Peter Cox (musician)

Peter Cox
Cox performing with Go West, 2008
Background information
Born (1955-11-17) 17 November 1955
Kingston, England
Genres Pop, blue-eyed soul
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Voice, drums, guitar, keyboards
Years active 1973–present
Labels Chrysalis Records
Associated acts Go West, Tony Hadley, Bernie Nolan, Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Website Peter Cox.org

Peter John Cox (born 17 November 1955) is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the British pop duo Go West.

Early career and Go West

Peter John Cox sang in his school choir and later as a chorister at The Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace. In his early twenties, he worked in a 'covers' band for The Mecca Organisation. While in residency in a Sheffield nightclub he began writing with longtime collaborator Richard Drummie, with whom he eventually signed a publishing deal. In 1982, Cox and West formed the band Go West, with Cox as lead singer and Drummie on guitar and backing vocals. For the next few years, Go West tried to land a recording contract until, with the help of manager John Glover and producer Gary Stevenson, they finally recorded their first two singles: "We Close Our Eyes" and "Call Me".

After Go West signed a deal with Chrysalis Records, "We Close Our Eyes" became a Top 5 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1985.[1] Other Go West singles released that year included "Call Me" (1985) and "Don't Look Down". The following year, Go West was named 'Best Newcomer' at the 1986 BRIT Awards.[2]

In 1990, Go West finally achieved success in the United States with their single "King of Wishful Thinking", which reached No. 8 on the U.S. charts and was featured on the soundtrack of the film Pretty Woman. "Faithful", released in 1992, reached no. 14 in the States.

Solo career

Cox moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to pursue a solo career.[3] His debut album Peter Cox was released in 1997 to critical acclaim. Songs on the album include "Ain't Gonna Cry Again", "What a Fool Believes" and "If You Walk Away". Subsequent CDs include Flame Still Burns (2001), Nine Miles High (2002), Desert Blooms (2002), Game For Fools (2005) and Motor City Music (2006). Cox also teamed up with Tony Hadley on the album Tony Hadley vs Peter Cox & Go West, released in 2004 and collaborated with Bernie Nolan on what was to be her final studio recording.

In 2003 Cox replaced Then Jerico's Mark Shaw on the UK TV reality show Reborn in the USA after Shaw stormed off the series in the show's first few days. Even though Cox had achieved previous success across the Atlantic as the singer of Go West, he was able to appear on the show as he was unknown in the US as a solo artist. He was a favourite to win but was voted off in New York after he forgot the lyrics to the Norah Jones hit he was performing. Following his departure from the show Cox reunited with old bandmate Richard Drummie and the eventual winner, Tony Hadley, for a three-month UK tour.

In 2008 Cox, Drummie and a new Go West line-up released the album futurenow and toured the UK.

On 16 October 2009 he was announced as the new lead singer with Manfred Mann's Earth Band following the departure of Noel McCalla. His first public appearance with them was on 19 October 2009 at The Brook in Southampton, United Kingdom. Robert Hart replaced him in 2011.

In April 2010 Cox recorded The S1 Sessions. The album includes cover versions of Lonestar's song "Amazed" and the Leon Russell song "This Masquerade".

In 2012 Cox released Riding The Blinds, an album of alt-country songs written by Nashville luminaries. His most recent CD is "Damn The Brakes", released in 2013.

Cox's voice has been described as "smooth as silk[,] but with a gritty underbelly."[4]

Discography

Solo albums

  • 1997: Peter Cox – Chrysalis Records UK No. 64
  • 2001: Flame Still Burns (EP) – Blueprint Records
  • 2002: Nine Miles High (EP) – Blueprint Records
  • 2004: Desert Blooms – Blueprint Records
  • 2004: Tony Hadley vs Peter Cox & Go West – Blueprint Records
  • 2005: Game For Fools (EP) – Blueprint Recording Corporation Ltd
  • 2006: Motor City Music – Curb Records
  • 2010: The S1 Sessions – Blueprint Recording Corporation Ltd
  • 2012: Riding The Blinds – Blueprint Recording Corporation Ltd
  • 2013: Damn the Brakes – Blueprint Recording Corporation Ltd

Solo singles

  • "Ain't Gonna Cry Again" (1997) – UK No. 37
  • "If You Walk Away" (1997) – UK No. 24
  • "What a Fool Believes" (1998) – UK No. 39[5]

References

  1. ↑ polyhex.com
  2. ↑ "Brit Awards Show History – 1986". Brit Awards. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Peter Cox Biography – ARTISTdirect Music". Artistdirect.com. 17 November 1955. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  4. ↑ http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/10201518.display/
  5. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 124. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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