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Encyclopedia > The Human League
The Human League
The Human League in 2007. From left: Philip Oakey, Joanne Catherall, Susan Ann Sulley
The Human League in 2007. From left: Philip Oakey, Joanne Catherall, Susan Ann Sulley
Background information
Also known as The Future, The Men, League Unlimited Orchestra
Origin Sheffield, UK
Genre(s) Electropop
Synthpop
New Wave
Years active 1977 – Present
Label(s) Fast Product, EMI, Virgin, A&M, EastWest, Papillion
Associated acts Giorgio Moroder
Heaven 17
Members
Philip Oakey
Joanne Catherall
Susan Ann Sulley
Former members
Ian Craig Marsh
Martyn Ware
Philip Adrian Wright
Ian Burden
Jo Callis

The Human League are a British synthpop band. Formed in Sheffield, Yorkshire in 1977, they achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s. They have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s and '90s and up to the present day. For other uses, see Sheffield (disambiguation). ... The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the European Union, and NATO. Usually known simply as the United Kingdom, the UK, or (inaccurately) as Great Britain or Britain, the UK has four constituent... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Electropop (also called Technopop) is a form of synth pop music that is made with synthesizers, and which first flourished from 1978 to 1981. ... Synthpop is a subgenre of New Wave in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. ... New Wave was a music genre that existed during the late 1970s and the early-to-mid 1980s. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Fast Product were an independent record label, established in Edinburgh by Bob Last in December 1977. ... For other uses, see EMI (disambiguation). ... Virgin Records was a British recording label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, and Nik Powell in 1972. ... A&M redirects here. ... old logo current logo Eastwest Records was started in 1955 as a subsidiary label of Atlantic Records. ... Papillion Records is a record label started by Chrysalis Group (not to be confused with Chrysalis Records) in 1999 with Jethro Tull. ... Giorgio Moroder (born Giovanni Giorgio Moroder on April 26, 1940 in Ortisei, Italy) is an Academy Award-winning Italian record producer, songwriter and performer, whose groundbreaking work with synthesizers during the 1970s was a significant influence on new wave, techno and electronic music in general. ... Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating in Sheffield in the early 1980s. ... Phil Oakey (born Philip Oakey on 2 October 1955, in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England), is a singer best-known as the frontman and co-founder of the popular synthpop band, The Human League. ... Joanne Catherall (born 18 September 1962 in Sheffield) is one of the two female singers, of the synthpop band The Human League. ... Susan Ann Sulley is a dancer and singer with The Human League. ... Ian Craig Marsh (born 11 November 1956) is a British musician, a founding member of the electronic band The Human League, writing and playing on their first two albums and several singles, until leaving in 1980 to form B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation) and later Heaven 17. ... Martyn Ware (born on 19 May 1956, in Sheffield, Yorkshire) is one of the leading figures in electronic music. ... Philip Adrian Wright (also known as Adrian Wright) (born on 30 June 1956. ... Ian Burden (born on 24 December 1957) was a keyboard player with British Synthpop band The Human League 1981 - 1989. ... Jo Callis (born May 2, 1951, Glasgow, Scotland) is a musician who played guitar with Edinburgh-based punk rock band The Rezillos. ... Synthpop is a subgenre of New Wave in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. ... In music, a band is a company of musicians, or musical ensemble, usually popular or folk, playing parts of or improvising a musical arrangement on different musical instruments. ... For other uses, see Sheffield (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Yorkshire (disambiguation). ...


Originally an avant-garde all male synthesizer-based group from Sheffield, the only constant band member since 1977 is vocalist and songwriter Philip Oakey. Since 1987, The Human League has essentially been a trio of Oakey and long-serving female vocalists Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley (who joined the band in 1980), with various studio musicians. The Human League has influenced many electro-pop and mainstream acts including Madonna and Moby. They have been sampled and covered by various artists including YMO, Ministry of Sound, George Michael and Robbie Williams.[1] Synth redirects here. ... Phil Oakey (born Philip Oakey on 2 October 1955, in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England), is a singer best-known as the frontman and co-founder of the popular synthpop band, The Human League. ... Joanne Catherall (born 18 September 1962 in Sheffield) is one of the two female singers, of the synthpop band The Human League. ... Susan Ann Sulley is a dancer and singer with The Human League. ... This article is about the American entertainer. ... Moby (born Richard Melville Hall, September 11, 1965) is an American DJ, songwriter, musician and singer. ... Yellow Magic Orchestra is a Japanese electropop band, formed in 1978. ... Ministry of Sound (MoS) is a nightclub in Elephant and Castle, Southwark, South London, officially opened in 1992 after weeks of secret club nights. ... For other persons named George Michael, see George Michael (disambiguation). ... For other people with the same name, see Robbie Williams (disambiguation). ...


Since 1979, they have released nine studio albums, eighteen singles (including 8 UK top 10 singles and 2 number one singles in the US) and played over 350 live concerts. The Human League have sold an estimated 20 million records worldwide.[2]

Contents

Band history

1977: "The Dead Daughters" and "The Future"

Before adopting the name The Human League, the band briefly had two previous incarnations.[3] In early 1977, Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh were both working as computer operators, and combined a love of pop music (such as glam rock and Tamla Motown) with avant-garde electronic music acts such as German group Kraftwerk. With the price of electronic components dropping in the mid 1970s, previously unaffordable equipment was now in the range of the average consumer. Ware and Marsh saved up and bought a Korg 770S synthesizer between them and set about learning how to play it. Their musical reputation spread and they were invited to play at a friend's 21st birthday party. For the party, Ware and Marsh formed themselves into an informal band called The Dead Daughters. Their live highlight was a rendition of the theme of the British TV series Doctor Who.[3] Martyn Ware (born on 19 May 1956, in Sheffield, Yorkshire) is one of the leading figures in electronic music. ... Ian Craig Marsh (born 11 November 1956) is a British musician, a founding member of the electronic band The Human League, writing and playing on their first two albums and several singles, until leaving in 1980 to form B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation) and later Heaven 17. ... Glam rock (also known as glitter rock), is a rock music style that developed in the UK in the post-hippie early 1970s which was performed by singers and musicians wearing outrageous clothes, makeup, hairstyles, and platform-soled boots. ... Motown, also known as Tamla-Motown outside the U.S., is a record label founded on December 14, 1959 by Berry Gordy, Jr. ... A work similar to Marcel Duchamps Fountain Avant garde (written avant-garde) is a French phrase, one of many French phrases used by English speakers. ... For other uses, see Electronic music (disambiguation). ... Kraftwerk (pronounced , German for power station) is a Grammy award nominated, electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. ... For comic book character, see Korg (comics). ... This article is about the television series. ...


After a few further low-key, private performances, Ware and Marsh decided to form a proper band. Joined by their friend Adi Newton and another Synthesizer (a Roland System 100), they formed The Future and began to create music in their own ad-hoc rehearsal facility. Although The Future were never signed and released no material commercially at the time, a collection of demos from this period was released retrospectively on CD in 2002 titled The Golden Hour of the Future, mixed by Richard X.[3] The association with Adi Newton was short; Newton left the Future and went on to form Clock DVA. Ware at this point decided that he needed a singer rather than another keyboard player. The reason for this was twofold: record companies had been reluctant to sign the Future, as they couldn’t offer any "marketable" songs, and therefore a decent singer was required for any chance of commercial success; also the group only owned two synthesizers and could not afford a third.[3] Roland Corporation ) TYO: 7944 is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. ... The Golden Hour of the Future is a studio album constructed from the early recordings and demo tapes of the 1977 electronic band The Future which was the early incarnation of synthpop group The Human League. ... Richard Philips is a record producer, best known by his stage name Richard X. In an early issue of the now defunct Popworld magazine, Phillips told of how he had simply sealed a postcard with a kiss which was misinterpreted as the letter X; from then on he has used... Clock DVA is an electronic music group from Sheffield, England. ...


