Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack, 2003
Background information
Born	April 22, 1951 (1951-04-22) (age 56)
Origin	Sheffield, England
Years active	1960s - present
Associated acts	Warm Dust, Ace, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics
Website	carrack-uk.com

Paul Carrack (born April 22, 1951 in Sheffield, England) is an English keyboardist, singer and songwriter. Carrack has had multiple careers which have overlapped over the last three-plus decades. He has been a member of several bands including Ace, Squeeze, and Mike + The Mechanics, been a session and touring musician for several others, and has enjoyed success as a solo artist as well. His distinctive voice shows up on some of his affiliated bands' best-known hits. Image File history File links Carrack-sized. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... This article is about the city in England. ... Ace were a British rock music band who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. ... For other uses, see Squeeze (disambiguation). ... Mike + The Mechanics are an English rock/pop band formed in 1985 as a side-project of Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis, that became a successful band in its own right. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the city in England. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Ace were a British rock music band who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. ... For other uses, see Squeeze (disambiguation). ... Mike + The Mechanics are an English rock/pop band formed in 1985 as a side-project of Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis, that became a successful band in its own right. ...

Career Overview

The 1970s: Warm Dust to Ace to Roxy Music

Carrack's recording career began with the progressive rock band Warm Dust, who released 3 albums of original material between 1970 and 1972. Carrack was the keyboard player for Warm Dust, and occasionally played other instruments as well, but he was not the band's lead vocalist. For the Swedish political music movement, see progg. ... Warm Dust is an early 1970s jazz rock combo featuring Paul Carrack and Les Walker. ...

After Warm Dust broke up, Carrack and Warm Dust bassist Tex Comer helped to found the pub rock band Ace. Carrack wrote and sang "How Long", Ace's debut single and a hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1975. However, no further Ace recordings caught on. Revival of the Pub Rock Scene made popular by Dire Straits and Elvis Costello. ... Ace were a British rock music band who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. ... Ace were a British rock music band who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ace were a British rock music band who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. ...

In 1977 Ace disbanded and Carrack began working as a backing musician for Frankie Miller. This was followed by a turn as a member of Roxy Music, playing keyboards on their 1979 reunion album Manifesto. Carrack would also play on the next two Roxy Music albums, but as a session musician, not a band member. Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Ace were a British rock music band who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. ... Francis John Frankie Miller (born 2 November 1949, in Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland) is a Scottish rock singer/songwriter, who had moderate success in the 1970s with a gritty voice similar to Rod Stewart or Joe Cocker. ... Roxy Music are an English art rock group founded in the early 1970s by art school graduate Bryan Ferry (vocals and keyboards). ... Manifesto is the sixth studio album by Roxy Music and was released in 1979. ... Roxy Music are an English art rock group founded in the early 1970s by art school graduate Bryan Ferry (vocals and keyboards). ...

The 1980s: Squeezing a solo career around other band commitments

The band Squeeze during its East Side Story period. L-R: John Bentley, Glenn Tilbrook, Paul Carrack, Gilson Lavis, Chris Difford

Shortly after leaving Roxy Music full time, Carrack issued his first solo album, 1980s Nightbird. It was not a commercial success. Image File history File links Squeeze80. ... Image File history File links Squeeze80. ... For other uses, see Squeeze (disambiguation). ... East Side Story is the fourth studio album by New Wave group Squeeze. ... Roxy Music are an English art rock group founded in the early 1970s by art school graduate Bryan Ferry (vocals and keyboards). ...

1n 1981, Glenn Tilbrook recruited Carrack to join Squeeze as a replacement for long-time keyboardist Jools Holland. This new Squeeze line-up achieved international success with the album East Side Story, on which Carrack sang their biggest US hit to that time, "Tempted." But by 1982, Carrack had left the band, and had been replaced in Squeeze by keyboardist, the legendary Don Snow. Glenn Tilbrook, born in South East London on August 31, 1957, was the lead singer of the British group Squeeze, a power pop band formed in the mid-1960s. ... For other uses, see Squeeze (disambiguation). ... Julian Miles Holland, OBE, DL (born 24 January 1958 in Blackheath, South East London) is an English virtuoso pianist, bandleader, television presenter, architectural eccentric and pop music enthusiast. ... For other uses, see Squeeze (disambiguation). ... East Side Story is the fourth studio album by New Wave group Squeeze. ... For other uses, see Squeeze (disambiguation). ...

