Candyland
This multi-racial dance band from south London, England, generated a bit of critical attention in the early '90s. Their first demo was produced by Gil Norton (of Pixies fame) who 'discovered them'. Under the patronage of Jonathan King they played the Great British Music Weekend at Wembley before their first single, Fountain Of Youth, appeared. Felix Tod (vocals) and David Wesley Ayers, Jnr (guitar) formed the band having met Kenediid Osman (b. Somalia; bass) on the steps of a local mosque. Later they added Derrick McKenzie (b. Jamaica; drums) and Colin Payne (b. Southend, Essex, England; keyboards/financial adviser), a former stockbroker who had lost millions for his company. Unfortunately, his investment in Candyland was similarly ill-advised, as the music press snubbed the band once they learned of its sponsors.