Ware and Marsh searched for a vocalist, but their first choice, Glenn Gregory, was unavailable (Gregory eventually became the lead singer of their later band Heaven 17). Ware then decided to invite an old school friend, Philip Oakey, to join the band. Oakey was working as a hospital porter at the time and was known on the Sheffield social scene for his eclectic dress sense. Although he had no musical experience, Ware thought he would be ideal as lead singer for The Future as "he already looked like a pop star". When Ware called on Oakey he found he was out, so asked him to join The Future by leaving a note struck to his front door.[3] He accepted the invitation, but early sessions were awkward. Oakey had never sung in front of an audience before, could not play keyboards and only owned a saxophone (which he could not play). Listening to one of Ware and Marsh's demos, Oakey was inspired to write some lyrics which later became the single "Being Boiled". Heaven 17 from a 1996 press photo for Bigger Than America:(Left to right) Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory Heaven 17 is a British synthpop band originating in Sheffield, England in the early 1980s. ... Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating in Sheffield in the early 1980s. ... Phil Oakey (born Philip Oakey on 2 October 1955, in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England), is a singer best-known as the frontman and co-founder of the popular synthpop band, The Human League. ... Being Boiled was a single released by The Human League. ...


With a new line-up, sound and vocalist, Ware decided that the band needed a new name. It would also allow them to approach record companies again from a different angle. Ware suggested a quote derived from the game Starforce: Alpha Centauri, a science fiction wargame which both Marsh and Ware enjoyed playing. In the game, 'The Human League' arose in 2415 A.D, and were a frontier-oriented society that desired more independence from Earth. Ware suggested that The Future rename themselves after the game and in early 1978 The Future became The Human League.[3]


1978 – 1980: The original Human League lineup

The 'original' Human League July 1980 from left Oakey, Wright, Marsh, Ware.
The 'original' Human League July 1980 from left Oakey, Wright, Marsh, Ware.

Using Future material, The Human League put out a demo tape to record companies under their new name. The tape contained versions of "Being Boiled", "Toyota City" and "Circus of Death". One label, Bob Last’s Edinburgh based independent Fast Records responded and the band were signed. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 588 pixelsFull resolution (900 × 661 pixel, file size: 119 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This is a copyrighted image that has been released by a company or organization to promote their work or product in the media, such as advertising... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 588 pixelsFull resolution (900 × 661 pixel, file size: 119 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This is a copyrighted image that has been released by a company or organization to promote their work or product in the media, such as advertising... Fast Product was an independent record label, established in Edinburgh, Scotland by Bob Last in December 1977. ...


The band released their first single "Being Boiled" in June 1978, under Fast Records. Although a limited release, because it was so unique and at odds with everything else on the market it was picked up on by NME who championed the band, although one guest reviewer, Johnny Rotten of Punk band Sex Pistols condemned the band as "trendy hippies".[3] For other uses, see NME (disambiguation). ... John Lydon John Joseph Lydon (born January 31, 1956), also known as Johnny Rotten (a nickname derived from the state of his teeth) was the iconoclastic lead singer of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd (PiL) and an Irish individualist anarchist. ... Sex Pistols are an iconic and highly influential English punk rock band, formed in London in 1975. ...


Boosted by critical praise, on June 12, 1978 the band played their first live gig together at Bar 2 in Sheffield's Psalter Lane Art College (now Sheffield Hallam University; a plaque now commemorates the spot in what is now a computer suite). is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) is a university in Sheffield, England. ...

Plaque located in Sheffield Hallam University commemorating The Human League's first live concert
Plaque located in Sheffield Hallam University commemorating The Human League's first live concert

With their reliance on technology and tape machines, the band had been nervous about playing live. After the Psalter Lane performance, they worried that they had appeared static and uninspiring. A friend of Oakey’s had been in the audience, Philip Adrian Wright, who had an art and photography background was invited to become the band’s ‘Director of Visuals’ with a remit to "liven up" the stage performance with slides, film clips and lighting. He was credited as a full band member on record sleeves, despite his contribution mainly being non musical. Philip Adrian Wright (also known as Adrian Wright) (born on 30 June 1956. ...


The band's live performances began to gain momentum and acclaim and they were asked to support first The Rezillos (featuring future band member Jo Callis), then Siouxsie & the Banshees in December 1978 . At this gig, David Bowie appeared in the audience and later declared to NME that he "had seen the future of pop music" [3]. Later, the hit song by The Undertones, “My Perfect Cousin”, contained a dig at the perceived "arty" Human League in the lyric: The Rezillos were a Scottish Punk/New Wave band, who formed in Edinburgh in 1976. ... Jo Callis (born May 2, 1951, Glasgow, Scotland) is a musician who played guitar with Edinburgh-based punk rock band The Rezillos. ... Siouxsie and the Banshees were a British rock band that formed in 1976. ... David Bowie (pronounced ) (born David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947) is an English musician, actor, producer, arranger, and audio engineer. ... The picture cover of The Undertones 1979 Youve Got My Number (Why Dont You Use It!) single The Undertones are a Northern Irish rock band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1975. ...

His mother bought him a synthesizer. Got the Human League in to advise her. Now he's making lots of noise. Playing along with the art school boys[4]

In April 1979, The Human League released their first EP under Fast Record entitled The Dignity of Labour which contained four experimental instrumentals. Although the EP only barely charted, major record labels began approaching the band in an attempt to lure them away from Fast. Eventually, in May 1979, the band accepted an offer by Richard Branson's Virgin Records. Because of his label's early support, the band offered Bob Last the position as band manager.[3] The Dignity Of Labour is an 12 vinyl record released in 1979. ... Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950) is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 companies. ... Virgin Records was a British recording label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, and Nik Powell in 1972. ...


In June 1979, The Human League supported Iggy Pop on his European tour before settling into recording their first single for Virgin. Despite being promised creative freedom, Virgin instead insisted on some sweeping changes to the band's style for their first single in order to make it more commercial. They insisted on conventional instruments and vocals as well as synthesizers. Because the band had accepted a large financial signing advance, Ware was in no position to refuse but insisted that any releases in this style be credited to a pseudonym.[3] James Newell Osterberg, Jr. ...


The band's first single under Virgin Records was the disco influenced "I Don't Depend on You", released in July 1979 under the pseudonym "The Men". The single did not chart and had very little in common with the previous work of the Human League. It did, however, feature prophetic female vocals by guest vocalists Lisa Strike and Katie Kissoon sounding like the yet-to-be-formed future Human League of 1981.[5] This article is about the music genre. ... I Dont Depend on You is a disco-influenced song by the British Synthpop group The Human League released under the pseudonym The Men. ...


