Junior Giscombe

Junior Giscombe

Junior Giscombe, born Norman Washington Giscombe, is a British singer-songwriter from Wandsworth, London, of Jamaican parentage. He is one of the first British R&B artists to achieve success in the United States.

Career

He begins his music career as a backing vocalist with Linx, working with the group between 1980 and 1982. When he moves into solo work, he is first billed simply as Junior. Under that name, he reaches number 7 in the UK Singles Chart in 1982 with “Mama Used to Say”. The single also becomes a Top 40 pop hit and a Top 5 R&B hit in the United States, and it earns him a Billboard “Best Newcomer” award. His follow-up single, “Too Late”, also reaches the UK Top 20.

After a period away from the charts, he returns to the UK Top 10 in 1987 with “Another Step (Closer to You)”, a duet with Kim Wilde.

Other work and collaborations

In 1984, he takes part in the fundraising single “Soul Deep” with The Council Collective, alongside The Style Council, Jimmy Ruffin and others. He also becomes involved in the formation of Red Wedge in 1986 with Billy Bragg, Jimmy Somerville and Paul Weller. Later, he is better known as a songwriter for other artists, including Sheena Easton.

Later activities

He also works as a DJ with the internet radio station Solarradio.com.

Family

He is the uncle of comedian Richard Blackwood, who records a cover of “Mama Used to Say” in 2000.