Midge Ure
Classic Podcasts: Rock Star Interviews with Midge Ure
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RON LEEMAN INTERVIEWS… MIDGE URE OF ULTRAVOX
Here at Rokpool we have been given exclusive access to these amazing rare and unheard Rock Star interviews from the 80’s by interviewer Ron Leeman.
Recorded in Germany in the early 1980’s this is the original, un-edited interview which was subsequently edited to be broadcast on radio. The edited version was only broadcast once.
Classic Podcasts - SFX Issue 6
CLASSIC PODCASTS WITH ROKPOOL
SFX CASSETTE MAGAZINE ISSUE 6 SIDE 2
Here at Rokpool we have been given exclusive access to the amazing iconic 80’s audio magazine SFX by its creator Hugh Salmon.
Nicknamed ‘The only magazine on C-60’ SFX Cassette Magazine captures the essence of the 80’s perfectly.
ULTRAVOX
Rejecting the abrasive guitars of their punk-era contemporaries in favor of lushly romantic synthesizers, Ultravox emerged as one of the primary influences on the British electro-pop movement of the early '80s.
Formed in London in 1974, the group - originally dubbed Ultravox! - was led by vocalist and keyboardist John Foxx (born Dennis Leigh), whose interest in synths and cutting-edge technology began during his school years. With an initial line-up consisting of bassist Chris Cross, keyboardist/violinist Billy Currie, guitarist Steve Shears, and drummer Warren Cann, their obvious affection for the glam rock sound of David Bowie and Roxy Music brought them little respect from audiences caught up in the growing fervour of punk, but in 1977 Island Records signed the quintet anyway, with Brian Eno agreeing to produce the band's self-titled debut LP.
After scoring a minor U.K. hit with the single "My Sex," Ultravox returned later that year with Ha! Ha! Ha!; sales were minimal, however, and Shears soon exited, replaced by guitarist Robin Simon. A third LP, 1978's Systems of Romance, was recorded in Germany with renowned producer Conrad Plank, but no merchandise or t-shirt maker could generate enough excitement for the album, and it too failed commercially. Island soon dropped the band, at which time both Foxx and Simon quit, the former mounting a solo career and the latter joining Magazine.
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At that point the remaining members of Ultravox tapped singer/guitarist Midge Ure, an alumnus of Silk as well as Glen Matlock's Rich Kids; upon signing to Chrysalis, the new line-up recorded Vienna, scoring a surprise smash hit with the single "Sleepwalk," which reached the number two spot on the U.K. pop charts in 1981 and pushed the LP into the Top Five. The album's title track also fared well, peaking at number two on the charts and remaining there for several weeks.
After 1981's Rage in Eden, Ultravox teamed with legendary producer George Martin for 1983's Quartet; their most successful LP in the otherwise impenetrable American market, it launched the minor hit "Reap the Wild Wind." Upon completing 1984's Lament, Warren Cann left Ultravox to forge a solo career.
The remaining members, after adding Big Country's Mark Brzeicki, resurfaced with U-Vox in 1986 before going their separate ways. Currie and Simon re-formed the band in 1993, adding vocalist Marcus O’Higgins; three years later, they released the lack-luster Ingenuity with Sam Blue on lead vocals. The album marked the group's final studio release.
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
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Exclusive Rare, Un-Edited, Unheard Interview with Midge Ure
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Midge Ure
One half of the writer-duo behind the Band Aid hit, "Do They Know It's Christmas?", Midge Ure is a guitarist, singer, keyboard player, and songwriter. Midge Ure was highly popular during the '70s and '80s, when he worked with several bands including Slik, Thin Lizzy, The Rich Kids and Visage.
However, Midge Ure is best known as the frontman of the band "Ultravox". Funnily Midge, who was actually born Jim Ure, had to spell his name backwards to avoid himself being confused with Jim McGinlay, one of the owners of the band. He went on pursue a solo career in the mid '70s and worked with several pop and rock bands without the kind of success he was hoping for.
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Luck finally smiled on him in 1979 when he joined Ultravox. With such hit singles as "Vienna", "Sleepwalk", "Passing Strangers", and "All Stood Still", Ultravox quickly became one of Britain's most successful bands. In 1984, Ure co-wrote and produced the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" with Bob Geldof and co-organised both Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8 . The song earned him and Bob Geldof two Ivor Novello awards. When Ultravox folded in 1986, Ure went on to pursue a solo career. His singles like "If I Was" and "Call Of The Wild" and the album "The Gift" all charted successfully in the UK. In 1998, his single "Breathe" achieved phenomenal success in Europe and was popular owing to its use in a Swatch TV ad campaign. In 2005, Ure was awarded with an OBE for his contribution to music and charity.
Ure has been married twice. He has one daughter, Molly, from his first wife - actress and writer Annabel Giles and three daughters, Kitty, Ruby and Flossie from his second wife Sheridan Forbes.
Attached articles courtesy of Get Rhythm, November 2001.
Click here for a rare, un-edited, unheard interview with Midge Ure. This interview is totally raw and uncut. What that means is as it was recorded at the time without edits, so it contains everything from screw-ups, intro’s to tracks with no subsequent music, strange background noises, pregnant pauses and idle chatter but that is what makes it so unique. This interview has not seen the light of day in this format since it was recorded nearly 30 years ago.
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com.
