The
Beautiful South were formed by Singer/Songwriter Paul Heaton after the break up of his
previous group, The Housemartins. Paul was joined by former Housemartins drummer Dave
Hemingway, Who's role was now to be an additional vocalist. Dave Rotheray joined the group
and became Pauls co-songwriter, With Heaton providing the lyrics and Rotheray the music.
The band was completed with Briana Corrigan coming in as the third vocalist, Sean Welch
(Bassist) and Former Housemartins roadie Dave Stead (Drummer).
Paul Heaton and Dave Rotheray have become one of Britain's most successful
partnerships since John Lennon & Paul McCartney, 
Carry On Up The Charts became the third fastest
selling album in the UK in 1994 selling over 3 million copies and stayed at number one for
6 consecutive weeks. Blue Is The Colour also went platinum selling over 2 million copies.
The duo are continuing their success with the release of Quench, Which has already
produced two hit singles "Perfect 10" and "Dumb". And with an upcoming
European and UK tour the success is sure to continue.
"Song For Whoever", The groups first single, was released in 1989
and climbed to number 2 in the charts. This was followed by "You Keep It All In"
which reached No. 8. Later that year the debut album "Welcome
To The Beautiful South" was released.
"Choke" was released in 1990, but didn't quite match up to their debut album in terms of sales, However this album did manage to bring the bands first number 1 hit with "A Little Time"
The bands third album "0898" continued the Beautiful South's success in the UK, However after the album was released in 1992 vocalist Briana Corrigan left the group, reports suggest she was upset with some of Pauls lyrics, and she was replaced with Jacqueline Abbot.
Jacqueline made her first appearance on the bands fourth album "Miaow" (1994) singing "Everybody's
Talkin'", Although the band had been successful to date, Nothing had quite prepared
them for the release of their "Best Of" album "Carry
On Up The Charts" which was to be released later that same year.
"Carry On Up The Charts" entered the charts at number one and stayed there for several months, Becoming the third fastest selling albums in the UK. The album went platinum and became one of the most popular albums in Britain. The album was also release as a limited edition which contained a second CD of some of their more popular B-Sides.
1996 saw the release of "Blue Is The
Colour" the bands sixth
album. This album produced singles such as
"Rotterdam", "Don't Marry Her", "Liars' Bar" and
"Blackbird On The Wire". Blue is the Colour has sold over 2 million copies so
far.
The bands success continued in 1998 with the release of
"Perfect
10" the first single from their new album "Quench".
"Perfect 10" was nominated for "Best Single" at the 1999 Brit awards,
And The Beautiful South were nominated for "Best British Group".
Following several concert cancellations during 1999 due to illness, Paul
Heaton took a break in Alghero, Sardinia this is where he begain the next album by writing
the track "Chicken Wings". Paul then visited Holland and Germany to finish off
lyrics for a new album. Dave Rotheray then joined Heaton and the pair took time out to
compile their next set of hits. During there standard songwriting holiday, this time in
Seville, the most successful songwriting pair since Lennon & McCartney churned out an
amazing 30 new tracks. With the next album coming out as a Limited Edition 20 Track Double
CD.
Painting It Red was the bands choice of title
for the new album, also available as a standard 19 Track single CD, and was released in
October 2000. The tone of the new album reflected the ageing of the band along with
Heatons decision to come off the booze.
Tunes like "The Mediterranean" showed how Paul was cleaning up his act and now the only drug he needed was "The reliable Mediterranean", Paul was amazed with the beauty of the ocean and realised there was more to life than sitting in a pub.
Another track from the album "Till You Cant Tuck It In" is a duet with Heaton and Jacqui Abbot trading verses, The track was inspired by Paul noticing his first grey hair appearing on his head.
Closer Than Most, The debut single from Painting it red was released in September 2000, But charted at just #22. This was followed by an even worse single (chart wise) is the form of a "double A side" featuring The River and Just Checkin.
The
year 2000 also brought sad times for the fans and the band themselves, after just the
second date of an American tour Jacqui Abbot left the band and returned to the UK. The
reasons for Jacqui's sudden departure after the Philadelphia gig on 20th October 2000 are
still unknown.
The band continued the tour as a "Boy Band" and it is thought this is how they will stay, And with Mr. Heaton writing new material it certainly hasn't spelt the end for The Beautiful South.
2001
spelt a quiet time for the Beauitul South following Jaqui's deartue, Even though
A second Greatest Hits album "Solid Bronze" was released and was complimented
with a single "The Root Of All Evil". The album entered the charts
at number 10 and remained in the top 20 for a further 4 weeks. However the single
failed to even break into the top 50. There were no tours by the band and rumors
were rife that the band were set to split.
Though
things were quiet with the Beautiful South, not all was quiet for singers Paul
Heaton and Dave Hemingway. Both singers persued other interests and recorded
solo albums. Paul initially released Fat Chance under the name Biscuit Boy however
the album failed to make an impact on the UK charts. A single "Mitch"
was also released which also failed to chart well. Dave Hemingway recorded an
album which initially went by the name Zoopanzee but was later re-named Land
Of Green Ginger. The album didnt manage to get a label and was not released.
(More Biscuit Boy Information)
Paul decided to re-release his solo album in July of 2002, This time losing the name Biscuit Boy and releasing Fat Chance under his own name "Paul Heaton", A tour was also planned to co-incide with the release and Perfect Couple was chose as the next single. Dave Hemingway is still looking to release his album and has appeared on local radio to try and promote the tracks.
The Beautiful South Are:
And Were:
Briana Corrigan, Vocals
Jacqui Abbott, Vocals