For a couple of years in the mid 80s he was frontman for one of the most successful pop groups in the world: The Thompson Twins. Videos for their hits "Sister of Mercy", "King for a Day" and especially 1983's "Hold Me Now" were MTV staples. Yeah, Tom Bailey had it all: good looks, hit records and millions of adoring fans. He also had a nervous breakdown when the band were at the height of their career which forced them to cancel a UK tour. Bailey thankfully recovered but the band's reputation never seemed to regain it's legs. They broke up in 1993.
These days Bailey lives in England (or France depending on who you believe) and is the leader of dub band
International Observer which has released 4 albums to mixed reviews. He also collaborates with visual artist José Francisco Salgado in the quasi-scientific audiovisual ensemble,
The Bailey-Salgado Project or BSP.
I saw thompson twins in th 80s. they got called back for 3 encores but they played hold me now each time. pretty wierd but a great show anyway.
ReplyDeleteI still miss Thompson Twins. Tom Bailey is an extremely underrated writer who can write any style of music. I miss Thompson Twins unique style and the fact they did everything themselves - they wrote their own songs, came up with their own video ideas, designed their own record sleeves, designed their own live shows, designed their own clothes etc. They were a very talented bunch.
ReplyDeleteThey WERE a deeply talented band, with great songs and a hard time in the press but why did Alana insist on making herself so very unattractive?? Imho her dumb 'look' drew attention away from the music and that was always a great shame as somehow it put people like me off following them for any length of time.
ReplyDeleteLoved Tom Bailey. That hair! At the time that was so cool and he was hot. Great songs that I still play today. Miss the 80's.
ReplyDeleteI wish there were more details on Tom's nervous breakdown. I'm in the process of rediscovering this band. All I know of them is "Hold Me Now", "Lies", and "If You Were Here". I recently got a bunch of their ablums/box set so I can't wait to dig deeper. Their music reminds me so much of my childhood. I was young at the time but their music reminds me of playing with blocks and toys while MTV played on the TV in the background. I built massive LEGO cities to the sounds of the Thompson Twins.
ReplyDeleteI met Tom a few years ago. He said has homes in both France and the UK now. He was DJ'ing at the Blind Tiger Club, it was a really good night!
ReplyDeleteThe Thompson twins along with pretty much most any NEWWAVE band but many 80s artists wre and still AMAZING .. Definitely music ..diverse . Doesn't sound the same .. Def talent by far than most anything since the 80s
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