10cc

10cc are an English art rock and pop group from Stockport, United Kingdom. The band forms in 1972, after Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme have already written and recorded together for around three years. The original four members all work as multi-instrumentalists, vocalists, writers and producers, and each can sing lead. Their contrast between straightforward pop writing and more experimental approaches gives the group a distinctive sound, and their work is often compared with The Beatles.

Early line-up and 1970s success

The first version of 10cc centres on the songwriting partnership of Stewart and Gouldman alongside the more experimental team of Godley and Creme. The group achieves its biggest commercial success in the 1970s. In 1976, Godley and Creme leave the band and later record under their own name. They also become notable for their contribution to the development of music videos in the 1980s.

After the departures, Stewart and Gouldman continue as 10cc, bringing in drummer Paul Burgess, who has previously been their tour backup drummer. The group also tours internationally with guitarist Rick Fenn, keyboardist Tony O'Malley and drummer Stuart Tosh, and records the live album Live And Let Live in 1977. This album combines hit singles with material from the previous three studio albums. Fenn, Tosh, Burgess and keyboardist Duncan Mackay are full members for the 1978 album Bloody Tourists, which gives the band a third UK number one single with the reggae-styled “Dreadlock Holiday”. Their first album as a trio is Deceptive Bends.

Breaks, reunions and later touring

After 1983 the band goes into recess. During this period, Stewart produces recordings for Sad Café, while Gouldman produces tracks for The Ramones and later forms the synth-pop group Wax with Andrew Gold.

In 1992 the original four members reunite to record Meanwhile, an album produced by Gary Katz. The record is not a reunion in the strict sense, as all of its songs are written by Stewart and Gouldman, while Godley and Creme appear as guests to fulfil their obligation to Polydor.

From 1999, Gouldman tours as 10cc with a changing line-up that includes Rick Fenn, Paul Burgess, Mick Wilson, Mike Stevens and Keith Hayman, with occasional guest appearances by Kevin Godley. The group performs throughout the UK and internationally, playing 10cc songs as well as material written by Gouldman for other artists. The first gig in this later touring period takes place at Ronnie Scotts jazz club in Birmingham.

Style and membership

10cc’s music is generally associated with art pop, art rock, experimental rock, pop, pop rock and progressive pop. The band’s membership across its history includes Lol Creme, Kevin Godley, Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman, Paul Burgess, Tony O'Malley, Rick Fenn, Stuart Tosh, Duncan Mackay, Vic Emerson, Jamie Lane, Steve Piggott, Gary Wallis, Geoff Dunn, Alan Park, Mick Wilson, Mike Stevens and Keith Hayman. The group continues as an active act.