Michael J. Mullins
Encyclopedia
Michael J. Mullins is an English lead vocalist
, backing singer, and songwriter
best known as the lead singer of Salsa
band Modern Romance
(1982–85). Modern Romance achieved eight Top 40 singles and two hit albums. After the band called it quits in 1985, Mullins continued working within the music industry, most notably as a backing singer for Cliff Richard
: he can be seen singing with Cliff Richard
live on Top of the Pops
, for Christmas number one single
Mistletoe and Wine
(1988).
. He is thanked on the sleeve of their debut album, Adventures in Clubland
(1981), on which he provided vocals and guitar. During this time he also appeared with the band on episodes of Top of the Pops
, and provided further vocals on their single, By the Way (I'm Still in Love with You) (1982). The lead singer for Modern Romance was, at the time, Geoff Deane, who had formed the band with David Jaymes, two remnants of punk rock band The Leighton Buzzards. Modern Romance had reached #1 in Venezuela
with their album Adventures in Clubland
- which also earned them a Gold Disc there - and had scored four UK hits, Mullins often lending his vocals and talents as a musician to their live TV appearances and studio work. However, in 1982, Deane would leave the band to pursue a solo career.
for Modern Romance (band)
. Their first single - in what would become known as the Jaymes/Mullins era - climbed the UK charts, reaching the top-five. "Best Years of our Life" - which peaked at #4 in the UK - would be the band's highest charting single. They quickly followed-up Best Years ... with the similar sounding single, "High Life", which quickly climbed to the #8 position. Modern Romance were holding their own with bands like Duran Duran
and Spandau Ballet
, and a myriad TV and magazine appearances followed. They were regulars on Top of the Pops
and even made an appearance at the Royal Variety Performance
.
Modern Romance subsequently released their second studio album
titled Trick of the Light
(1983). The album was a success, reaching a respectable #53 on the UK Album Chart, and one significant change since the then new line-up was the re-recording of the single "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" [New Version], which was included on Trick of the Light, Mullins lending the song his softer vocals. The album itself has since made it into the Taschen
book, 1000 Record Covers, that showcases the most interesting and original vinyl cover art from the 1960s - 1990s (Mullins and David Jaymes grace the front cover of the album). The third single to be taken from this album - Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
(1983) - made the Top 20
, rising to #14. The last single - an uncharacteristic ballad called Walking in the Rain (1983 song) (1983) - settled again in the Top 10 at #7. Mullins toured with Modern Romance extensively, across Europe
and the Far East
. They picked-up silver and gold discs along the way, released the album Juanita (1983) in Japan
, and reached the #1 spot in Thailand
with Walking in the Rain (1983).
Despite Modern Romance becoming a big name in Pop music
, it seemed that David Jaymes and Mullins remained generally at the forefront. It was their faces that appeared on most of the album and single front covers, the rest of the band's photos could be found on the reverse. Vinyl
Picture disc
s of the singles "High Life" (1983) and Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
featured the faces and signatures of both Jaymes and Mullins (one on each side), and on the posters included with these singles. The pair also appeared in an article for the Tucker's Luck
TV annual titled Best 1980s Artifact; Mullins (and Jaymes) appeared alongside Nick Heyward
of Haircut One Hundred, Boy George
of Culture Club
, Simon Le Bon
of Duran Duran
, and Steve Norman
of Spandau Ballet
. By now, Mullins was prominent enough in the industy to make personal appearances on show like Mike Read
's Pop Quiz
, whilst the band as a whole enjoyed live performances on TV shows hosted by Kenny Everett
, Russell Harty
, and The Krankies
.
By Christmas
of what would become known as the Modern Romance watershed year - 1983 - they were ready to release the album, Party Tonight
, a compilation containing all the band's hits from both the Jaymes/Deane era and the Jaymes/Mullins era, as well as a handful of cover version
s and B-sides
s. Party Tonight
(1983) - produced by Tony Visconti
and released in the UK on the Ronco label - made a significant dent on the UK Album Chart, cracking the Top-50 at #45. Mullins' vocals could also be heard - along with the rest of the band - across the radio waves, as jingles for the Radio 1
evening show were adapted from various Modern Romance hits. The single, Good Friday / Good Feelings [re-mix] was released simultaneously and reached the UK #96 position. Both Party Tonight and Good Friday shared the same cover art, a photo still captured from the band's 1983 ITV
advert for Party Tonight. It was around this time that band member John Du Prez
went his own way and, taking stock of the poor success of the single Good Friday, Modern Romance decided it was time for a change in both image and music style.
