Madness are a pop/ska band from Camden Town, London, England that formed in 1976. As of 2007, the band has continued to perform with their most recognised lineup of seven members, although it's varied slightly over the years. They were one of the most prominent bands of the late-70s 2 tone ska revival. However, as their career progressed, the band moved away from ska & closer toward conventional pop music. Madness achieved most of their success in the 80s. Madness spent exactly 214 weeks on the UK singles charts from 1980-89, thereby sharing the record for most weeks spent by a group in the 80s UK singles charts, with UB40. Formation The core of the band formed as The North London Invaders in 1976, and included Mike Barson (Monsieur Barso) on keyboards and vocals, Chris Foreman (Chrissy Boy) on guitar and Lee Thompson (Kix) on saxophone and vocals. They later recruited John Hasler on drums and Cathal Smyth (better known as Chas Smash) on bass guitar. Later in the year, they were joined by lead vocalist "Dikron". This six-piece lineup lasted until part way through 1977, when Graham McPherson (better known as Suggs) took over the lead vocals after seeing the band perform in a friend's garden. Smyth, who was poor on bass guitar, was replaced by Gavin Rogers, an acquaintance of Barson. McPherson was kicked out of the band for too often choosing to watch football instead of rehearsing. Thompson left the band after Barson criticis
1 | Cardiac Arrest | Madness |
2 | The Prince | The 2 Tone Collection: A Checkered Past |
3 | Blue Skinned Beast | Madness |
4 | Night Boat To Cairo | Madness |
5 | Tomorrow's Just Another Day | Total Madness...The Very Best Of Madness |
6 | House Of Fun | Madness |
7 | Our House | Divine Madness |
8 | Idiot Child | The Liberty Of Norton Folgate |
9 | Shut Up | Total Madness...The Very Best Of Madness |
10 | The Return Of The Los Palmas 7 | Divine Madness |
11 | ONE STEP BEYOND | Total Madness...The Very Best Of Madness |
12 | That Close | The Liberty Of Norton Folgate |
13 | One Step Beyond... | Just Say Yesterday |
14 | On The Town | The Liberty Of Norton Folgate |
15 | Our House | Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits Of The '80s, Vol. 6, |
16 | Uncle Sam | Total Madness...The Very Best Of Madness |
17 | Shut Up | Madness |
18 | Our House | Madness |
19 | Bingo | The Liberty Of Norton Folgate |
20 | We Are London | The Liberty Of Norton Folgate |