Madness

Madness are a British pop group initially formed in 1976, and active as part of the 'Two-Tone' ska revival which took off in British pop culture in the late 1970s. The six-piece band named themselves as Madness in 1979, as homage to one of their favourite songs by ska/reggae artist Prince Buster.

The group lived up to their name with flamboyant and 'comic' live performances which translated to lively, humour-tinged songs written in the ska style with a pop cross-over. They also cultivated their image as the 'Nutty boys' as shown in press shots, record covers and videos of the band.

Madness had their first UK hit with The Prince in 1979 followed up by One Step Beyond which would become their signature tune. Their debut album of the same name reached no.2 in early 1980, fuelled by the success of third single My Girl which reached no.3. Their second album Absolutely also reached no.2 on its release in late 1980, spawning further hit singles Baggy Trousers and Embarrassment. A string of Top 10 hits followed on as the band established themselves as a solid recording and live act. Their first compilation Complete Madness went to no.1 in 1982, and in the same year the single House of Fun gave them their first and only no.1 hit.

Keep Moving was the band's fifth studio album, released in February 1984, and was their final album on the Stiff label. It's was also the band's last studio album to feature their keyboardist and founding member Mike Barson, before the band split in 1986.

A further compilation album Divine Madness, released in 1993, also went to no.1 in the UK as the band re-formed. They continue to play live and record and release new material.