The mid-eigthies, however, were not very kind to the band. Modern Romance began with their transformation, Mullins and the rest now sporting long hair and leather jackets. Their first single release in the new year was the cover version of the song Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)
(1984). But the record failed to chart, as did their third studio album
, Burn It!
(1984), and its subsequent singles: Burn It! (1984), That's What Friends Are For and, finally,Move On (1984). Something they had failed to do. The album featured more of an Electronic
-Dance music
sound in places, spiced with some soulful ballads, mainstream pop, and the Salsa music
tune, Move On, which looked back to their Salsa music days, sounding very much like "High Life", Best Years ..., and Good Friday
. Burn It!
was produced by Tony Visconti
and featured additional percussion by Luis Jardim
. They attempted another cover version - Tarzan Boy (1985) (1985) - and then released an anthology single, Best Mix of Our Lives
(1985), which contained the hit singles Everybody Salsa
, Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey
, High Life (1983 song), Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
, and Best Years of Our Lives (1982 song). The single was backed with Best Years of Our Lives [remix]. It reached the #81 position on the UK chart.
It was reported in a 1985 edition of The Sun newspaper - in the entertainment column - that Mullins was to quit Modern Romance. Many 1980s pop bands were suffering towards the close of the 1980s and it seemed that Modern Romance were unable to shake that Latin Beat. Mullins would turn full circle and return to the role of backing vocalist
.
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, backing singer, and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
best known as the lead singer of Salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
band Modern Romance
Modern Romance (band)
Modern Romance were a British pop music band that found popularity in the early 1980s. Formed in 1980 by previous members of an earlier punk rock band, The Leyton Buzzards, the band enjoyed a string of UK chart hits before they broke up in 1985...
(1982–85). Modern Romance achieved eight Top 40 singles and two hit albums. After the band called it quits in 1985, Mullins continued working within the music industry, most notably as a backing singer for Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
: he can be seen singing with Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
live on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
, for Christmas number one single
Christmas number one single
The Christmas number one single is a single that reaches number one on the national pop music charts in the week immediately prior to Christmas. It is primarily a pop culture phenomenon in the United Kingdom and in the neighboring Republic of Ireland....
Mistletoe and Wine
Mistletoe and Wine
"Mistletoe and Wine" is a popular single by Cliff Richard.Written by Jeremy Paul, Leslie Stewart and Keith Strachan, it was originally performed as part of the musical Scraps at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, London in 1976...
(1988).
Early music (1981-82)
Mullins began his music career as a backing vocalist and musician for Modern Romance (band)Modern Romance (band)
Modern Romance were a British pop music band that found popularity in the early 1980s. Formed in 1980 by previous members of an earlier punk rock band, The Leyton Buzzards, the band enjoyed a string of UK chart hits before they broke up in 1985...
. He is thanked on the sleeve of their debut album, Adventures in Clubland
Adventures in Clubland
Adventures in Clubland is the debut album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1981 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA, and in 2008 a CD reissue was released by Wounded Bird Records.-Track listing:...
(1981), on which he provided vocals and guitar. During this time he also appeared with the band on episodes of Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
, and provided further vocals on their single, By the Way (I'm Still in Love with You) (1982). The lead singer for Modern Romance was, at the time, Geoff Deane, who had formed the band with David Jaymes, two remnants of punk rock band The Leighton Buzzards. Modern Romance had reached #1 in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
with their album Adventures in Clubland
Adventures in Clubland
Adventures in Clubland is the debut album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1981 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA, and in 2008 a CD reissue was released by Wounded Bird Records.-Track listing:...
- which also earned them a Gold Disc there - and had scored four UK hits, Mullins often lending his vocals and talents as a musician to their live TV appearances and studio work. However, in 1982, Deane would leave the band to pursue a solo career.
