Musicians - Marc Almond

Home > Listing Index > Musicians > Marc Almond

	Musicians - Marc Almond

Marc Almond (born Peter Mark Sinclair Almond on 9 July, 1956 in Southport, Lancashire) is a popular vocalist, and recording artist, who originally found fame as half of the seminal Synthpop/New Wave duo Soft Cell. He has also recorded albums with his band, Marc Almond and the Willing Sinners, and as a member of Marc and the Mambas alongside The The's Matt Johnson and Annie Hogan, with whom Almond would later collaborate on his later solo records. In addition, he has also collaborated with Kelli Ali of the Sneaker Pimps, Neal X on the album "Fantastic Star", Marie France, Agnes Bernelle, P.J. Proby, Nico, Gene Pitney on a #1 UK single Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart, Siouxsie Sioux, Foetus (a.k.a. J. G. Thirlwell), Jimmy Somerville of the Communards and Bronski Beat, Psychic TV, Coil, Mekon, King Roc, John Cale and David Johansen of the New York Dolls.

Although Soft Cell disbanded in 1984 just before the release of their third album, This Last Night in Sodom, the duo have since reunited for a new album (2002's Cruelty Without Beauty) and a new world tour, which includes a stop on the prestigious gay-themed Wotapalava tour.

His work runs the gamut from electronica and dance music to traditional piano ballads, as exhibited in his latest album, "Heart On Snow." He claims to be influenced by David Bowie, a childhood hero of his, as well as early 60's Northern Soul and disco. Topics confronted in his lyrics are generally dark and include transvestism, drug addiction, prostitution and murder. He also operates a record label, Blue Star Records, on which he has released many of his solo and collaborative records in the UK. In 1999 he received attention and accolades in the US for his autobiography, entitled Tainted Life, which confronts details of his early life, creative ventures, his homosexuality, and drug addiction, for which he was hospitalized in 2002.

Marc is considered to be a gay icon, though he has stated that he wishes not to be seen as a gay artist, whose work is solely intended for other gay men. Nevertheless, his music is ambiguous and not necessarily homo- or heterosexual, and he can generally be taken any way the listener wishes.

Marc is also a member of the Church of Satan.

On 17 October 2004, Almond was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in which he was a pillion passenger in London. Although the initial prognosis was considered poor, he was discharged from the hospital on 8 November 2004 and said to be making a "remarkable" recovery.

In 2005 he continued his recovery, did some DJ gigs all over Europe and guested at the Meltdown Festival in London in June 2005, hosted by Patti Smith. Marc contributed his brilliant versions of two songs to this night of Brecht music, "Bilbao Song" and "What keeps a man alive". In October, November and December 2005 Marc went on tour with Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, singing two songs during the shows "Say hello wave goodbye" and "Tainted Love", which had a new arrangement done by Jools.

Marc is currently working on his new album of cover songs which should be ready for release by the end of 2006.

Albums

1982 "Untitled" (as Marc & The Mambas) #41 UK
1983 "Torment & Toreros" (as Marc & The Mambas) #28 UK
1984 "Bite Black And Blues" (As Raoul and the Ruined)
1984 "Vermin in Ermine" (with The Willing Sinners) #6 UK
1985 "Stories of Johnny" (with The Willing Sinners) #14 UK
1986 "Violent Silence" (Mini Album)
1986 "A woman's story" (mini album)
1987 "Mother Fist and Her Five Daughters" (with The Willing Sinners) #8 UK
1987 "Singles 1984 - 1987"
1987 "Slut" (as The Flesh Volcano)
1988 "The Stars We Are" (with La Magia) #2 UK #144 US
1989 "Jacques"
1990 "Enchanted" #9 UK
1991 "Memorabilia: The Singles" (Soft Cell/ Marc Almond)
1991 "Tenement Symphony" #17 UK
1992 "A Virgin's Tale - Volume I"
1992 "A Virgin's Tale - Volume II"
1993 "Twelve years of tears (live at the Royal Albert Hall)"
1993 "Absinthe: The French album"
1995 "Treasure Box" (b-sides and rarities compilation)
1996 "Fantastic Star"
1998 "Marc Almond And La Magia Live In Concert"
1999 "Open All Night" #112 UK
2000 "Liverpool Philharmonic Hall"
2001 "Stranger Things"
2001 "Live At The Union Chapel"
2002 "Little Rough Rhinestones Volume 1"
2003 "The Willing Sinner"
2003 "Marc Almond In Session Volume 1"
2003 "Heart on Snow"
2003 "Marc Almond In Session Volume 2"

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Marc Almond ]

This page is based on the copyrighted Wikipedia article Marc Almond; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.

Musicians - Marc Almond

Albums

Searches on eBay

Related searches on eBay