Because the imposed style had not worked, Virgin permitted the band to return to their original style and the band recorded and released their first full studio album Reproduction in August 1979. The album and the single "Empire State Human" failed to make any impact on the charts. After these flops, Virgin cancelled the band's December 1979 tour. By this time, The Human League's role as UK electronic pioneers was usurped by Gary Numan when his single "Are 'Friends' Electric?" became a huge hit in the UK in mid-1979 [3]. Reproduction is the debut album released by English synthpop band The Human League. ... Empire State Human is an Electronica song by the British Synthesizer group The Human League. ... For the video game programmer Garry Newman, see Garrys Mod. ... Are Friends Electric? is a 1979 song by Gary Numan, released under the name Tubeway Army as a single and on the album Replicas. ...



In April 1980, the band were able to release an EP entitled Holiday '80, containing the principal track "Marianne" and a cover of "Nightclubbing" (written by Bowie and Iggy Pop). The 7-inch version of "Holiday '80" did well enough to get the band their first TV appearance on BBC TV Top of the Pops on 8th May 1980, opening a Peter Powell presented show with Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll Part 2"!!. This was to be the only high profile TV appearance by the Oakey/Marsh/Ware trio on UK Television, with the sole exception of BBC2's 'Mainstream' programme in late 1979, where an performance in the studio, complete with slideshow etcetera, was broadcast of the tracks 'The Path Of Least Resistance' and the current minor hit "Empire State Human". Holiday 80 is an EP released by the original lineup of the British synthpop band The Human League. ... Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, was a long-running British music chart television programme, made and broadcast by the BBC. It was originally shown each week, mostly on BBC One, from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. ... Peter Powell may refer to: Peter Powell (disc jockey) (born 1951), a British DJ Peter Powell (kite), the inventor of a dual-line, steerable model of flying kite Peter Powell(Clocks), a very nasty, sad, creepy little guy from Marlborough. ... Gary Glitter (born May 8, 1944) is an English rock and pop singer and songwriter who had a string of chart successes with a collection of 1970s glam rock hits including Rock and Roll parts 1 & 2, I Love You Love Me Love, Im the Leader of the Gang... Empire State Human is an Electronica song by the British Synthesizer group The Human League. ...



In May the band toured the UK. Adrian Wright was now playing incidental keyboards in addition to his visuals role. It was the last time all four members performed together live. Also in May, the band released their second studio album Travelogue. More commercial sounding that Reproduction, it peaked at no.16 in the UK giving the band their first real success. As a result, "Empire State Human" was re-released and the band made their second appearance on Top of the Pops even though it only reached no.62 in the singles chart. This article is about the Human League album. ...


Because of their lack of commercial success, Virgin refused to release further singles from Travelogue. The Human League were booked to conduct a tour of the UK and Europe in October - November 1980, but the lack of success after two years of hard work and perceived lack of faith by Virgin set about severe internal conflict within the band.[3]


October 1980: The formation of The Human League 'Mk2'

The Human League (Mk2) 1981, From left Catherall, Callis, Wright, Oakey, Sulley, Burden.
The Human League (Mk2) 1981, From left Catherall, Callis, Wright, Oakey, Sulley, Burden.

The relationship between Oakey and Ware had always been turbulent, and the pair often quarrelled over creative and personal matters. Oakey had once allegedly been observed chasing Ware up a Sheffield Street throwing bottles of milk at him. [1] Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 745 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2236 × 1800 pixel, file size: 166 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This is a copyrighted image that has been released by a company or organization to promote their work or product in the media, such as advertising... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 745 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2236 × 1800 pixel, file size: 166 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This is a copyrighted image that has been released by a company or organization to promote their work or product in the media, such as advertising...


The lack of success compared with the success of Gary Numan's work at that time had brought matters to a head. Ware insisted the band maintain their pure electronic sound while Oakey wanted to emulate more successful pop groups. The pair clashed continually, with Ware eventually walking out. Taking Ware's side, Ian Craig Marsh joined him. Manager Bob Last tried to reconcile both parties, and when that proved impossible various options were suggested including two new bands under a Human League sub-label. Eventually it was agreed that Oakey would continue with the Human League name while Ware and Marsh would form a completely new band (which became Heaven 17). Two weeks before a tour of the UK/Europe the band split.[3] Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating in Sheffield in the early 1980s. ...


Retaining the Human League name came at a heavy price for Oakey; he was responsible for all Human League debts and commitments. Also, The Human League would have to pay Ware and Marsh 1% of all future royalties under the Virgin contract.


With the tour only 10 days away and the music media reporting that The Human League was finished now "the talented people had left"; promoters started threatening to sue Oakey if the tour was not completed as contracted. To complete the tour, Oakey had to recruit new people in a matter of days.


In an event that is now firmly embedded in popular folklore and regularly repeated by the media,[1] Oakey and his then girlfriend went into Sheffield city centre on a Wednesday night with the intention of recruiting a single female backing vocalist. After looking in various venues, they visited the Crazy Daisy Nightclub on High Street where Oakey spotted two teenage girls dancing together on the dance floor. Susan Ann Sulley (17) and Joanne Catherall (18) were just two schoolgirls on a night out together. Neither had any experience of singing or dancing professionally. With no preamble, Oakey asked both girls to join the tour as dancers and incidental vocalists. He states that when he found out their age and that they were best friends, he revised his plan for a single female and decided that the two girls could look after each other on the tour. Originally just wanting a single female singer to replace the high backing vocals originally provided by Martyn Ware, he says that he thought having two female vocalists/dancers would also add potential glamour to the band. Because of the girls' ages, Oakey and Wright later had to visit Sulley and Catherall’s respective parents to obtain permission for the girls to go the tour. The Crazy Daisy Nightclub was a Discotheque / Dance club in Sheffield,UK in late 1970s - early 1980s. ...


In addition to Sulley and Catherall, Oakey employed professional musician Ian Burden as a session keyboard player for the tour to cover for the keyboards of the now departed Ware and Marsh Ian Burden (born on 24 December 1957) was a keyboard player with British Synthpop band The Human League 1981 - 1989. ...


The tour was completed as advertised but was less than successful. The music press was scornful of "Oakey and his dancing girls" and treated the new band line-up with derision. Many of the audiences who had paid to see the original all male line up, were not happy with the new band; Sulley and Catherall were often heckled and, on occasion, bottled.


On completion of the tour, Burden went on to his next commitment playing keyboards in West Berlin. Because of the professionalism they had shown and because he planned to use them further vocally, Oakey and manager Bob Last made Sulley and Catherall full members of the band, to be paid on a salary basis. Boroughs of West Berlin West Berlin was the name given to the western part of Berlin between 1949 and 1990. ...


1981: The build up to Dare

1981 became the band's most successful period and culminated in the release of the influential, multi-million selling album Dare and the multi-million selling single "Don't You Want Me"[6] Dare! was the third album released by The Human League, and the first to feature singers Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catheral. ... Don’t You Want Me is a single by the British Synthpop group The Human League. ...


In January 1981, although they had survived the tour, the band was still in trouble. Heavily in debt to Virgin Records, Oakey and Wright were under pressure to produce results quickly. By February 1981, the band recorded and rushed out "Boys and Girls". Sulley and Catherall (who had returned to school full-time) were not used. The single reached no.47 in the UK charts, the most commercially successful Human League single to that point. Oakey acknowledged that he needed to bring in professional musicians and so Ian Burden was tracked down and invited to join the band as a trial member. Boys and Girls is a song by the British Synthpop group The Human League. ...


