Singing Lessons Manchester can help you follow in the footsteps of your idols in the very city that they began. So curl up your toes in anticipation of some of the greatest musicians Britain has seen, with the knowledge that this beautiful city was their orginal home...
The Smiths The Smiths formed in Brighton in 1982, led by frontman Morrisey, who previously briefly fronted punk rock band The Nosebleeds. They were signed to label Rough Trade Records, through which they released four studio albums: The Smiths, Meat is Murder, The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come. The group chose their name in defiance of 'pretentious' titles of other bands that emerged in the early '80s. Thier debut album, The Smiths reached no. 2 in the UK Album Chart, and included the single 'The Hand That Rocks the Cradle', that was met with controversy surrounding the claim that the lyrics were paedophilic. However, this was strongly denied by the group. The Smiths split in 1987 but have continued to pursue musical careers through other bands and solo projects.
Oasis Oasis formed in 1991, made up of four members: Liam Gallagher, Paul Arthurs, Paul McGuigan and Tony McCarroll. Liam's brother Noel was soon drawn in as lead vocalist, and they were away. Nowadays, Oasis are as famous for their intra-band politics as they are for their internationally acclaimed single, 'Wonderwall', but this wasn't always the case. The band have had eight UK number-one singles, eight number-one UK studio albums, and have clocked up 34 awards, including NME, Q, MTV Europe and Brit awards. These include an award for outstanding contributionto music in 2007, and best album of the last 30 years for (What's The Story) Morning Glory?. Signed to Creation Records, their most iconic records include 'Cigarettes and Alcohol, 'Half the World Away', 'Rock 'n' Roll Star', 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out', 'Morning Glory', 'She's Electric', and 'Wonderwall', to name but a few. The band split in 2009 after Noel left the band, following a blow-out dispute backstage at a festival. Both Noel and Liam Gallagher have gone on to pursue their careers apart, with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, and Beady Eye, who performed the Oasis classic 'Wonderwall' at the the 2012 Olympic closing ceremony. At Singing Lessons Manchester we will be following every step in their crazy and inspiring musical lives - we believe there's much more to come from them yet!
Stone Roses The Stone Roses formed in 1983, and were a pioneering group of the 'Madchester' Movement that ran through the 80s and into the 90s. Their line-up suffered many changes, the most successful consisting of Ian Brown, John Squire, Gary Mounfield and Alan Wren. The band released their debit album The Stone Roses in 1989, six years after their formation, which came with breakthrough success, and caused a legal battle in which the band were attempting to leave their current label, Silverstone, to sign with mainstream label Geffen Records. They released their second (and last) album, Second Coming, followed their dossolution in 2006. After many years of specualtion from the press and denial from the band, The Stone Roses finally reunitied in 2011, and announced a world tour and the possibility of playing at the Isle of Wight Festivalin 2013. Some well-known records include, 'What The World is Waiting For', 'Fools Gold' and 'I Wanna Be Adored'.
The Bee GeesThe Bee Gees formed in 1958, and had two significant periods of distinctive influence: the first being as a pop act in the late '60s, and the second as pioneers of the Disco movement in the late 70s. The band consisted of Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, who performed with recognisable tight three-part harmonies. The band wrote all of their own music, and have since written and produced records for many other artists. The Bee Gees have lifetime record sales of over 220 million, probably assisted significantly by their particpation in the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, in fact leading to a synonymity between this and the band. Their most famous tracks include, 'How Deep Is Your Love', 'Stayin' Alive' and 'Night Fever'. Go on, get those dance moves out!
Take That Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen, and Robbie Williams. If you don't recognise these name you must either have been undergroud for a long time, or have had cotton wool in your ears for the last 25 years. And even that is no excuse. Take That formed in 1989 as the brain child of Nigel Martin-Smith, who was looking to create a British all-male singing group, and finding Gary Barlow with an already-refined set of material, he centralised the band around Barlow's musical abilities. Some of their hits include 'Could It Be Magic' (Barry Mannilow cover), 'A Million Love Songs', 'Relight My Fire' and 'Back For Good'. The band released three studio albums before splitting in 1996. Robbie embarked on his solo career that granted him an immense following, and was similarly successful, if not moreso than the band itself. Ten years after the split, and despite the absence of Robbie Williams, the band reformed in 2006, and created albums Beautiful World and Circus. Williams rejoined the band in 2010 and together they released Progress. The band have won 30 awards spanning both eras of the band's existance, and peformed at the Olympic Closing Ceremony in 2012.
