The Passions

Bio:

The Passions were a West London band of the late 70's and early 80's, who helped create the template for the introspective, quirky pop common in the Indie era. Signed to Fiction records with the Cure, their debut album Michael And Miranda featured ringing, echoed guitars and observant lyrics. The Passions had a two boy, two girl line up that added to their fresh appeal. After a personnel change and newly signed to Polydor Records in 1980, the Passions released two singles, The Swimmer and I'm In Love With A German Film Star. The latter became a hit and exposed the band to a new audience. Five more singles and two albums followed, Thirty Thousand Feet Over China and Sanctuary. The band toured Britain and Europe extensively and performed in America during 1983, making many new friends. Lack of business acumen and explosive personal relationships caused the Passions to implode on their return to Britain. The band's last ever gig was at the Marquee in Wardour Street on the 28th August 1983, counted by many as the best they ever did.

In the last few years there has been increasing interest in the band, more than a quarter of a century after they split, and an ever growing collection of cover versions of German Film Star, at least a dozen to date including one by the Foo Fighters in 2005 and another by the Pet Shop Boys in 2008.

None of the band's material was available for many years but as a result of the recent interest some of the back catalogue has been re-issued and hopefully the rest will follow in due course.

'Thirty Thousand Feet Over China', originally released on Polydor in 1981 has been re-released as a CD with five bonus tracks on Cherry Red Records and is available in good record shops and from all online retailers including:
Cherry Red
Amazon UK
Amazon US
HMV
Ideal Copy

'I'm In Love With A German Film Star', the original 1981 single now re-released as a download:
UK iTunes
US iTunes

For everthing there is to know about the Passions and German Film Star, go to www.thepassions.co.uk and wikipedia

For Passions related discussion and chat go to the forum or Facebook

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Member Since:

June 23, 2006

Members:

'Michael and Miranda': Claire Bidwell (bass), Barbara Gogan (vocals/guitar), Clive Timperley (guitar), Richard Williams (drums)

'30,000 Feet Over China': Barbara Gogan (vocals/guitar), Clive Timperley (guitar), David Wardill (bass), Richard Williams (drums)

'Sanctuary': Barbara Gogan (vocals/guitar), David Wardill (bass), Richard Williams (drums) plus Kevin Armstrong (guitar), Jeff Smith (synthesiser)















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Record Label:

Fiction, Polydor, Cherry Red