Amazulu (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Amazulu


Img_capt = Single cover for "Cairo"
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = flagicon|England London, England
Genre =New Wave Punk Ska Art rock Reggae
Years_active = 1983 - 1987
Label = Island Records
Associated_acts = Sinéad O'Connor Shakespear's Sister Coming Up Roses Damien Dempsey
Also Known As = Amazulu II
URL =
Current_members = Anne-Marie Ruddock Margo Sagov Clare Kenny Nardo Bailey Sharon Bailey Lesley Beach
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Amazulu were a British ska and new wave band from the 1980s.

Career

Early days and success

The band formed primarily as an all female band, except one member, Nardo Bailey on drums. The name "Amazulu" is taken from the Zulu language word for the Zulu people. Former manager for X-Ray Spex and Adam & the Ants, Falcon Stuart discovered the act and helped promote their first single, "Cairo" to modest success in the UK, including airplay by John Peel.

The band started gaining appearances on TV "Top of the Pops" (1985) and "The Young Ones" (1984) which helped trigger their fame amongst a wider audience with hits such as "Moonlight Romance" and "Excitable". The band broke into the United States with "Montego Bay" (a cover of the 1970 song by Bobby Bloom) in 1986. That same year saw the release of their eponymous full length album, released on Island Records. They achieved a great success in the UK with "Too Good To Be Forgotten", which made it to #5 in 1986, their best showing there.

Break up

Breaking up in 1987, Anne-Marie Ruddock, Sharon Bailey and Lesley Beach continued to play on as Amazulu II, to little success. Ruddock went on to perform in the Alex Cox film, "Straight to Hell". The most notable member of the band with later success was Clare Kenny who went on to join Coming Up Roses, and eventually became a session player with Sinéad O'Connor, Shakespears Sister and Damien Dempsey.

The band are mentioned in the song "Asbestos" by Suede from their album Head Music.

Discography

Albums

External links

* [http://www.music.us/biography/artist/9889/amazulu.html Amazulu biography]
* [http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=3774 Chart Positions]