Virgin's faith had been restored by "Boys and Girls" but they believed the band lacked professional production. In March, Oakey was introduced to veteran producer Martin Rushent. Rushent's first move was to decamp the entire band to Genetic Studios in Reading away from the "unhealthy atmosphere" of Monumental Studios, Sheffield which they shared with Ware and Marsh's Heaven 17. The first result of the Genetic sessions was the single "The Sound of the Crowd". The single was an instant success reaching no.12 in the UK. Martin Rushent is an English musician and record producer. ... This article is about the learning activity. ... Sound Of The Crowd is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ...

Advertising poster from late 1981.
Advertising poster from late 1981.

Bob Last believed that the band could be improved further by the addition of one more professional musician, so in April 1981 his associate Jo Callis (formerly of The Rezillos, a band Last had previously managed) was invited to become the final permanent member of the band. The next single, "Love Action (I Believe in Love)", went to no.3 in the UK in August 1981. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Jo Callis (born May 2, 1951, Glasgow, Scotland) is a musician who played guitar with Edinburgh-based punk rock band The Rezillos. ... The Rezillos were a British Punk/New Wave band of the late 1970s consisting of Eugene Reynolds, Fay Fife, Jo Callis, the enigmatically-named Mysterious and Angel patterson. ... Love Action (I Believe in Love) is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ...


The band's commercial success and higher public profile prompted Virgin to authorise the release of a full album. The band set about arranging their existing material and demos into a viable album. Sulley and Catherall who had just left school immediately postponed their plans to attend university to work on the album. By October 1981, the album was ready and entitled Dare. Just prior to its release, Virgin released a single from the album, "Open Your Heart", which equalled the success of the previous two singles. Dare was released in October 1981 and went to no.1 in the UK. It spent a total of 4 weeks at the top spot over the 1981/82 period, remaining in the chart for 77 weeks and eventually going triple platinum. Open Your Heart is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ...


Because of Dare's enormous success, Virgin executive Simon Draper instructed that a fourth single be released from the album before the end of 1981. His choice was to be "Don't You Want Me", a track Oakey considered to be a filler and the weakest track on the album. Oakey fought the decision believing it would damage the band, but was overruled by Draper and "Don't You Want Me" was released in December 1981. Aided by an expensive music video (a rarity at the time) directed by film maker Steve Barron, the single went immediately to number one and stayed there over Christmas 1981. The single became the band's biggest hit, sell over two million copies worldwide [6]. Dare has since been labelled as one of pop music's most influential albums [7]. Philip Oakey often plays down such claims, but at other times acknowledges its influence on modern music. In 2001, paraphrasing an NME headline from 1980, Oakey once famously quipped: Steve Barron (born May 4, 1956) is a director and producer, best known for directing the films Coneheads (1993), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) and the innovative music video for a-has Take on Me. ...

The Human League, one day all music will be made like this!... and it is![8]

The remaining 1980s

Capitalising on the success of the album and their recent no.1 hit single, "Being Boiled" was re-released and became a top 10 hit in early 1982. The band toured for the first time (together) internationally. Concurrently, Dare (later renamed Dare!) was released in the U.S. by A&M Records and "Don't You Want Me" also reached number one there in mid-1982. A remix album of Dare entitled Love and Dancing was released under the group name "League Unlimited Orchestra" (a tribute to Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra), reaching number three on the UK album chart. A&M redirects here. ... A remix is an alternative version of a song, different from the original version. ... Love and Dancing is an EP released by English synthpop band The Human League in 1982. ... Barry Eugene White (born Barrence Eugene Carter, September 12, 1944) – July 4, 2003) was a Grammy Award winning American record producer, songwriter and singer responsible for the creation of numerous hit soul and disco songs. ... Barry White ( September 12, 1944 - July 4, 2003) was an American record producer and singer responsible for the creation of numerous hit soul and disco songs. ...


In 1982, the band received the Best British Newcomer award at the annual Brit Music awards, and Rushent also took Best Producer for his work on "Dare". By the end of the awards party, a tipsy Sulley and Catherall had lost the band’s valuable trophy and it was never seen again.[1] The Brit Awards are the annual United Kingdom pop music awards founded by the British Phonographic Industry. ...


In November 1982, the Motown influenced electro pop single "Mirror Man" reached no.2 in the UK chart, just missing another Christmas number one which was taken by a novelty record by Renée and Renato[6] Motown Records, also known as Tamla-Motown outside of the United States, is a record label originally based out of Detroit, Michigan (Motor City, hence mo(tor)town), from where it achieved widespread international success. ... Electropop is a genre of synthesizer pop music which flourished during the early 1980s, although the first recordings were made in the late 1970s. ... Mirror Man is a Motown-inspired song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ... Renée and Renato were a female/male vocal duo who had a UK No. ...

Virgin records advertisement for single "Human" - 1986.
Virgin records advertisement for single "Human" - 1986.

The Human League's work was now recognised on both sides of the Atlantic. In February 1983, the band was nominated for the Best New Artist award at the 25th annual Grammy Awards (though the award eventually went to Men at Work.[9]). Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article has been selected as the current Australian Collaboration of the Fortnight! Please help improve it to featured article standard. ...


The follow-up single, "(Keep Feeling) Fascination", was released in April 1983 and peaked at no.2 in the UK. The following months proved to be difficult ones for the band as they struggled to record a follow-up album to Dare under immense pressure from Virgin. A six song EP called Fascination! comprising of the singles "Mirror Man" and "Fascination" together with the new track "I Love You Too Much" was released from the original recording sessions for their new album, later to be named Hysteria. The EP was released in America as a stop-gap and also became a strong seller as an import in the UK.[6] (Keep Feeling) Fascination is a dance song performed by The Human League and composed by Jo Callis and Philip Oakey. ... // Extended play (EP) is the name typically given to vinyl records or CDs which contain more than one single but are too short to qualify as albums. ... Fascination! is an EP released by English synthpop band The Human League in 1983. ... Hysteria is an album recorded by English synthpop band The Human League. ...


In August 1983 the band released "the UK's first Video Single" to capitalise on the growing market created by the increasing popularity of domestic home video tape recorders,[10] called " The Human League Video Single". This was a short (12 mins) video tape cassette in either VHS or Betamax format, containing the music videos for "Mirror Man", "Love Action (I Believe in Love)" and "Don’t You Want Me". Although innovative, it was not a commercial success; as it retailed for £10.99 it was extremely expensive compared to vinyl singles averaging £1.99 in 1983. It did set the scene for further video and DVD releases by the band in the future. Alternate meanings: Single In music, a single is a short (usually ten minutes or less) record, usually featuring one or two tracks as A-sides, often accompanied by several B-sides—usually remixes or other songs. ...


The band spent many months agonising as they tried to make a successor to Dare, and as things became ever more stressful, producer Martin Rushent left the project. At this point, the band ditched much of the material recorded so far and started over again with new producers Hugh Padgham and Chris Thomas (though some of Rushent's contributions to certain tracks from the earlier sessions were included on the released album). Nick Heyward of Haircut 100 mocked the band saying that "he recorded his entire album in the time it took the Human League to program one drum machine!" [1] Haircut One Hundred (also known as Haircut 100) was a pop-New Wave band formed in 1980. ...


