Ultravox

Ultravox are a British group from London, active from 1976 to the present, associated with new wave, synthpop, art rock, new romantic, pop, pop rock and post-punk. They are one of the key bands linked to the British new wave synthpop movement and are closely associated with the New Romantic scene, while also drawing on dark post-punk, glam rock and later synthpop.

Origins and early line-up

The band begins in 1973 in London under the name Tiger Lily, led by vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist John Foxx, whose real name is Dennis Leigh. The first line-up includes Foxx with Chris Cross on bass, Billy Currie on keyboards and violin, Stevie Shears on guitar and Warren Cann on percussion. The group releases a cover of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” in 1974 before changing its name to Ultravox!, with the exclamation mark referencing the krautrock band Neu!.

Ultravox sign to Island Records in 1976 and release their debut album in 1977. The debut is self-produced, with Brian Eno co-producing two tracks and Steve Lillywhite also contributing. Sales are weak, and neither the album nor the single “Dangerous Rhythm” enters the UK charts. Later in 1977 they release Ha!-Ha!-Ha!, a more punk-oriented album whose lead single “ROckwrok” receives BBC Radio 1 play despite its explicit chorus. Steve Shears is dismissed after this period and later forms Faith Global.

On Ha!-Ha!-Ha!, “Hiroshima Mon Amour” points toward the synth-pop direction the band later takes. It becomes a long-standing favourite and is performed on Old Grey Whistle Test.

Move towards synth-led music

In 1978 the band drops the exclamation mark and becomes simply Ultravox. Their third album, Systems of Romance, is recorded at Conny Plank’s studio in rural Germany with new guitarist Robin Simon. The album also fails commercially and Island drops the band. After a US tour in 1979, Foxx leaves for a solo career and Simon joins Magazine. Systems of Romance is important in the band’s development because it moves synthesisers to the front of their sound and provides a blueprint for later Ultravox releases.

Island issues the compilation Three Into One in 1979, bringing together highlights from the first three albums.

Commercial peak with Midge Ure

Midge Ure joins after earlier success with Slik and The Rich Kids, and after a period playing with Thin Lizzy. He and Billy Currie have already worked together in Visage, the project fronted by Steve Strange. Ure replaces Foxx for the next album, giving Ultravox a more commercial sound.

Vienna is released on Chrysalis Records in 1980, recorded in London and mixed in Germany by Conny Plank and the band. Its title track, inspired by Carol Reed’s The Third Man, becomes a major hit and reaches number two in the UK Top 40 in 1981, held off the top position by Joe Dolce’s “Shaddap You Face”. The album reaches number five. It is followed by Rage in Eden in 1981, recorded again with Conny Plank in a difficult session.

Ultravox work with George Martin for Quartet in 1982, which becomes their most successful album in the United States. The band then tours Lament in 1984 and appears at Live Aid. Warren Cann is then dismissed and later works as an actor in the United States.

Later line-ups, reunions and releases

After Cann’s departure, the remaining members are joined by Big Country drummer Mark Brzezicki for U-Vox in 1986. The band then separates the following year. Billy Currie and singer-guitarist Tony Fennell reform Ultravox in 1992 for Revelation. Sam Blue provides vocals on Ingenuity in 1996, which is their final release.

Currie later puts the band officially on ice in 1996, while he and Midge Ure pursue solo careers. Ure continues to perform solo versions of Ultravox songs live. In 2008 the “classic” Cann/Cross/Currie/Ure line-up reforms for the Return To Eden UK tour in 2009. Around this period Vienna and Rage in Eden are remastered and reissued, and a greatest hits release is planned alongside the tour.

After the Return to Eden tour, Ultravox sign with Universal Records. The EP Moments from Eden follows in 2011, and Brilliant appears in 2012 with the 1980s line-up of Midge Ure, Billy Currie, Chris Cross and Warren Cann. The band remains active and continues to draw large audiences on tour, including appearances alongside Simple Minds.

Notable songs and members

Ultravox are especially known for “Vienna” and “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes”. Named members across the group’s history include John Foxx, Warren Cann, Midge Ure, Tony Fennell, Chris Cross, Billy Currie, Robin Simon and Stevie Shears.