Beginning in late 1981, Carrack had joined up with Nick Lowe in a band that featured Lowe, Carrack, Martin Belmont on guitar, James Eller on bass and Bobby Irwin on drums. This band, referred to as Noise To Go, existed to back both Carrack on his solo recordings, and Lowe on his. (This was similar to the arrangement Lowe had with Dave Edmunds and Rockpile in the late 1970s.) "Noise To Go" also backed Lowe's wife Carlene Carter on her 1981 album Blue Nun. Bowi EP sleeve (1977). ... Dave Edmunds (born April 15, 1944) is a singer, guitarist and producer from Cardiff, Wales. ... Rockpile was a British rock group noted for strong rockabilly and power pop influences. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Blue Nun is a brand of German wine, specifically Liebfraumilch. ...

After Carrack's 1982 solo album Suburban Voodoo, Eller left Noise To Go, and Nick Lowe took over bass duties within the group. The group was rechristened Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit, and recorded two albums from 1983 to 1985, with Lowe handling all the lead vocals. They also played behind John Hiatt on side two of Hiatt's 1983 album Riding With The King. Bowi EP sleeve (1977). ... John Hiatt (born August 20, 1952 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA) is an American rock guitarist, pianist, singer, and songwriter. ... Riding With The King was singer-songwriter John Hiatts sixth album, released in 1983. ...

During this era, Carrack also kept himself busy with session work for The Smiths and The Pretenders. The Smiths were an English rock band active from 1982 to 1987. ... The Pretenders are an Anglo-American rock band. ...

Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit dissolved in 1985, but around the same time, Carrack was contacted by Mike Rutherford (of Genesis) and asked to join Rutherford's new side project, Mike + The Mechanics. Initially, Carrack was one of two alternating lead vocalists for the group. He sang lead on their 1985 hit "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)". Bowi EP sleeve (1977). ... Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford (born October 2, 1950 in Guildford, Surrey) is an English musician. ... Genesis is an English rock band formed in 1967. ... Mike + The Mechanics are an English rock/pop band formed in 1985 as a side-project of Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis, that became a successful band in its own right. ...

In 1986, Carrack was a member of Roger Waters' newly-formed backing band, "The Bleeding Hearts Band", recording tracks for the soundtrack of the film When The Wind Blows. The following year, Waters (still accompanied by Carrack and the Bleeding Hearts) released a solo album, Radio KAOS, and toured the US and Europe. Carrack often filled in as an unofficial support act on the tour, usually playing "Tempted" to warm up the crowd. George Roger Waters (born September 6, 1943) is an English rock musician; singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and composer. ... When the Wind Blows For the novel by James Patterson, see When the Wind Blows (James Patterson) When the Wind Blows (1982) is a graphic novel, by British artist Raymond Briggs, that shows a nuclear attack on Britain by the Soviet Union from the viewpoint of a retired couple, Jim... Radio K.A.O.S. is a 1987 concept album album by former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters. ...

Leveraging the success of Mike + The Mechanics, Carrack was able to reestablish his solo career in 1987 with the hit album One Good Reason, and the accompanying hit single "Don't Shed A Tear". From this point forward, Carrack usually managed to maintain both a solo career and a career in Mike + The Mechanics, a band which recorded and toured irregularly due to Rutherford's commitments to Genesis. Mike + The Mechanics are an English rock/pop band formed in 1985 as a side-project of Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis, that became a successful band in its own right. ... Mike + The Mechanics are an English rock/pop band formed in 1985 as a side-project of Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis, that became a successful band in its own right. ... Genesis is an English rock band formed in 1967. ...

In 1989, Mike + The Mechanics had a UK No. 2 and US No. 1 hit with the "The Living Years", on which Carrack again sang lead. Also in 1989, Carrack recorded a duet with Terri Nunn from the Los Angeles-based synth-pop band Berlin entitled "Romance". The song appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Sing, starring Peter Dobson and Lorraine Bracco. The Living Years is the only number one song recorded by Mike & the Mechanics. ... Terri Nunn (born June 26, 1961 in Los Angeles, California) is an American actress and singer. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Not to be confused with the band Anberlin. ... Peter Dobson is an American actor who has appeared in Drowning Mona, The Frighteners, The Poseidon Adventure, and the film adaptation of Last Exit to Brooklyn. ... Lorraine Bracco (born October 2, 1954[1]) is an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominated and Screen Actors Guild winning American actress best known for her roles as Karen Hill in Goodfellas and Dr. Jennifer Melfi on the hit HBO TV series, The Sopranos. ...

