Junior Giscombe

Junior Giscombe (born Norman Washington Giscombe, 6 June 1957,^[1] Wandsworth, London) is a singer-songwriter (frequently known simply by the mononym, Junior) who was one of the first British R&B artists to be successful in the United States.

Career

Giscombe was a backing vocalist with Linx between 1980 and 1982.

When turning towards a solo career, he was first billed simply as Junior and he scored a #7 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1982, with "Mama Used to Say".^[2] His follow-up single, "Too Late" also made the Top 20 in the UK.^[2] "Mama Used to Say" was also a Top 40 Pop hit and Top 5 R&B in the United States, earning him a "Best Newcomer" award from Billboard magazine.^[3]

Sometime (most likely) around 1984 and 1985, Junior Giscombe recorded (and very possibly co-wrote) an unknown number of songs with Phil Lynott, the former leader, vocalist and bass-player of hard rock band Thin Lizzy. Lynott died in January 1986 and the songs were never officially released. Most remain as demos, but one of the songs, "Lady Loves to Dance", was mastered and nearly released before being pulled by the record company. Some of the songs are available on YouTube, including "What's the Matter Baby" (Giscombe provides backing vocals) and "Time (and Again)" (Giscombe shares vocals with Lynott).

After a period outside the charts, he made a brief return to the Top 10 in 1987 when he sang a duet with Kim Wilde on "Another Step (Closer to You)". He also became involved with the formation of Red Wedge in 1986 with Billy Bragg, Jimmy Somerville and Paul Weller, and had been a part of The Council Collective with The Style Council, Jimmy Ruffin and others for the 1984 fundraising single, "Soul Deep". Later he became better known as a songwriter for various artists, including Sheena Easton. He is currently a DJ with internet radio station, Solarradio.com.^[4]

Giscombe is the uncle of the UK comedian, Richard Blackwood, who sampled "Mama Used to Say" on his single "Mama - Who Da Man" in June 2000.

Discography

Singles

On Mercury Records:

• "Mama Used to Say" (1982), No 7 UK Singles Chart, R&B No 2, US No 30
• "Too Late" (1981), No 20 UK, R&B No 8
• "Let Me Know"/"I Can't Help It" (1982), No 53 UK
• "Communication Breakdown" (1983), No 57 UK, R&B No 40

On London Records:

• "Somebody" (1984), No 64 UK
• "(Do You Really) Want My Love" (1985), No 47 UK
• "Oh Louise" (1985), No 74

On MCA Records:

• "Another Step (Closer to You)" (credited to Kim Wilde and Junior) (1987) No 6 UK
• "Step Off" (1990), No 63 UK (credited to Junior Giscombe)
• "Then Came You" (1992), No 32 UK (credited to Junior Giscombe)
• "All Over the World" (1992), No 74 UK (credited to Junior Giscombe)

^[2]

Independently

• "Mama Used To Say (2011 Version) (with Mumzy Stranger)

Albums

• Ji (Mercury Records 1982), No 28 UK
• Inside Lookin' Out (1983)
• Acquired Taste (1985)
• Sophisticated Street (1988)
• Stand Strong (1990)
• "Renewal" (1992)
• "Honesty" (1995)
• "Oceans" (2005)
• "Prisoner of Hope" (2011)

^[2]

Prisoner of Hope 2011

1. ^ Birth in England and Wales 1837 - 2006
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 293. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
3. ^ Juniorgiscombe.co.uk
4. ^ Solar Radio

External links

• Junior Giscombe's website

Persondata
Name	Giscombe, Junior
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	6 June 1957
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death