Flashback 12

"Band members Paul Heaton, Dave
Hemingway, Sean Welch and David Stead took time out form rehearsing to try their hand at karting at the Kingston Karting Centre"

After The Housemartins of the 1980's came The Beautiful South to continue keeping Hull's flag flying high in the pop music world throughout the next decade. As the 1990's got under way the lineup of The Beautiful South was Paul Heaton, Dave Hemingway from the former group The Housemartins, Dave Stead (the drummer who once played with Bridlington-based group Generator), guitarist Dave Rotheray (who was formerly with the Hull group The Velevtones), Bass player Sean Welch and singer Briana Corrigan. The decade started for the group with a number one hit in the charts in October 1990 A Little Time, then an accident during a concert in Brussels towards then end of December when drummer Dave Stead's leg was broken by a gong which fell to the ground during the show. It meant the group had to cancel their hristmas show in Hull. That show was rescheduled for the middle of May

"The Beautiful South play Hull City Hall on 16th May 1991"

1991. They smashed the City Hall box office record by selling out in under 2 and half hours. A new singer, 19 year old Jacqueline Abbott, had joined by March 1994, Briana had left the group earlier that year to persue a solo career, and it was said "due to differences over 'lyrical content" On Monday December 19 1994, came a gig at the Humberside Ice Arena as the last date of a tour which included Brixton Academy and Blackpool's Empress Ballroom. Another show followed at the same venue the next night. The groups manager Paul Thompson had said that poor accoustics were the main reason they were unhappy to play another gig at the City Hall. Safety work at the arena meant there could be a 4,000 capacity. When the venue and date were announced the groups latest single,

"The Beautiful South play Hull City Hall on 16th May 1991"

Everybodys Talkin, was in the top 20 at number 14. In 1994 their greatest hits LP Carry On Up The Charts hit number one spot. The album sold a million copies that year, and was said to be the third fastest-selling album of all time. By mid-June the next year the album had sold two million copies in Britain alone.

The following month they headlined The Feldh festival in Finsbury Park ahead of Van Morrison and Sinead O'Connor. The festival was usually a celebration of Irish music and culture. That year The Beautiful South did a version of the Mamas and Papas' song Dream a little Dream for inclusion in the Meg Ryan film Franch Kiss. It as available in Britain on the sound track album of the film. In September 1995 came news that they were set for a tour of the United States, and in November that same year guitarist Dave Rotheray was taken to Solihull Hospital with a fratured left elbow after falling over as he walked off stage at the end of a sell-out show at the Birmingham NEC. He was substitued by Spike Edney for other dates. He had previously played with American soul singer George Benson. They were already missing Jackie Abbott who was due to give birth. In August 1996 The Beautiful Souths manager Paul Thompson (35) announced he was leaving his job. He was also leaving his Westbourne Avenue, Hull, home with his family to start a new life in rurla North Wales. "The reason why I'm leaving the job are quite complicated but its mainly because I've got fed up with the music business" he said. "A lot of my time is taken up with arguing with lawyers about money. Also I've done the job for 10 years. Its stressful at times and there are long periods when the band has taken up all my time" "I've had a brilianttime with the band and

we've always had a good working relationship, but I thought the time was right to leave" He had started managing The HOusemartins in 1986 and joined The Beautiful South in 1989. During his time as manager with them he had seen two number one singles with The Beautiful South and the sale of millions of albums around the world.
Simon Moran, owner of Manchester-based concert promoters SJM stepped in to work with the band but not as full-time manager. In October that same year the band crashed into the top ten with their new single Rotterdam.