Danny Wilson (band)

Danny Wilson
Origin	Dundee, Scotland
Genres	New Wave, pop rock, synthpop
Years active	1984–1991
Labels	Virgin Records
Past members
Gary Clark Kit Clark Ged Grimes

Danny Wilson were a New Wave group formed in Dundee, Scotland.

History

Having been initially formed in the early 80's performing under the names Perfect Strangers and then Dream Kitchen, brothers Gary Clark (vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist) and Kit Clark (guitarist) formed a band with friend Ged Grimes in 1984, initially under the name Spencer Tracy. However, after objections from the estate of Spencer Tracy, they changed their name to Danny Wilson, as taken from the 1952 Frank Sinatra film, Meet Danny Wilson.

Initially spotted busking around Dundee, they signed to Virgin Records in 1986. The following year they released the album, Meet Danny Wilson; the lead single, "Mary's Prayer" was initially unsuccessful in the United Kingdom, but it eventually became a Top 30 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart later that year. Buoyed by this success it was re-released in 1988, and reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart.^[1] The band released its second and final album, Bebop Moptop the following year, including the hit single "The Second Summer Of Love", which reached number 23.^[2] They broke up in 1991.^[3]

Following the break-up of Danny Wilson, Gary Clark embarked on a solo career. He was in the bands King L and Transister, before turning his attention to writing and producing other artists, such as Natalie Imbruglia, Liz Phair, Nick Carter, Ashley Parker Angel, k.d. lang, Ferras and Spice Girls Melanie C and Emma Bunton. He is currently living in Los Angeles, California.

Kit Clark continues to perform with his band, Swiss Family Orbison. Having spent time as a music writer for computer games, Grimes is currently the bass player for Simple Minds (and has also played with another high-profile Scottish rock band, Deacon Blue).

Discography

Albums

• Meet Danny Wilson (1987)
• Bebop Moptop (1989)
• Sweet Danny Wilson / Three-In-A-Bed Romp (1991)

Singles

• "Mary's Prayer" (1987/1988)
• "Davy" (1987/1988)
• "A Girl I Used to Know" (1988)
• "The Second Summer Of Love" (1989)
• "Never Gonna Be the Same" (1989)
• "I Can't Wait" (1990)
• "If You Really Love Me (Let Me Go)" (1991)

References

1. ^ "Peak position of Mary's Prayer">
2. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 140. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
3. ^ "Bio at Discogs.Com">

External links

• Danny Wilson on Myspace
• Gary Clark on Myspace
• Kit Clark on Myspace
• Ged Grimes on Myspace
• Gary Clark and Danny Wilson Discography
• Swiss Family Orbison
• Listen To Mary's Prayer