Modern Romance (1982-85)
Following the departure of Geoff Deane in late 1982, the Jaymes/Deane era came to an end, and Mullins took over as Lead vocalistLead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
for Modern Romance (band)
Modern Romance (band)
Modern Romance were a British pop music band that found popularity in the early 1980s. Formed in 1980 by previous members of an earlier punk rock band, The Leyton Buzzards, the band enjoyed a string of UK chart hits before they broke up in 1985...
. Their first single - in what would become known as the Jaymes/Mullins era - climbed the UK charts, reaching the top-five. "Best Years of our Life" - which peaked at #4 in the UK - would be the band's highest charting single. They quickly followed-up Best Years ... with the similar sounding single, "High Life", which quickly climbed to the #8 position. Modern Romance were holding their own with bands like Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
and Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet are a British band formed in London in the late 1970s. Initially inspired by, and an integral part of, the New Romantic fashion, their music has featured a mixture of funk, jazz, soul and synthpop. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s, achieving ten Top Ten singles...
, and a myriad TV and magazine appearances followed. They were regulars on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
and even made an appearance at the Royal Variety Performance
Royal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance...
.
Modern Romance subsequently released their second studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
titled Trick of the Light
Trick of the Light (album)
Trick of the Light is the second album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA. A Japanese reissue on CD was released, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
(1983). The album was a success, reaching a respectable #53 on the UK Album Chart, and one significant change since the then new line-up was the re-recording of the single "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" [New Version], which was included on Trick of the Light, Mullins lending the song his softer vocals. The album itself has since made it into the Taschen
Taschen
Taschen is an art book publisher founded in 1980 by Benedikt Taschen in Cologne, Germany. It began as Taschen Comics publishing Benedikt's extensive comic collection...
book, 1000 Record Covers, that showcases the most interesting and original vinyl cover art from the 1960s - 1990s (Mullins and David Jaymes grace the front cover of the album). The third single to be taken from this album - Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
"Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" is a Top 20 single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch single, 7-inch picture disc, and 12-inch single by WEA...
(1983) - made the Top 20
Top 20
20 #1's Now is a 2007 compilation album by various artists and presented by reggaeton production duo Luny Tunes, released on November 20, 2007, by Machete Music.-Tracklist:# Welcome to My Crib – Randy "Nota Loka"...
, rising to #14. The last single - an uncharacteristic ballad called Walking in the Rain (1983 song) (1983) - settled again in the Top 10 at #7. Mullins toured with Modern Romance extensively, across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
. They picked-up silver and gold discs along the way, released the album Juanita (1983) in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and reached the #1 spot in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
with Walking in the Rain (1983).
Despite Modern Romance becoming a big name in Pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, it seemed that David Jaymes and Mullins remained generally at the forefront. It was their faces that appeared on most of the album and single front covers, the rest of the band's photos could be found on the reverse. Vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
Picture disc
Picture disc
Picture discs are gramophone records that show images on their playing surface, rather than being of plain black or coloured vinyl.-Development:...
s of the singles "High Life" (1983) and Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
"Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" is a Top 20 single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch single, 7-inch picture disc, and 12-inch single by WEA...
featured the faces and signatures of both Jaymes and Mullins (one on each side), and on the posters included with these singles. The pair also appeared in an article for the Tucker's Luck
Tucker's Luck
Tucker's Luck was a British television series made by the BBC between 1983 and 1985.The series is a spin-off from the school drama Grange Hill and capitalised on the popularity of one of the series' original characters — Peter "Tucker" Jenkins, played by Todd Carty.Tucker's Luck followed the...
TV annual titled Best 1980s Artifact; Mullins (and Jaymes) appeared alongside Nick Heyward
Nick Heyward
Nick Heyward is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for being the frontman of the early 1980s band Haircut One Hundred, and also had a briefly successful solo career after he left the band in 1983.-Haircut One Hundred:Nick Heyward formed Haircut One Hundred after the...
of Haircut One Hundred, 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...
of 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...
