Black (English band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Black

---

Img_capt = Colin Vearncombe in 2007
Img_size = 250
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Liverpool, England
Genre =
Years_active = 1984 – present
Label =
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members =

Black is the musical vehicle for singer/songwriter Colin Vearncombe (b. 26 May 1962, in Liverpool, England).

Career

Black's first release was "Human Features" on Rox Records in 1981. This was followed by another independent release in 1982 "More Than The Sun" (Wonderful World Of Records), after which Black was signed by WEA Records.

The first release for WEA was "Hey Presto" (1984), which got them noticed outside the UK: the video for this track featured on the satellite music channel Music Box, and the single was released in Australia. The second WEA single was a re-recording of "More Than The Sun". After this, Black was dropped from the record label. During this period, the band also included producer Dave Dix.

1985 was a gloomy year for Vearncombe, causing him to write the ironically entitled minor key song "Wonderful Life". Released independently at first, this track got Black noticed by A&M Records who signed Vearncombe and launched his international career. At first, the singles "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Sweetest Smile" were moderately successful in the UK alone, but the third single, a re-release of "Wonderful Life", was a massive hit worldwide. The album of the same name, released in 1987, had similar success, reaping commercial and critical acclaim.

Black then went on to sell over two million records worldwide with "Comedy" 1988 and "Black" 1991. In the meantime, Vearncombe's personal life took a turn for the better when he married Swedish singer Camilla Griehsel, formerly from the band One 2 Many. Disillusioned with having to deal with a big record company, Black's remaining member Vearncombe founded the independent label Nero Schwarz (which is the word Black in Italian and German, respectively), and released one album "Are We Having Fun Yet?" (1993).

After a prolonged hiatus, Vearncombe returned in 1999 to release a string of critically acclaimed recordings under his own name.

Vearncombe returned to the band format and name to release a new recording entitled "Between Two Churches" in November 2005.

Discography

Notes: Data for singles and albums from UK Singles Chart and UK Albums Chart.

Main albums

External links

* [http://www.colinvearncombe.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.colinvearncombe.nl/ Dutch fansite]
* [http://www.singleblackspot.com/ Single Black Spot (previously B-side Black)]