Steven Nicholas Jolley (born April 1950)[1][2] and Tony Swain (born 20 January 1952, London, England)[3] were a successful songwriting and record production duo in the United Kingdom in the early to mid-1980s, producing some of the top artists and songs of the era.
The pair met in 1975 when Swain was working as a television cameraman on The Muppet Show, where Jolley was sound technician and sometimes boom operator.[3] They formed the band Chaser in 1975 with Richard Palmer (rhythm guitar and percussion), Nick Adams (lead guitar), Ray Bailey (bass) and Brian Grant (drums). Chaser released the single "Red Rum" (1975), written by Jolley, Palmer and Swain, on Polydor as a tribute to the famous racehorse.[4] Swain left to pursue a career as a songwriter/record producer while Jolley released a single and an album with the English Boys in 1980.
Their first known collaborative work was released by the late Irish singer Joe Dolan on his 1980 album Turn Out the Light,[5] which featured four Jolley/Swain compositions. In 1981, they reunited to produce the debut single "Body Talk" for Imagination.[6] They produced four albums for the group and eight hit singles including "Just an Illusion" which peaked at number two in the UK Singles Chart[7] and "Music and Lights" which reached number one in both Italy and France, number 2 in Spain, 5 in the UK, as well as charting highly in several other countries. At the same time they produced albums and singles for Bananarama, including "Cruel Summer".[8]
They subsequently produced the album True for Spandau Ballet, with the title track reaching number one in the UK in 1983, and its follow-up Parade.[8] They also produced the album Alf for Alison Moyet on which the pair shared songwriting and musician credits for many of the tracks,[9] and were nominated for a BRIT Award for the song, "Love Resurrection". Most of their recordings and productions were done at Red Bus Studios in London.
Swain and Jolley also produced Kevin Kitchen for China Records. The album Split Personality,[10] and single "Put My Arms Around You",[11] were both released in 1985. The single reached No. 64 in the UK Singles Chart.[12]
In 1985, they released their own (instrumental) album, Backtrackin',[13] from which "Soul Street" was released as single.
After splitting up, Swain went on to produce Kim Wilde's million-selling Close album.[14][3] Jolley set up a record label and production company, releasing uptempo club version of Aznavour's What Makes A Man and other records, under the group name 'Marseilles'. He also went on to co-produce and write tracks for Bananarama's Pop Life album.
Swain was head A&R Consultant for Universal Records International. Jolley was later convicted of sexual offences involving minors and jailed for 18 months.[15]
Referencesedit
^"Songs written by Steve Jolley". SecondHandSongs.com. 5 November 1984. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
^"Steven Nicholas Jolley - Llandrindod Wells - Song Writer". Checkcompany.co.uk. 31 December 1992. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
^ abcd"Tony Swain | Biography & History". AllMusic. 20 January 1952. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
^"Chaser (12) - Red Rum (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
^"Joe Dolan - Turn Out The Light (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
^"Imagination - Body Talk (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
^"Jolley & Swain* - Back Trackin' (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
^"Kim Wilde - Close (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
^"Pop producer jailed over sex assault". Retrieved 12 July 2019.
April 18, 2024
jolley, swain, steven, nicholas, jolley, born, april, 1950, tony, swain, born, january, 1952, london, england, were, successful, songwriting, record, production, united, kingdom, early, 1980s, producing, some, artists, songs, birth, namesteven, nicholas, jolle. Steven Nicholas Jolley born April 1950 1 2 and Tony Swain born 20 January 1952 London England 3 were a successful songwriting and record production duo in the United Kingdom in the early to mid 1980s producing some of the top artists and songs of the era Jolley amp SwainBirth nameSteven Nicholas JolleyTony SwainOriginUnited KingdomGenresPop rockOccupation s Songwriters producersCareer editThe pair met in 1975 when Swain was working as a television cameraman on The Muppet Show where Jolley was sound technician and sometimes boom operator 3 They formed the band Chaser in 1975 with Richard Palmer rhythm guitar and percussion Nick Adams lead guitar Ray Bailey bass and Brian Grant drums Chaser released the single Red Rum 1975 written by Jolley Palmer and Swain on Polydor as a tribute to the famous racehorse 4 Swain left to pursue a career as a songwriter record producer while Jolley released a single and an album with the English Boys in 1980 Their first known collaborative work was released by the late Irish singer Joe Dolan on his 1980 album Turn Out the Light 5 which featured four Jolley Swain compositions In 1981 they reunited to produce the debut single Body Talk for Imagination 6 They produced four albums for the group and eight hit singles including Just an Illusion which peaked at number two in the UK Singles Chart 7 and Music and Lights which reached number one in both Italy and France number 2 in Spain 5 in the UK as well as charting highly in several other countries At the same time they produced albums and singles for Bananarama including Cruel Summer 8 They subsequently produced the album True for Spandau Ballet with the title track reaching number one in the UK in 1983 and its follow up Parade 8 They also produced the album Alf for Alison Moyet on which the pair shared songwriting and musician credits for many of the tracks 9 and were nominated for a BRIT Award for the song Love Resurrection Most of their recordings and productions were done at Red Bus Studios in London Swain and Jolley also produced Kevin Kitchen for China Records The album Split Personality 10 and single Put My Arms Around You 11 were both released in 1985 The single reached No 64 in the UK Singles Chart 12 In 1985 they released their own instrumental album Backtrackin 13 from which Soul Street was released as single They subsequently worked with Diana Ross Tom Robinson Errol Brown and Wang Chung as well as Louise Goffin daughter of Carole King and Gerry Goffin 3 They worked in London and LA with H S H Princess Stephanie of Monaco Later years editAfter splitting up Swain went on to produce Kim Wilde s million selling Close album 14 3 Jolley set up a record label and production company releasing uptempo club version of Aznavour s What Makes A Man and other records under the group name Marseilles He also went on to co produce and write tracks for Bananarama s Pop Life album Swain was head A amp R Consultant for Universal Records International Jolley was later convicted of sexual offences involving minors and jailed for 18 months 15 References edit Songs written by Steve Jolley SecondHandSongs com 5 November 1984 Retrieved 22 May 2016 Steven Nicholas Jolley Llandrindod Wells Song Writer Checkcompany co uk 31 December 1992 Retrieved 22 May 2016 a b c d Tony Swain Biography amp History AllMusic 20 January 1952 Retrieved 22 May 2016 Chaser 12 Red Rum Vinyl Discogs com Retrieved 22 May 2016 Joe Dolan Turn Out The Light Vinyl LP Album Discogs com Retrieved 22 May 2016 Imagination Body Talk Vinyl Discogs com Retrieved 22 May 2016 Roberts David 2006 British Hit Singles amp Albums 19th ed London Guinness World Records Limited p 267 ISBN 1 904994 10 5 a b Record producer s smash hit career BBC News BBC 23 January 2003 Retrieved 9 July 2014 Alison Moyet Alf Vinyl LP Album Discogs com 5 November 1984 Retrieved 22 May 2016 Kevin Kitchen Split Personality Vinyl LP Album Discogs com Retrieved 22 May 2016 Kevin Kitchen Put My Arms Around You Vinyl Discogs com Retrieved 22 May 2016 Roberts David 2006 British Hit Singles amp Albums 19th ed London Guinness World Records Limited p 305 ISBN 1 904994 10 5 Jolley amp Swain Back Trackin Vinyl LP Album Discogs com Retrieved 22 May 2016 Kim Wilde Close Vinyl LP Album Discogs com Retrieved 22 May 2016 Pop producer jailed over sex assault Retrieved 12 July 2019 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jolley 26 Swain amp oldid 1161646979, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