, Simon Le Bon
Simon Le Bon
Simon John Charles Le Bon is an English musician, best known as the lead singer, lyricist and musician of the band Duran Duran and its offshoot, Arcadia.-Early life:...
of Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, and Steve Norman
Steve Norman
Steve Norman is an English musician who plays saxophone, guitar, percussion, and other instruments, for Spandau Ballet.-Early career:Steve Norman was initially a guitarist in the group with Gary Kemp...
of Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet are a British band formed in London in the late 1970s. Initially inspired by, and an integral part of, the New Romantic fashion, their music has featured a mixture of funk, jazz, soul and synthpop. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s, achieving ten Top Ten singles...
. By now, Mullins was prominent enough in the industy to make personal appearances on show like Mike Read
Mike Read
Michael David Kenneth Read is an English radio disc jockey, writer, journalist and television presenter.-Early life:...
's Pop Quiz
Pop quiz
Pop Quiz was a British television quiz programme that originally aired on BBC1 from 4 July 1981 to 28 December 1984 with a Top of the Pops special from 4 January 1994 hosted by Mike Read, It was then revived from 21 May to 9 July 1994 on the same channel but this time hosted by Chris Tarrant, it...
, whilst the band as a whole enjoyed live performances on TV shows hosted by Kenny Everett
Kenny Everett
Kenny Everett was an English comedian, radio DJ and television entertainer. Born Maurice James Christopher Cole, Everett is best known for his career as a radio DJ and for the Kenny Everett television shows.-Early life:...
, Russell Harty
Russell Harty
Russell Harty was an English television presenter of arts programmes and chat shows.-Early life:Born Frederick Russell Harty in Blackburn, Lancashire, he was the son of a fruit and vegetable stallholder on the local market...
, and The Krankies
The Krankies
The Krankies are a Scottish comedy duo that enjoyed success as a cabaret act in the 1970s and on television in the 1980s, featuring in their own television shows and releasing their own music single. They entered semi-retirement in 1992, but they have regularly appeared in pantomime since.The duo...
.
By Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
of what would become known as the Modern Romance watershed year - 1983 - they were ready to release the album, Party Tonight
Party Tonight
Party Tonight is the third album by English band Modern Romance. It was a compilation album released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by Ronco. A Japanese reissue on LP was released, titled Juanita, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
, a compilation containing all the band's hits from both the Jaymes/Deane era and the Jaymes/Mullins era, as well as a handful of cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s and B-sides
B-Sides
B-Sides is an iTunes-exclusive album from the Coventry Trio The Enemy, consisting of ten songs that were B-sides to the single releases from their debut album We'll Live and Die in These Towns.-Track list:#Fear Killed the Youth of Our Nation...
s. Party Tonight
Party Tonight
Party Tonight is the third album by English band Modern Romance. It was a compilation album released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by Ronco. A Japanese reissue on LP was released, titled Juanita, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
(1983) - produced by Tony Visconti
Tony Visconti
Anthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer and sometimes a musician or singer.Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers; his lengthiest involvement with any artist is with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity to 2003's Reality, Visconti...
and released in the UK on the Ronco label - made a significant dent on the UK Album Chart, cracking the Top-50 at #45. Mullins' vocals could also be heard - along with the rest of the band - across the radio waves, as jingles for the Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
evening show were adapted from various Modern Romance hits. The single, Good Friday / Good Feelings [re-mix] was released simultaneously and reached the UK #96 position. Both Party Tonight and Good Friday shared the same cover art, a photo still captured from the band's 1983 ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
advert for Party Tonight. It was around this time that band member John Du Prez
John Du Prez
John Du Prez is a musician, conductor, and composer. Du Prez was a member of the 1980s multi-hit Salsa-driven pop band Modern Romance and has since written several Film scores including Oxford Blues and the final Carry On film, Carry On Columbus...
went his own way and, taking stock of the poor success of the single Good Friday, Modern Romance decided it was time for a change in both image and music style.
The mid-eigthies, however, were not very kind to the band. Modern Romance began with their transformation, Mullins and the rest now sporting long hair and leather jackets. Their first single release in the new year was the cover version of the song Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)
Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)
"Just My Imagination " is a song by American soul group The Temptations. Released on the Gordy label, and produced by Norman Whitfield, it features on the group's 1971 album, Sky's the Limit. When released as a single, "Just My Imagination" became the third Temptations song to reach number one on...
