & Physique” Adam Ant moved toward Adult\Alternative – namely M.O.R. pop with intelligent lyrics and acoustic arrangements.
No doubt designed to allow him to grow old gracefully.
Room At The Top
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