Finally, in May 1984, the band released the politically charged single "The Lebanon". The single peaked at no.11 in the UK. This was followed shortly after by the album Hysteria, so called because of the difficult and tense recording process. It entered the UK album chart at no.3, however it climbed no further and critics and fans were divided by the new direction the band had taken. The second single was "Life on Your Own" in mid-1984. The single missed the UK top ten, peaking at no.16. With the parent album Hysteria failing to live up to expected sales, thoughts of a third single were put on hold. [1] The Lebanon was a song releasd in 1984 by the synthpop band The Human League. ... Life on Your Own is a song by the British Synthpop group The Human League. ...


Later that year, success outside of The Human League came for Oakey in the shape of the huge hit single "Together In Electric Dreams", a collaboration with one of his idols, synth pioneer Giorgio Moroder. The track was taken from the film soundtrack to Electric Dreams and became a massive hit. Often now erroneously credited as a Human League single, due to its success and enduring popularity, the band have since adopted it for their live performances and it appears on their greatest hits compilations. Oakey and Moroder then recorded an album together for Virgin, Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder, but this met with rather less success and the following two singles failed to make the UK Top 40. However, the success of the original Oakey and Moroder track encouraged Virgin to release one final single from Hysteria in November 1984, the ballad "Louise" was released and reached no.13 in the UK. Together In Electric Dreams is a song by the British singer and composer Philip Oakey and producer Giorgio Moroder. ... Giorgio Moroder (born Giovanni Giorgio Moroder on April 26, 1940 in Ortisei, Italy) is an Academy Award-winning Italian record producer, songwriter and performer, whose groundbreaking work with synthesizers during the 1970s was a significant influence on new wave, techno and electronic music in general. ... Electric Dreams is a 1984 movie set in San Francisco, California that depicts a love triangle between a man, a woman, and a home computer. ... Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder was a collaborative album released in 1985 by Phil Oakey, lead singer of the electronic band The Human League and producer Giorgio Moroder. ...


After Hysteria, the group found themselves in creative stagnation, struggling to record material to follow up on their previous successes. Key songwriter Jo Callis departed, replaced by drummer Jim Russell. Bob Last quit as manager and was not replaced.


Worried by the lack of progress with their most profitable act, Virgin paired the Human League up with American R&B producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who had a proven track record with Janet Jackson and Prince. Jam and Lewis had expressed an interest in working with the band after hearing their U.S. releases. Virgin flew the entire band to Minneapolis. The four-month-long recording sessions were beset with creative disputes, with Jam and Lewis having preconceived ideas on how they wanted the album to sound, rejecting most of the band's material (which would cost the band considerable loss of royalty income). The band eventually quit the sessions early amidst creative acrimony, although the personal relationships had actually been good. [1] Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... James Jimmy Jam Harris III (born on June 6, 1959 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) and Terry Lewis (born November 21, 1956 in Omaha, Nebraska) are an American R&B and pop songwriting and record production team. ... This article is about the singer. ... For other uses, see Prince (disambiguation). ...


The final result of the sessions was the Crash album. The album featured much material written by the Jam and Lewis' team, and showcased their DX7-led sound. It provided a US no.1 single, "Human" (no.8 in the UK), but other singles made smaller chart impact. The album, while making the top 10 in the UK, was not as popular as previous releases. Disheartened by being sidelined in Minneapolis and with the direction the band had taken, Adrian Wright left the band to work in film. Crash was generally more popular in the U.S. and internationally than in the UK. The band toured in the UK and internationally in 1986 and 1987 to capitalise on their high profile at this time. Track listing Money Swang Human Jam Are you ever coming back? I need your loving Party Love on the run The real thing Love is all that matters ... The Yamaha DX7 Digital Synthesizer The Yamaha DX7 was a synthesizer manufactured by the Yamaha Corporation from 1983 to 1986, based on FM synthesis. ... Human is a song recorded by English synthpop band The Human League. ...


In 1987 Ian Burden also left the band.


In November 1988, a greatest hits compilation album was released which reached no.3 in UK. This was preceded by the release of the single "Love Is All That Matters" from Crash. Greatest Hits is a compilation album released by English synthpop band The Human League. ... Every Day is a New Day is a 1999 album released by American soul singer Diana Ross, on the Motown label. ...


In 1989, the band built their own studio in Sheffield, jointly funded by Oakey and a business development loan from Sheffield City Council. Oakey believed if the band owned their own facilities it would cut down on the production costs of previous albums and the band could become more productive.[1] Sheffield City Council is the city council for the metropolitan borough of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. ...


The 1990s

In 1990, the band released their last album for Virgin Records, Romantic?. By now, longstanding members Adrian Wright and Ian Burden, together with newer recruit Jim Russell, had all left the band, although Jo Callis did return to play on some of the sessions and co-wrote two songs, including the minor hit single "Heart Like a Wheel". New to the line-up were keyboardist Neil Sutton who had worked with the band on the Crash tour of 1986, and guitarist/keyboardist Russell Dennett. At odds with the prevailing trend of U.S. grunge and the Manchester scene the Romantic? album did not re-capture the group's huge commercial success of the 1980s with its second single "Soundtrack to a Generation" barely charting. In 1992, Virgin abruptly cancelled their recording contract. Damaged by the failure of the album, their rejection by Virgin, harsh criticism in the media and facing financial ruin, the emotional well-being of Oakey and Sulley deteriorated badly. Catherall remained positive and she is cited as the principal reason why the band did not fold at this, their lowest point.[1] Romantic? is an album recorded by English synthpop band The Human League. ... Neil Sutton is a long term associate member of the veteran British synthpop group The Human League. ... Grunge music (sometimes also referred to as the Seattle Sound) is an independent-rooted music genre that became a commercially successful offshoot of hardcore punk, thrash metal, and alternative rock in the late 1980s and early 1990s. ... For Mancunians, the popular musical heritage of the city has always been a source of great pride. ... This article is about the song . ...


After a couple of years the band had recovered enough confidence to put out demos to other record labels. In 1994, EastWest Records (a subsidiary of Time Warner) showed interest in the demos and the material rejected by Virgin, and signed up the band and paired them with producer Ian Stanley (formerly of Tears for Fears). EastWest financed expensive music videos and heavily promoted their releases. The first release was on Boxing Day 1994 and was the single "Tell Me When" which gave the band their first top 10 hit since 1986's "Human". It also topped the UK airplay charts for several weeks. The accompanying album, Octopus, returned the band to the UK top 10 and later achieved a gold disc. old logo current logo Eastwest Records was started in 1955 as a subsidiary label of Atlantic Records. ... Time Warner Inc. ... Ian Stanley (born Ian Christopher Stanley, Bath, England, on 28 February 1957) is an English musician, songwriter and record producer. ... Tears for Fears (sometimes abbreviated to TFF or T4F) are a popular English pop band formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, which emerged after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate. ... Let Your Dim Light Shine is an album from 1995 from the band Soul Asylum. ... Octopus is the seventh full-length studio album recorded by English synthpop band The Human League. ...


On the album cover artwork and in videos, the group was now presented simply as a trio of Oakey/Catherall/Sulley. In reality however, other musicians had input to the record, including producer Ian Stanley, continued playing and songwriting contributions from Neil Sutton and Russell Dennett; and Oakey co-writing one track with Jo Callis.


The next single from the album was the ballad "One Man in My Heart" which featured Sulley on lead vocals. It reached no.13 in the UK and is unique in that it is the only of the band's singles to feature a female lead vocal. The second release from The Human Leagues 1995 Album Octopus. ...