(1984). But the record failed to chart, as did their third studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Burn It!
Burn It!
Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
(1984), and its subsequent singles: Burn It! (1984), That's What Friends Are For and, finally,Move On (1984). Something they had failed to do. The album featured more of an Electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
-Dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
sound in places, spiced with some soulful ballads, mainstream pop, and the Salsa music
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
tune, Move On, which looked back to their Salsa music days, sounding very much like "High Life", Best Years ..., and Good Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
. Burn It!
Burn It!
Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
was produced by Tony Visconti
Tony Visconti
Anthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer and sometimes a musician or singer.Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers; his lengthiest involvement with any artist is with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity to 2003's Reality, Visconti...
and featured additional percussion by Luis Jardim
Luís Jardim
Luís Alberto Figueira Gonçalves Jardim is a Portuguese percussionist, born in the Madeira Island, best known for his work with producer Trevor Horn.-Family:Jardim is a cousin of Alberto João Jardim...
. They attempted another cover version - Tarzan Boy (1985) (1985) - and then released an anthology single, Best Mix of Our Lives
Best Mix of Our Lives
"Best Mix of Our Lives" is the final single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA.-12-inch single:*Best Mix of Our Lives*Best Years of Our Lives [extended re-mix]Broken Down...
(1985), which contained the hit singles Everybody Salsa
Everybody Salsa
"Everybody Salsa" is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was their first UK chart entry in 1981, reaching No. 12. It was released as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA Records...
, Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey
Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey
"Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey" is a single by UK band Modern Romance. It was their second UK chart entry in 1981, reaching No. 10. It was released as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA Records...
, High Life (1983 song), Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm
"Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" is a Top 20 single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch single, 7-inch picture disc, and 12-inch single by WEA...
, and Best Years of Our Lives (1982 song). The single was backed with Best Years of Our Lives [remix]. It reached the #81 position on the UK chart.
It was reported in a 1985 edition of The Sun newspaper - in the entertainment column - that Mullins was to quit Modern Romance. Many 1980s pop bands were suffering towards the close of the 1980s and it seemed that Modern Romance were unable to shake that Latin Beat. Mullins would turn full circle and return to the role of backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
.
Albums (Modern Romance)
- Adventures in ClublandAdventures in ClublandAdventures in Clubland is the debut album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1981 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA, and in 2008 a CD reissue was released by Wounded Bird Records.-Track listing:...
(1981) (Backing vocals, GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Thanked on Sleeve) VenezuelaVenezuelaVenezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
#1 [Certified Gold] - Trick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light is the second album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA. A Japanese reissue on CD was released, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
(1983) [compilation] UK #45 - Party TonightParty TonightParty Tonight is the third album by English band Modern Romance. It was a compilation album released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by Ronco. A Japanese reissue on LP was released, titled Juanita, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
(1983) UK #53 - Juanita [Japan] [compilation] (1983)
- Burn It!Burn It!Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
(1985) - Modern Romance: The Platinum Collection [compilation] (2006)
Singles (Modern Romance)
- By the Way (I'm Still In Love With You) [backing vocals] (1982)
- Best Years of Our Lives (1982 song) (1982) UK #4
- High Life (1983 song) (1983) UK #8
- Don't Stop That Crazy RhythmDon't Stop That Crazy Rhythm"Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" is a Top 20 single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch single, 7-inch picture disc, and 12-inch single by WEA...
(1983) UK #14 - Walking in the Rain (1983 song) (1983) UK #7 Thailand #1
- Good Friday (1983 song) /Good Feelings [re-mix] (1983) UK #96
- Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)"Just My Imagination " is a song by American soul group The Temptations. Released on the Gordy label, and produced by Norman Whitfield, it features on the group's 1971 album, Sky's the Limit. When released as a single, "Just My Imagination" became the third Temptations song to reach number one on...
(1984) - Burn It! (single) (1984)
- Move On (1984 single) (1984)
- That's What Friends Are For (1984 song) (1984)
- Tarzan Boy (1985) (1985)
- Best Mix of Our LivesBest Mix of Our Lives"Best Mix of Our Lives" is the final single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA.-12-inch single:*Best Mix of Our Lives*Best Years of Our Lives [extended re-mix]Broken Down...