The 1990s: Sessions, solo work, Squeeze (again) and Spin 1ne 2wo

In the 1990s, Carrack's solo career went into abeyance for a few years, although he maintained a career as a session musician for hire. He also continued working with Mike + The Mechanics, who continued to record through the 1990s. During this era, Carrack assumed keyboard duties within the band, and also began to co-compose some of the band's songs with Rutherford. Mike + The Mechanics are an English rock/pop band formed in 1985 as a side-project of Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis, that became a successful band in its own right. ...

In 1990, Carrack was recruited to perform in the groundbreaking live stage show of The Wall in Berlin by Roger Waters. He performed "Hey You" to the crowd of 250,000. For other Pink Floyd works based around this album, see The Wall (Pink Floyd). ... This article is about the capital of Germany. ... Hey You is a song by the British progressive rock band Pink Floyd. ...

In 1993, Carrack joined with bassist Tony Levin, drummer Steve Ferrone, guitarist Phil Palmer and keyboardist/producer Rupert Hine to form a band known as Spin 1ne 2wo. They released one album, a self-titled project, made up of classic rock covers including songs by Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Blind Faith, Steely Dan and Bob Dylan. Tony Levin (born June 6, 1946, Boston, Massachusetts) is an influential American bass player. ... Steve Ferrone (born April 25, 1950 in Brighton) is an English drummer. ... Phil Palmer is a session guitarist in jazz and rock who has worked with numerous artists, including the Pet Shop Boys, Wishbone Ash (1986 touring), Joan Armatrading, Eric Clapton, Dire Straits, Tina Turner, Chris de Burgh, Bryan Adams, George Michael and Melanie C. He often works with producer Trevor Horn. ... Rupert Hine (full name Rupert Neville Hine) is an English musician and also a prolific producer in the synth pop era, helming albums such as Tina Turners Private Dancer, Howard Joness Humans Lib, Sagas Worlds Apart, and The Fixx Reach the Beach. ... Phil Palmer is a session guitarist in jazz and rock who has worked with numerous artists, including the Pet Shop Boys, Wishbone Ash (1986 touring), Joan Armatrading, Eric Clapton, Dire Straits, Tina Turner, Chris de Burgh, Bryan Adams, George Michael, Renato Zero and Melanie C. He often works with producer... Jimi Hendrix (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) was an American guitar virtuoso, singer and songwriter. ... The Who are a British rock band that first formed in 1964, and grew to be considered one of the greatest[1] and most influential[2] bands in the world. ... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ... For other uses, see Blind Faith (disambiguation). ... Steely Dan is a Grammy-Award winning American jazz rock band centered on core members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. ... This article is about the recording artist. ...

Also in 1993, Squeeze had Carrack return for their album Some Fantastic Place and a subsequent tour. With Carrack on vocals, the band re-recorded their hit "Tempted" for the soundtrack to the movie "Reality Bites" (1994). However, Carrack once again left Squeeze after about a year with the band. For other uses, see Squeeze (disambiguation). ... Some Fantastic Place is a 1993 album by the British New Wave group Squeeze. ... Reality Bites is a 1994 film written by Helen Childress and featuring the directorial debut of Ben Stiller. ... For other uses, see Squeeze (disambiguation). ...

Following his second stint with Squeeze, Carrack joined forces with Timothy B. Schmit and Don Felder of The Eagles for an ambitious but ultimately unrealized recording project. Schmit and Felder soon reunited with the rest of the Eagles and their Hell Freezes Over album, bringing with them one of the songs Carrack co-wrote, "Love Will Keep Us Alive." It was recorded by The Eagles, and won an award as being the most-played single in America in 1995. For other uses, see Squeeze (disambiguation). ... Timothy Bruce Schmit (born October 30, 1947, in Oakland, California), is a bass guitarist and singer best known as a member of Poco and the Eagles. ... Donald William[1] Felder (born September 21, 1947 in Gainesville, Florida) is an American rock musician who was a member of the Eagles from 1974-1980 and from 1994-2001. ... The Eagles redirects here. ... Hell Freezes Over is an album by The Eagles, released in 1994 (see 1994 in music). ... The Eagles redirects here. ...

Finally in 1996, Carrack resumed his solo career with the album Blue Views.

