Paul Young
b. 17 January 1956, Luton, Bedfordshire, England. Prior to his major success as a solo artist Young was a former member of Streetband, who made the UK charts with the novelty record Toast. He was then part of the much-loved Q Tips, a band that did much to preserve an interest in '60s’ soul and R&B. As Q Tips collapsed from exhaustion and lack of finance, Young signed as a solo artist with CBS. Following two flop singles, his smooth soul voice captured the public's imagination with a superb chart-topping version of Marvin Gaye's Wherever I Lay My Hat. The following NO PARLEZ was a phenomenally triumphant debut, reaching number 1 in the UK and staying in the charts for well over two years. Now, having sold several million copies, this album remains his finest work. It was a blend of carefully chosen and brilliantly interpreted covers including Love Will Tear Us Apart ( Joy Division) and Love Of The Common People (Nicky Thomas) together with excellent originals like Come Back And Stay. After touring to support the album, Young experienced a recurring problem with his voice, which continues to plague his career. It was two years before he was able to record the SECRET OF ASSOCIATION, but the quality of material was intact. 
The album also topped the UK chart and produced three top 10 singles including Everything Must Change and a cover of Daryl Hall's Every Time You Go Away. He appeared at Live Aid, duetting with Alison Moyet, although it was obvious that his voice was once again troublesome. BETWEEN TWO FIRES was a below par album, although his fans still made it a hit. Little was heard from Young for over a year, and while it was assumed that his voice was continuing to cause him problems, Young was merely re-assessing his life. He made an encouraging return singing Crowded House's Don't Dream Its Over at the Nelson Mandela Concert at Wembley in 1988 after which Young went into hibernation until 1990; this time by his own admission he was ‘decorating his house’. In 1990 he returned with OTHER VOICES and an accompanying tour. Once again his choice of material was tasteful and included versions of Don't Dream It's Over Free's Little Bit Of Love and Bobby Womack's Stop On By. His was one of the better performances of the Freddie Mercury tribute concert at Wembley Stadium in May 1992. Voice permitting, Young is destined for continuing success, having proved that with a sparse recorded output his sizeable following remains loyal and patient.