(1985) UK #81
Songwriting credits
- Walking in the Rain (1983 song) / Walking in the Rain (Blues) - Single (1983) UK #7 Thailand #1
- Good Friday (1983 song) - Single (1983) UK #96
- After All This Time - Album Track - Trick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light is the second album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA. A Japanese reissue on CD was released, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
(1983) - Leave Me On My Own - Album Track - Trick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light is the second album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA. A Japanese reissue on CD was released, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
(1983) - Burn It! (single) - Single (1984)
- Move On (1984 single) - Single (1984)
- That's What Friends Are For (1984 song) - Single (1984)
- That's Entertainment - Album Track - Burn It!Burn It!Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
(1984) - I'll Always Remember You - Album Track - Burn It!Burn It!Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
(1984) - Keep A Candle Burning - Album Track - Burn It!Burn It!Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
(1984) - Take Another Look - Album Track - Burn It!Burn It!Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
(1984) - Wasting Away - Album Track - Burn It!Burn It!Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
(1984) - Burn It! (single) [reprise] - Album Track - Burn It!Burn It!Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
(1984)
Self
- The Keith Harris Show episode #1.4 (1982)
- The KrankiesThe KrankiesThe Krankies are a Scottish comedy duo that enjoyed success as a cabaret act in the 1970s and on television in the 1980s, featuring in their own television shows and releasing their own music single. They entered semi-retirement in 1992, but they have regularly appeared in pantomime since.The duo...
Klub episode #1.0 with Modern Romance (1982) - Top of the PopsTop of the PopsTop of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
[December 2] with Modern Romance Best Years ... (1982) - The KrankiesThe KrankiesThe Krankies are a Scottish comedy duo that enjoyed success as a cabaret act in the 1970s and on television in the 1980s, featuring in their own television shows and releasing their own music single. They entered semi-retirement in 1992, but they have regularly appeared in pantomime since.The duo...
Klub episode #1.1 with Modern Romance (1983) - The KrankiesThe KrankiesThe Krankies are a Scottish comedy duo that enjoyed success as a cabaret act in the 1970s and on television in the 1980s, featuring in their own television shows and releasing their own music single. They entered semi-retirement in 1992, but they have regularly appeared in pantomime since.The duo...
Klub episode #1.4 with Modern Romance (1983) - Crackerjack (TV series) [unknown episodes] with Modern Romance (1983)
- The Kenny EverettKenny EverettKenny Everett was an English comedian, radio DJ and television entertainer. Born Maurice James Christopher Cole, Everett is best known for his career as a radio DJ and for the Kenny Everett television shows.-Early life:...
Television Show [unknown episodes] with Modern Romance and Cleo RocosCleo RocosCleo Rocos is a UK-based comedy actress and television/theatre producer and presenter, best known for appearing on The Kenny Everett Television Show. She is of Greek and English descent...
(1983) - Rod and Emu's Saturday Special episode #1.2 with Modern Romance (1983)
- Top of the PopsTop of the PopsTop of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
[unknown episodes] (1982–83) - Pop QuizPop quizPop Quiz was a British television quiz programme that originally aired on BBC1 from 4 July 1981 to 28 December 1984 with a Top of the Pops special from 4 January 1994 hosted by Mike Read, It was then revived from 21 May to 9 July 1994 on the same channel but this time hosted by Chris Tarrant, it...
September 25 - Team David GilmourDavid GilmourDavid Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
, Maggie (Swans Way (band)Swans Way (band)Swans Way was a three-piece UK pop group. In addition to the future Scarlet Fantastic duo of Maggie De Monde and Rick P. Jones , Swans Way featured the vocals of Robert Shaw. They formed in Birmingham in 1982...