Their renewed success prompted the band to tour again for the first time since 1987 and they conducted a tour of the U.S. and UK in 1995. Subsequent singles "Filling up with Heaven" and the non-album single "Stay with Me Tonight" also reached the UK top 40, and a new remix of "Don't You Want Me" was released to capitalise on the band's profile. This was in the run up to a new "greatest hits" compilation in 1996, but which proved less successful than their first "Greatest Hits" album from 1988. “Filling up with Heaven” is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ... Stay With Me Tonight is a 1982 single by funk musician Jeffrey Osborne. ...


A change in management at EastWest in 1998 saw the cancellation of the band's contract. The band appeared on the 1980s nostalgia tour "Big Rewind" and made other concert and PA appearances throughout 1997-2000.


The 2000s

In 2000 the band signed to Papillion Records a subsidiary of the Chrysalis Group. Papillion Records is a record label started by Chrysalis Group (not to be confused with Chrysalis Records) in 1999 with Jethro Tull. ... Chrysalis logo (1987-2005) Chrysalis Records is a record label that was created in 1969. ...

The Human League in concert during Synth City Tour 2005.
The Human League in concert during Synth City Tour 2005.

The band released their next album, Secrets, in 2001. The band was still presented as the "Phil & the Girls" trio, although Neil Sutton was credited with keyboards, and co-wrote most of the material with Oakey. Despite being well-received by critics as their best album since Dare (the music climate at the time seeing a new interest in electronic pop music with the electroclash movement), the band's new record label, Papillion developed financial problems, and was closed by the parent company shortly after the album's release, leading to poor promotion and sales. BBC Radio 1 also refused to playlist the single "All I Ever Wanted" because, now in their 40s, the band did not match the radio station's demographic target audience. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2288 × 1712 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2288 × 1712 pixel, file size: 1. ... Secrets is an album recorded by English synthpop band The Human League. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... BBC Radio 1 (commonly referred to as just Radio 1) is a British national radio station operated by the BBC, specialising in popular music and speech and is aimed primarily at the 14-29[1] age group. ... All I Ever Wanted is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ...


Secrets entered the UK album chart at number 44, but fell out of the chart the following week.


Susan Sulley is on record as saying that the rejection of Secrets was "the lowest the band had been since 1992 and after putting in so much time and effort in to an album that then failed, nearly causing them to call it a day." [11]


To accompany the (then stalled) album, the band conducted the 2001 'Secrets Tour'.


Along with Sulley and Catherall, the band had Neil Sutton on keyboards. Studio engineer since 1990 David Beevers had become part of the on-stage line-up controlling the sequencers from behind his deck of twin Apple Macintoshes. Oakey further recruited multi-instrumentalist Nic Burke, then aged 21, who he had seen playing in Sheffield, to play electric guitar and keytar. To round off the line up in 2002 percussionist Errol Rollins was added to play the electronic drum kit. Rollins was replaced by Rob Barton in 2004. David Beevers is a long term associate member of the veteran British synthpop group The Human League. ... For other uses, see Macintosh (disambiguation) and Mac. ...


As a point of honour the band refuses to use playback, they always play live and rehearse before every appearance, ensuring that no two performances are the same. This was clearly demonstrated in 2002 when the band were booked to appear on UK national TV channel GMTV, where they were to play "Don't You Want Me" before being interviewed. The producer was astounded when the band turned up at 5 A.M. (three hours early) expecting to set up and rehearse; it had been assumed they would just mime to playback. Joanne Catherall explained why on air during the interview "We simply don’t sound like we did 20 years ago... it would be wrong if we used tapes...so we do everything live"[12] GMTV (Good Morning Television) is the national ITV breakfast television contractor,[1] broadcasting in the United Kingdom. ...


In October 2001 an independent album produced by Stephin Merritt of 16 cover versions of Human League Songs by bands such as Ladytron and Lali Puna was released; entitled "Reproductions: Songs Of The Human League" it was released as a tribute to The Human League on the 20th anniversary of Dare. Stephin Merritt (born 1966) is an American singer-songwriter based in New York City. ... For other uses, see Ladytron (disambiguation). ... Lali Puna is an indietronic band from Munich, Germany. ...


In 2003 a second single from Secrets entitled "Love Me Madly?" was released independently as a private venture by Nukove Records. Nukove was a small independent label especially set up to release Human League material, but it did not have funds for promotion and the single did not chart [13]. Love Me Madly? is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ...


Throughout the following years, the band have continued to tour frequently, enjoying enduring success and popularity as a live act. In 2004, they released The Human League Live At The Dome, a DVD of a live show in filmed at the Brighton Dome complete with a compilation CD called Live at the Dome. Prior to this, in 2003, Virgin records had released The Very Best of the Human League, a DVD of most of their previously recorded music videos. The DVD sold well in the UK and USA, and was accompanied by a compilation album of the same name. The Human League Live at the Dome is a DVD by veteran British Synthpop group The Human League, containing a recording of a complete concert. ... The Brighton Dome is a building complex in Brighton that contains the Concert Hall, Corn Exchange and the Pavilion Theatre. ... This article is about the DVD. For the album, see The Very Best of the Human League. ...


At the end of 2005 the band together with EMI released a compilation album of remixes called "The Human League Original Remixes and Rarities" aimed at the DJ/Dance market in the US and UK. For other uses, see EMI (disambiguation). ...


As well as dedicated Human League tours, the band have since appeared at many independent concerts and festivals worldwide. The have played at such prestigious events as the V Festival in 2004, Homelands in 2005, Nokia Trends - Brazil 2005, and Festival Internacional de Benicàssim in 2007[14] For the North American spin-off of the rock festival, see Virgin Festival For the Australian spin-off, see V Festival (Australia) The V Festival is an annual music festival in England, the first to be held simultaneously at two sites - currently Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in... Homelands is a British music festival which consists mainly of Dance music, both live acts and famous Disc Jockeys. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The FIB or Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (Benicàssim International Festival) is a famous music festival held in Benicàssim (Spain). ...


On September 22, 2006, the band performed on the U.S. network television show, Jimmy Kimmel Live. This was immediately before the highlight of 2006, which was the band playing to an audience of 18,000 at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles on October 24, 2006, one of their largest concerts to date. This was followed up by an 11 venue tour of Europe in November and December 2006. is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jimmy Kimmel Live is a late-night talk show in the United States created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, broadcast from the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California. ... Hollywood Bowl in 2005. ... 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. ... is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The band have been the subject of, and appeared in, various TV documentaries and features such as Channel 4's Made in Sheffield and the BBC's Young Guns: The Bands of the Early 1980s. In June 2007, Susan Sulley and Joanne Catherall presented a documentary on Sheffield’s pop music history entitled The Nations Music Cities for VH1. This article is about the British television station. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... VH1 (VH-1: Video Hits One until 1994 and VH1: Music First until 2003) is an American digital television channel that was created in January 1985 by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and owners of MTV. VH1 and sister channel MTV are currently...


