London (band)
Encyclopedia
London were a four piece punk band formed in London in 1976 and were best known for their wild stage act. The original line-up was Riff Regan (Vocals), Steve Voice (Bass), Jon Moss
(Drums) and Dave Wight (Guitar). They were managed by Simon Napier-Bell
and recorded two singles, a 4 track EP and an album for MCA Records
in 1977. Most of their songs were written by Riff Regan (including the first two singles Everyone's a Winner and Summer of Love) or by Riff Regan and Steve Voice. All their records were produced by Napier-Bell at the IBC Studios
in London.
Henry Padovani
auditioned for London in December 1976 and was offered a position in the band, but changed his mind when Stewart Copeland
invited him to join The Police
instead.
They toured extensively throughout 1977, first supporting The Stranglers
and then as headliners in their own right. Their third release, the single Animal Games, was featured on the notorious Sex Pistols edition of the British TV show So It Goes.
Their final gig was at the Marquee Club
in Wardour Street on the 8th December 1977. The band broke up shortly afterwards. On leaving, Moss joined The Damned and then formed Culture Club
with Boy George
. Riff Regan released solo records before reverting to his real name of Miles Tredinnick
and becoming a comedy writer; in 2005/6 he was the lead singer with the London based band Magic Bus.
Steve Voice formed a new band 'The Original Vampires' and Dave Wight following stints in 'Metro' and Holly and the Italians
reverted to his real name of Colin Wight and became an academic; recently appointed Professor of International Politics at the University of Exeter.
MCA Records released the band's one and only album in February 1978 called Animal Games
.
London The Punk Rock Collection
, a CD containing all their recorded work, was released on the Captain Oi! label in 1997 and in 2010 the band released an official live bootleg CD Get out of London.
The band played their first London gig in over 30 years at the 12 Bar Club
in London on Saturday 23 February 2008. The new line-up is Riff Regan (vocals), Steve Voice (bass), Hugh O'Donnell (guitar) and Colin Watterston (drums). They are still playing dates in 2011.
Jon Moss
Jon Moss is an English drummer best known as a member of the 1980s pop group Culture Club. He has also played with other bands, including London, The Nips and The Damned.-Early life:...
(Drums) and Dave Wight (Guitar). They were managed by Simon Napier-Bell
Simon Napier-Bell
Simon Napier-Bell has undertaken many jobs in the music industry, including bandboy, manager, producer, songwriter, journalist and author and gourmet...
and recorded two singles, a 4 track EP and an album for MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
in 1977. Most of their songs were written by Riff Regan (including the first two singles Everyone's a Winner and Summer of Love) or by Riff Regan and Steve Voice. All their records were produced by Napier-Bell at the IBC Studios
IBC Studios
The IBC Recording Studios were recording studios in 35 Portland Place, London, England. After the Second World War it was the address of the leading independent studio in London and the British Isles...
in London.
Henry Padovani
Henry Padovani
Henry Padovani is a French musician from Corsica, who is noted for having been the original guitarist for The Police...
auditioned for London in December 1976 and was offered a position in the band, but changed his mind when Stewart Copeland
Stewart Copeland
Stewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the band The Police. During the group's extended hiatus from the mid-1980s to 2007, he played in other bands and composed soundtracks...
invited him to join The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
instead.
They toured extensively throughout 1977, first supporting The Stranglers
The Stranglers
The Stranglers are an English punk/rock music group.Scoring some 23 UK top 40 singles and 17 UK top 40 albums to date in a career spanning five decades, the Stranglers are the longest-surviving and most "continuously successful" band to have originated in the UK punk scene of the mid to late 1970s...
and then as headliners in their own right. Their third release, the single Animal Games, was featured on the notorious Sex Pistols edition of the British TV show So It Goes.
Their final gig was at the Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
in Wardour Street on the 8th December 1977. The band broke up shortly afterwards. On leaving, Moss joined The Damned and then formed Culture Club
Culture Club
Culture Club are a British rock band who were part of the 1980s New Romantic movement. The original band consisted of Boy George , Mikey Craig , Roy Hay and Jon Moss...
with Boy George
Boy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
. Riff Regan released solo records before reverting to his real name of Miles Tredinnick
Miles Tredinnick
Miles Tredinnick, also known as Riff Regan, is a rock musician, songwriter and a stage and screen writer. In the 1970s, he was the lead singer with the British rock band London. Afterwards he went on to write comedy plays for the stage...
and becoming a comedy writer; in 2005/6 he was the lead singer with the London based band Magic Bus.
Steve Voice formed a new band 'The Original Vampires' and Dave Wight following stints in 'Metro' and Holly and the Italians
Holly and the Italians
Holly and the Italians were a short-lived American pop punk band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1978 by Chicago born singer and guitarist Holly Beth Vincent, bassist Mark Sidgwick, and drummer Steve Young...
reverted to his real name of Colin Wight and became an academic; recently appointed Professor of International Politics at the University of Exeter.
MCA Records released the band's one and only album in February 1978 called Animal Games
Animal Games
Animal Games was the one and only album recorded by the British punk band London. Recorded throughout 1977 at the IBC Studios in London, the album was actually released in February 1978 after the group had disbanded...
.
London The Punk Rock Collection
London The Punk Rock Collection
London The Punk Rock Collection is a CD containing all the MCA recordings of the 1970s punk band London. All the group's A & B sides are included as well as their entire 1978 Animal Games album. In addition there are biographical notes and color photographs of the band's record sleeves. The album...
, a CD containing all their recorded work, was released on the Captain Oi! label in 1997 and in 2010 the band released an official live bootleg CD Get out of London.
The band played their first London gig in over 30 years at the 12 Bar Club
12 Bar Club
The 12 Bar Club is one of the smallest live music venues in London, England. It is located in Denmark Street, aka "Tin Pan Alley", just off Charing Cross Road and close to Soho....
in London on Saturday 23 February 2008. The new line-up is Riff Regan (vocals), Steve Voice (bass), Hugh O'Donnell (guitar) and Colin Watterston (drums). They are still playing dates in 2011.
Discography
- Everyone's a Winner (1977 MCA Records)
- Summer of Love and Friday on my Mind (1977 MCA Records)
- Summer of Love, No Time, Friday on my Mind, Siouxsie Sue (1977 12 inch EP, MCA Records)
- Punk Rock - Various Artists. (1977 Philips/Phonogram Records Brazil)
- Animal Games - single. (1977 MCA Records)
- Animal GamesAnimal GamesAnimal Games was the one and only album recorded by the British punk band London. Recorded throughout 1977 at the IBC Studios in London, the album was actually released in February 1978 after the group had disbanded...
- album. (1978 MCA Records) - Meet the New Punk Wave - Various Artists (1978 EMI Records Holland)
- London The Punk Rock CollectionLondon The Punk Rock CollectionLondon The Punk Rock Collection is a CD containing all the MCA recordings of the 1970s punk band London. All the group's A & B sides are included as well as their entire 1978 Animal Games album. In addition there are biographical notes and color photographs of the band's record sleeves. The album...
(1997 CD Captain Oi! Records) - Get out of London (Official bootleg live CD 2010)
Videography
- Everyone's A Winner - Director Mike Mansfield (1977 MCA Records)
- Animal Games - So It Goes. (1977 Granada Television)
- London Live at the Marquee - (1977 Italy)
- A collection of 'London' videos - (1977–2011)