Ultravox! - first formation (l.-r. Cross, Shears, Cann, Foxx, Currie)
Ultravox in 1980 (l.-r. Cann, Ure, Cross, Currie)
Ultravox, formerly known as Ultravox!, are a post-punk / new wave group from the UK. Originally known as Tiger Lily, the group was founded in 1974 by art student John Foxx who became the lead singer and frontman. He was joined by bassist Chris Cross, keyboard player Billy Currie, guitarist Stevie Shears and drummer Warren Cann. Shears was replaced by Robin Simon in 1978.
After three albums on Island Records, Foxx left the group in early 1979, and together with Simon (who joined Magazine) was replaced by guitarist and vocalist Midge Ure, formerly of Slik and Rich Kids. Ultravox then entered their most successful commercial phase with the album Vienna in 1980 (with the title track reaching no. 2 in 1981), followed by Rage in Eden (1981), Quartet (1982), and Lament (1984). Led by Ure, co-founder of the Band Aid project in 1984, the group performed at Live Aid the following year.
After various divisions, some mostly unsuccessful releases, and a final dissolution of the group in 1988, Billy Currie continued to record and release new material with Tony Fennell as lead singer under the Ultravox name during the 1990s.
Ure, Currie, Cann and Cross reformed in 2009 for live performances. A live album Return to Eden featuring performances of Vienna and Rage tracks was released in 2010. Ultravox's latest studio album Brilliant was released in 2012. Midge Ure has continued to perform Ultravox songs live, together with his own material.
Chris Cross died in March 2024, aged 71.
Discography[]
UK only (condensed; many compilation albums have been released, see Musicbrainz link below for complete list)
| Album | Singles |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TV[]
- 05 December 1978
- TV debut on Old Grey Whistle Test
- 14 August 1980: debut Top of the Pops appearance with Sleepwalk, reaches no. 29 in UK chart.
- 12 November 1981: TOTP - The Voice
Radio[]
- 31 January 1981: Concert at Paris Theatre, London, BBC R1 In Concert. (rpt. 15 August ) [1]