In November and December 2007, to mark their 30th anniversary (1977-2007) the band conducted their highest profile tour since the 'Secrets tour' of 2001. The 'Dare! 2007' tour encompassed 20 European venues from London to Stockholm, most of which were sold out. Their set list included (for the first time ever) a performance of the 1981 album Dare played chronologically and in its entirety. This included Philip Oakey playing the Human League's instrumental arrangement of the theme from "Get Carter" on an original Casio VL-Tone from 1981. The remainder of the concert was dedicated to songs from the band's other albums and also included the Oakey/Moroder song "Together In Electric Dreams". The band invested heavily in the stage set and lighting for the tour, including elaborate high definition video backgrounds provided by set designer Rob Sinclair.[15] Dare! was the third album released by The Human League, and the first to feature singers Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catheral. ... For the 2000 remake with Sylvester Stallone see Get Carter (2000 film) Get Carter is a 1971 British crime film, directed by Mike Hodges and starring Michael Caine as Jack Carter, a gangster who sets out to avenge the death of his brother. ... Photograph of a Casio VL-Tone VL-1 The VL-1 was the first synthesizer of Casios VL-Tone product line, and is sometimes referred to as the VL-Tone. ...


A 12" single remix of "Things That Dreams Are Made Of" (originally from the Dare! album) was released in the UK in January 2008 by Hooj Choons. It peaked at #2 on the UK Dance charts. Hooj Choons is a house record label formed by Red Jerry (real name Jeremy Dickens) in 1990. ...


The Human League are to conduct a 17 date tour of the USA in August 2008 with fellow Sheffield band ABC and Belinda Carlisle, which will be their largest US tour for nearly 20 years.[16] For other uses, see Sheffield (disambiguation). ... ABC is an English New Romantic band that charted eleven Top 40 singles between 1981 and 1990. ... Belinda Carlisle (born Belinda Josephine Kurczeski on August 17, 1958 in Hollywood, California) is the lead vocalist and a founding member of the all-female New Wave band Go-Gos as well as a successful solo artist. ...

The Human League at Falkirk festival in May 2007; from left Sutton, Burke, Beevers, Catherall, Barton, Sulley, Oakey.
The Human League at Falkirk festival in May 2007; from left Sutton, Burke, Beevers, Catherall, Barton, Sulley, Oakey.

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Today

The Human League are currently unsigned to a record label and is run as a self-contained business with its own studio in Sheffield.[17] Since late 1994 they have been managed by Simon Watson of Sidewinder Management.


The band continue playing live, with continuing appearances at music festivals worldwide at many of which they are among the headliners. In the summer of 2008, the band is scheduled to tour the U.S. as part of the Regeneration Tour 2008, which also features other bands and singers popular in the 1980s. They plan a 'Steel City' Tour in Winter 2008, with fellow Sheffield acts ABC, and perhaps ironically, Heaven 17. ABC is an English New Romantic band that charted eleven Top 40 singles between 1981 and 1990. ... Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating in Sheffield in the early 1980s. ...


Although the subject of retirement is often brought up in interviews, Oakey, Sulley and Catherall have all stated that they still enjoy performing and intend to carry on for "as long as they are filling concerts and people want to see them". Sulley often jokes that she "has to carry on because she doesn’t know how to do anything else."[18]


Oakey, Catherall, and Sulley have all stated separately that it is the intention for the band to release a tenth studio album "in the near future". However, no details or timescale have been given. On possible collaborations, Oakey stated on BBC TV News and to NME that "we have a lot of people that want to make records with us."[19][20][21]


Discography

Main article: The Human League discography

This is the discography (albums, EPs, singles, video) of British synthpop band The Human League. ...

Band personnel

Present members

Joanne Catherall Philip Oakey Susan Ann Sulley  
Associate Members

Catherall in 2007

Oakey in 2007

Sulley in 2008
  • Rob Barton 2003-Present
    • Electronic percussion
  • David Beevers 1990-Present
    • On stage engineering
  • Nic Burke 2001-Present
    • Multi Instrumentalist
  • Neil Sutton- 1990-Present
    • Co-songwriter and keyboards
1980 - Present 1977 - Present 1980 - Present
     
  • Vocals
  • Songwriting
    and composition
  • Vocals
  • Keyboards
  • Vocals

<note 1> Susan Ann Sulley has changed her name twice since the band was formed and is listed by her current preferred name
<note 2> Engineer David Beevers appears on stage as part of the band Joanne Catherall (born 18 September 1962 in Sheffield) is one of the two female singers, of the synthpop band The Human League. ... Phil Oakey (born Philip Oakey on 2 October 1955, in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England), is a singer best-known as the frontman and co-founder of the popular synthpop band, The Human League. ... Susan Ann Sulley is a dancer and singer with The Human League. ... David Beevers is a long term associate member of the veteran British synthpop group The Human League. ... Neil Sutton is a long term associate member of the veteran British synthpop group The Human League. ...


Past members

Martyn Ware Ian Craig Marsh Philip Adrian Wright Ian Burden Jo Callis  
Former additional musicians

Ware in 2006
 
Callis in 2008
  • Jim Russell 1987-1990
    • Keyboards
  • Russell Dennett 1990-1994
    • Keyboards
  • Errol Rollins 2001-2004
    • Electronic Percussion
1977 - 1980 1977 - 1980 1978 - 1986 1981 - 1987 1981 - 1985
         
  • Composition
  • Keyboards
  • Composition
  • Keyboards
  • Visuals
  • Co-songwriting
  • Keyboards
  • Co-songwriting
  • Keyboards
  • Electric Bass Guitar
  • Co-songwriting
  • Keyboards
  • Electric Guitar

Martyn Ware (born on 19 May 1956, in Sheffield, Yorkshire) is one of the leading figures in electronic music. ... Ian Craig Marsh (born 11 November 1956) is a British musician, a founding member of the electronic band The Human League, writing and playing on their first two albums and several singles, until leaving in 1980 to form B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation) and later Heaven 17. ... Philip Adrian Wright (also known as Adrian Wright) (born on 30 June 1956. ... Ian Burden (born on 24 December 1957) was a keyboard player with British Synthpop band The Human League 1981 - 1989. ... Jo Callis (born May 2, 1951, Glasgow, Scotland) is a musician who played guitar with Edinburgh-based punk rock band The Rezillos. ...

Awards

The Brit Awards are annual United Kingdom pop music awards, considered to be on a par with the Grammys in the United States. ... Q is a music and entertainment magazinepublished monthly in the United Kingdom. ...

Nominations

This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Further reading

  • Story of a Band Called "The Human League" by Alaska Ross (Proteus July 1982) ISBN 978-0862761035
  • Human League(Perfect pop) by Peter Nash (Star 21 October 1982) ISBN 978-0352311511
  • Beats Working for a Living: Sheffield Popular Music 1973-1984 by Martin Lilleker (Juma March 2005) ISBN 978-1872204260

is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ...

See also

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Wikimedia Commons (also called Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Wikiquote is one of a family of wiki-based projects run by the Wikimedia Foundation, running on MediaWiki software. ...