), Mullins (1984)
Music videos
- Don't Stop That Crazy RhythmDon't Stop That Crazy Rhythm"Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" is a Top 20 single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch single, 7-inch picture disc, and 12-inch single by WEA...
with Modern Romance (1983) - Walking in the Rain (1983 song) with Modern Romance (1983)
- Mistletoe and WineMistletoe and Wine"Mistletoe and Wine" is a popular single by Cliff Richard.Written by Jeremy Paul, Leslie Stewart and Keith Strachan, it was originally performed as part of the musical Scraps at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, London in 1976...
with Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
- Live on Top of the PopsTop of the PopsTop of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
(1988)
Live appearances
- Knebworth Festival with Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
[backing vocals] June 30, 1990 [as Mick Mullins] - Live and Kicking Tour with Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
[backing vocals] April/May, 2004 [as Mick Mullins]
Videos featuring Mullins
- Best Years of Our Lives - Top of the Pops - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i8VE0TAbF0 (1982)
- Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Top of the Pops - Mullins on Guitar - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRciN-ivhDs (1982)
- Walking in the Rain - Top of the Pops - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iVmSmGjm-o (1983)
- Walking in the Rain - Official Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeTY5KFzdXE (1983)
- Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm - Official Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80fOoYwwRNM (1983)
- Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm - Top of the Pops - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tDXC9ncK88 (1983)
- High Life - [unknown venue] - Trick of the Light suits - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glTCqHLRYYs&feature=related (1983)
- Mullins on Pop Quiz [part 1-4 available] - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro_77wdDKGM (1984)
- Cliff Richard - Mistletoe & Wine - Top of the Pops - Mullins as Backing Vocalist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro_77wdDKGM (1988)
See also
- John Du PrezJohn Du PrezJohn Du Prez is a musician, conductor, and composer. Du Prez was a member of the 1980s multi-hit Salsa-driven pop band Modern Romance and has since written several Film scores including Oxford Blues and the final Carry On film, Carry On Columbus...
of Modern Romance - Geoff Deane of Modern Romance
- Modern Romance (band)Modern Romance (band)Modern Romance were a British pop music band that found popularity in the early 1980s. Formed in 1980 by previous members of an earlier punk rock band, The Leyton Buzzards, the band enjoyed a string of UK chart hits before they broke up in 1985...
- Best Years of Our Lives (1982 song)
- High Life (1983 song)
- Don't Stop That Crazy RhythmDon't Stop That Crazy Rhythm"Don't Stop That Crazy Rhythm" is a Top 20 single from UK band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 as a 7-inch single, 7-inch picture disc, and 12-inch single by WEA...
- Walking in the Rain (1983 song)
- Good Friday (1983 song)
- Party TonightParty TonightParty Tonight is the third album by English band Modern Romance. It was a compilation album released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by Ronco. A Japanese reissue on LP was released, titled Juanita, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
- Trick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light (album)Trick of the Light is the second album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1983 on LP and Cassette tape by WEA. A Japanese reissue on CD was released, but is long out of print.-Track listing:...
- Burn It!Burn It!Burn It! is the third studio album by English band Modern Romance. It was released in 1985 on LP and Cassette tape by RCA and has not since been reissued. Although the record sleeve states the LP was released in 1985, the label on the actual LP is dated 1984...
- Modern Romance (band)Modern Romance (band)Modern Romance were a British pop music band that found popularity in the early 1980s. Formed in 1980 by previous members of an earlier punk rock band, The Leyton Buzzards, the band enjoyed a string of UK chart hits before they broke up in 1985...
- IMDB - Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2167905/J - John Du PrezJohn Du PrezJohn Du Prez is a musician, conductor, and composer. Du Prez was a member of the 1980s multi-hit Salsa-driven pop band Modern Romance and has since written several Film scores including Oxford Blues and the final Carry On film, Carry On Columbus...
- IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006047/ - David Jaymes - IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1659850/
- Modern Romance (band)Modern Romance (band)Modern Romance were a British pop music band that found popularity in the early 1980s. Formed in 1980 by previous members of an earlier punk rock band, The Leyton Buzzards, the band enjoyed a string of UK chart hits before they broke up in 1985...
- Discogs Website - http://www.discogs.com/artist/Modern+Romance - Modern Romance (band)Modern Romance (band)Modern Romance were a British pop music band that found popularity in the early 1980s. Formed in 1980 by previous members of an earlier punk rock band, The Leyton Buzzards, the band enjoyed a string of UK chart hits before they broke up in 1985...
- Chart Stats Website - http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=3491