Into the 21st century

Carrack maintains his active solo career, as well as his career as a session musician. He also became Mike + The Mechanics' only lead vocalist after the death of Paul Young in 2000. In 2004, the band was officially re-named Mike + The Mechanics & Paul Carrack. Mike + The Mechanics are an English rock/pop band formed in 1985 as a side-project of Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis, that became a successful band in its own right. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Session Work

Carrack's distinctive voice and keyboard skills have kept him in demand as a session musician on many projects. Some of his credits include:

• Keyboards on The Smiths' eponymous debut album, The Smiths (1984)
• Piano on The Pretenders album Learning To Crawl (1983)
• Keys and vocals on Roger Waters' "Radio K.A.O.S." (1987) and subsequent tour
• Organ on Elton John's Made in England (1996) and The Big Picture (1997)
• Organ and vocals on B.B. King's Deuces Wild (1997)
• Touring with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band (2003)

In 1997, Carrack played organ for Elton John on the single "Something About The Way You Look Tonight". Coupled with "Candle In The Wind '97", this became the best selling single of all time. The Smiths were an English rock band active from 1982 to 1987. ... The Smiths is the eponymous debut album of the band The Smiths, released on February 20, 1984. ... The Pretenders are an Anglo-American rock band. ... George Roger Waters (born September 6, 1943) is an English rock musician; singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and composer. ... This article is about the Roger Waters album. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE[2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a five-time Grammy and one-time Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Riley B. King aka B. B. King (b. ... Richard Starkey Jr, MBE (born 7 July 1940), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the drummer for The Beatles. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE[2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a five-time Grammy and one-time Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ...

Discography

Throughout his career, Carrack has released solo albums during his breaks from band duties and session work. His biggest solo hit, "Don't Shed A Tear," came after he signed as a solo artist to Chrysalis Records in 1987 . Chrysalis logo (1987-2005) Chrysalis Records is a record label that was created in 1969. ...

Solo Albums

• 1980 Nightbird
• 1982 Suburban Voodoo
• 1987 One Good Reason
• 1989 Groove Approved
• 1996 Blue Views
• 1997 Beautiful World
• 2000 Satisfy My Soul
• 2001 Groovin'
• 2003 It Ain't Over
• 2005 Winter Wonderland

Compilations

• 1987 Ace Mechanic
• 1988 The Carrack Collection
• 1994 Twenty-One Good Reasons: The Paul Carrack Collection
• 1995 Carrackter Reference
• 2006 Greatest Hits - The Story So Far

Solo Hit Singles

• "I Need You" (US #37, 1982)
• "When You Walk in the Room" (UK #48, 1987)
• "Don't Shed A Tear" (US #9/UK #60, 1987)
• "One Good Reason (US #28, 1988)
• "I Live By The Groove" (US #31, 1989)
• "Eyes of Blue" (UK #40, 1996)
• "How Long" (UK #32, 1996)
• "For Once In Our Lives" (US #72, 1997)

Song Information When You Walk In The Room was the second single from Agnetha Fältskogs fourth English solo-album, the first after 17 years. ...

Ace Hit Singles

• "How Long" (US #3/UK #20 1975)

Squeeze Hit Singles (with Carrack on lead vocal)

• "Tempted" (US #49/UK #41, 1981)

Mike + The Mechanics Hit Singles (with Carrack on lead vocal)

• "Silent Running" (US #21/UK #6, 1985)
• "The Living Years" (US #1/UK #2, 1989)
• "Over My Shoulder" (UK #12, 1995)
• "Now That You've Gone" (UK #35, 1999)

Singles

“Hot 100” redirects here. ... The Mainstream Rock Tracks chart is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music but are not modern rock (that is, alternative) stations, which are counted in the Modern Rock Tracks chart. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Bowi EP sleeve (1977). ... Chris Difford (born Christopher Henry Difford, on 4 November 1954, in Greenwich, London) is a singer, songwriter and record producer. ... Terri Nunn (born June 26, 1961 in Los Angeles, California) is an American actress and singer. ... Eddie Schwartz (born December 22, 1949) is a Canadian musician and Juno Award winner who had moderate success as a recording artist in the early 1980s, before becoming a successful songwriter, and record producer in the late 1980s and the 1990s. ... Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford (born October 2, 1950 in Guildford, Surrey) is an English musician. ... Graham Keith Gouldman (born on 10 May 1946, in Broughton, Salford, Lancashire, in England) is an English songwriter and musician who was a long-time member of British band 10cc. ... Something About the Way You Look Tonight was the first single from Elton Johns The Big Picture. ... Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford (born October 2, 1950 in Guildford, Surrey) is an English musician. ... Chris Difford (born Christopher Henry Difford, on 4 November 1954, in Greenwich, London) is a singer, songwriter and record producer. ...

External links

• Official Website
• World Of Genesis - Paul Carrack Bio
• A House of Many Rooms - Mike + The Mechanics Fan Site