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Windle, Rob: Officially recognised Human League biography
  2. ^ Kolling, Niels: The Black Hit of Space
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Turner, Sean: Blind Youth, a complete guide to The Human League 1977-1980.
  4. ^ "My Perfect Cousin" - D O'Neil, M Bradley -(c) Castle 1980
  5. ^ Maconie, Stewart: NME 1990
  6. ^ a b c d British Hit Singles and Albums (Guinness 19th Edition) Guinness World Records Limited;(2 June 2007) ISBN-978-1904994107
  7. ^ The 50 albums that changed music guardian.co.uk Arts
  8. ^ Wikiquote: q:Philip Oakey
  9. ^ LA Times Awards Archive
  10. ^ Virgin Records press release 1983
  11. ^ Human League interview, Best of DVD 2004
  12. ^ Tv Interview Eamon Holmes with Sulley, Catherall & Oakey for GMTV broadcast 05/11/2002
  13. ^ Micheal Van Bockhorst, Nukove Records 2003
  14. ^ The Human League
  15. ^ Olsen, Stig (2007-12-30). www.humanleague.dk. Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
  16. ^ Red Entertainment Regeneration tour 2008
  17. ^ HL Studios company feature
  18. ^ Susan Ann Sulley
  19. ^ http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/big-in-falkirk/The-Human-League-are-going.2843758.jp
  20. ^ BBC News South East 27/11/07
  21. ^ NME Interview Benacssim

Eamonn Holmes on Sky News Eamonn Holmes (b. ... GMTV (Good Morning Television) is the national ITV breakfast television contractor,[1] broadcasting in the United Kingdom. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

The Human League does not have an official website as a matter of band policy, (Philip Oakey does not believe that the band is 'important' enough to require one). There are a small number of unofficial websites with detailed knowledge of the band:

  • "Blind Youth" - A website dedicated to the history of the original Human League (pre 1981).
  • "The Black Hit of Space" - A very detailed Human League history and statistics website.
  • " Susanne-Sulley.net" - Unofficial personal website, (includes Biography).
  • "www.humanleague.dk" - A site run by the band’s graphic designer, features previous band artwork.
Joanne Catherall (born 18 September 1962 in Sheffield) is one of the two female singers, of the synthpop band The Human League. ... Phil Oakey (born Philip Oakey on 2 October 1955, in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England), is a singer best-known as the frontman and co-founder of the popular synthpop band, The Human League. ... Susan Ann Sulley is a dancer and singer with The Human League. ... David Beevers is a long term associate member of the veteran British synthpop group The Human League. ... Neil Sutton is a long term associate member of the veteran British synthpop group The Human League. ... Ian Burden (born on 24 December 1957) was a keyboard player with British Synthpop band The Human League 1981 - 1989. ... Jo Callis (born May 2, 1951, Glasgow, Scotland) is a musician who played guitar with Edinburgh-based punk rock band The Rezillos. ... Ian Craig Marsh (born 11 November 1956) is a British musician, a founding member of the electronic band The Human League, writing and playing on their first two albums and several singles, until leaving in 1980 to form B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation) and later Heaven 17. ... Martyn Ware (born on 19 May 1956, in Sheffield, Yorkshire) is one of the leading figures in electronic music. ... Philip Adrian Wright (also known as Adrian Wright) (born on 30 June 1956. ... An album or record album is a collection of related audio or music tracks distributed to the public. ... Reproduction is the debut album released by English synthpop band The Human League. ... This article is about the Human League album. ... Dare! was the third album released by The Human League, and the first to feature singers Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catheral. ... Love and Dancing is an EP released by English synthpop band The Human League in 1982. ... Hysteria is an album recorded by English synthpop band The Human League. ... Track listing Money Swang Human Jam Are you ever coming back? I need your loving Party Love on the run The real thing Love is all that matters ... Romantic? is an album recorded by English synthpop band The Human League. ... Octopus is the seventh full-length studio album recorded by English synthpop band The Human League. ... Secrets is an album recorded by English synthpop band The Human League. ... An album or record album is a collection of related audio or music tracks distributed to the public. ... Greatest Hits is a compilation album released by English synthpop band The Human League. ... The Golden Hour of the Future is a studio album constructed from the early recordings and demo tapes of the 1977 electronic band The Future which was the early incarnation of synthpop group The Human League. ... The Very Best of the Human League is a greatest hits compilation by British band The Human League. ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... Being Boiled was a single released by The Human League. ... I Dont Depend on You is a disco-influenced song by the British Synthpop group The Human League released under the pseudonym The Men. ... Empire State Human is an Electronica song by the British Synthesizer group The Human League. ... Boys and Girls is a song by the British Synthpop group The Human League. ... Sound Of The Crowd is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ... Love Action (I Believe in Love) is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ... Open Your Heart is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ... Don’t You Want Me is a single by the British Synthpop group The Human League. ... Mirror Man is a Motown-inspired song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ... (Keep Feeling) Fascination is a dance song performed by The Human League and composed by Jo Callis and Philip Oakey. ... The Lebanon was a song releasd in 1984 by the synthpop band The Human League. ... Life on Your Own is a song by the British Synthpop group The Human League. ... Human is a song recorded by English synthpop band The Human League. ... Every Day is a New Day is a 1999 album released by American soul singer Diana Ross, on the Motown label. ... This article is about the song . ... Let Your Dim Light Shine is an album from 1995 from the band Soul Asylum. ... The second release from The Human Leagues 1995 Album Octopus. ... “Filling up with Heaven” is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ... Stay With Me Tonight is a 1982 single by funk musician Jeffrey Osborne. ... Love Me Madly? is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. ... // Extended play (EP) is the name typically given to vinyl records or CDs which contain more than one single but are too short to qualify as albums. ... The Dignity Of Labour is an 12 vinyl record released in 1979. ... Holiday 80 is an EP released by the original lineup of the British synthpop band The Human League. ... Fascination! is an EP released by English synthpop band The Human League in 1983. ... Bottom view of VHS cassette with magnetic tape exposed Top view of VHS cassette with front casing removed The Video Home System, better known by its abbreviation VHS, is a recording and playing standard. ... DVD (also known as Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc - see Etymology) is a popular optical disc storage media format. ... This article is about the DVD. For the album, see The Very Best of the Human League. ... The Human League Live at the Dome is a DVD by veteran British Synthpop group The Human League, containing a recording of a complete concert. ... Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating in Sheffield in the early 1980s. ... Martin Rushent is an English musician and record producer. ... Jam and Lewis (Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis) are R & B writer/producers who enjoyed great success in the 1980s with various artists, most notably Janet Jackson. ... Giorgio Moroder (born Giovanni Giorgio Moroder on April 26, 1940 in Ortisei, Italy) is an Academy Award-winning Italian record producer, songwriter and performer, whose groundbreaking work with synthesizers during the 1970s was a significant influence on new wave, techno and electronic music in general. ... Fast Product was an independent record label, established in Edinburgh, Scotland by Bob Last in December 1977. ... Synthpop is a subgenre of New Wave in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. ... For other uses, see Sheffield (disambiguation). ... The Crazy Daisy Nightclub was a Discotheque / Dance club in Sheffield,UK in late 1970s - early 1980s. ... Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder was a collaborative album released in 1985 by Phil Oakey, lead singer of the electronic band The Human League and producer Giorgio Moroder. ... Together In Electric Dreams is a song by the British singer and composer Philip Oakey and producer Giorgio Moroder. ...

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The League's special mission for 65 years has been defending individual human rights advocateswho have risked their lives to promote the ideals of a just and civil society in their homelands.
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In 1979, David Bowie said, "Listening to The Human League is like listening to 1980." While this was clearly meant as a comment on the League's futuristic, groundbreaking synth-pop sound, a quarter of a century later it has taken on a different meaning.
What you get is seventeen songs, three or four camera angles, and The Human League stationed symmetrically on a sparsely decorated stage whose cool blue lights and white microphone stands suggest an obsession with retro-futurism (not the future Bowie probably envisioned for 2003).
While Human League fans would probably be happier with footage of the band from their prime, this concert shows that they haven't lost their way over the last few decades.
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