The Fizz

The Fizz are a British pop music group formed in 2004 as a spin-off from the original group, Bucks Fizz. The core of the group consists of Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston, who are all former members of Bucks Fizz and performed as OBF (Original Bucks Fizz) initially with Shelley Preston and then replaced by Jay Aston. The group then performed as Formerly of Bucks Fizz, and Bobby McVay later became a member in 2015, making the group a quartet, and then renaming as The Fizz until he left in 2018. To date, the group have released four albums, three of which have charted in the Official UK Albums Chart. Their 2017 album The F-Z of Pop reached No.25, becoming the highest-charting Bucks Fizz related album in 33 years. In 2018, Christmas with the Fizz was released. In 2020, Smoke & Mirrors was released, reaching number 29 in the Official UK Albums Chart and number 6 on the Official Sales Chart.

For the television programme, see The FIZZ.

The Fizz
Background information
Also known asThe Original Bucks Fizz, Cheryl, Mike & Jay
OriginUnited Kingdom
Genres
Years active2004–present
Websitewww.thefizzofficial.com
MembersCheryl Baker
Mike Nolan
Jay Aston
Past membersShelley Preston
Stephen Fox
Bobby McVay

The Original Bucks Fizz
Mike Nolan, Cheryl Baker, Shelley Preston & Bobby G at Wembley Arena in 2004

In December 2004, Bobby G, Mike Nolan, Cheryl Baker and Shelley Preston reformed briefly after 15 years apart to be part of 'The Here and Now Tour' of the UK.[1] To distinguish this line-up from G's other group, they renamed themselves The Original Bucks Fizz (although Preston was not in the original four, she was the only other member to have been in a recording contract with chart success whilst in the group). Due to prior commitments with the current lineup of the group, G could not make all of the dates played, but did appear at some shows. Following this, Nolan, Baker and Preston subsequently performed more shows together as a three-piece under the same title and featured in the Congratulations show, the 50th Anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen. In September 2008, Preston, Baker, Nolan and Aston reunited for a makeover show Pop Goes the Band for Living TV, which was screened in March 2009.

In April 2009, Preston left The Original Bucks Fizz. Soon after it was announced that original member Jay Aston would be joining Baker and Nolan in the group for live shows — the first time she has been a part of Bucks Fizz since 1985.[2][3][4] In October 2009, this line-up embarked on their first tour, encompassing 10 venues across the UK as well as a special gig at Newcastle to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their coach crash.[5] The group released their debut single on 24 May 2010, which was a jazz-style reworking of their hit "I Hear Talk".[6] In January 2011, while preparing for a 30th anniversary tour, The Original Bucks Fizz became caught up in a legal conflict with Bobby G over the use of the Bucks Fizz name. Baker, Nolan and Aston sought legal advice over the matter.

A mini 30th Anniversary tour took place in May 2011, while a larger scale gig took place at the London Palladium on 11 July 2011 to celebrate their 30 years. The group also recorded their debut album, Fame & Fortune?, which was a new studio album comprising six reworked Bucks Fizz tracks along with six original tracks composed by the group. The first of these, "This Day is Mine" was premiered at the May gigs and was also played on BBC Radio.[7] The release of the album was put on hold until after the court case verdict.

A hearing between The Original Bucks Fizz and Bobby G took place on 15 July 2011.[8] On 22 August 2011 the judge found in favour of G with the reasoning that since his wife (Heidi Manton, also a member of his group) owned the Bucks Fizz name, the use of the name The Original Bucks Fizz was an impediment on their trademark.[9] The Original Bucks Fizz sent an appeal to the high courts but was subsequently dropped.

OBF

On 3 April 2012, the group re-launched as OBF. They performed some shows around the weekend of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest and released the debut album on Saturday 26 May.[10] It was made available through their official website.[11] During 2014, the group rebranded as Cheryl, Mike and Jay - Formerly of Bucks Fizz. In 2014, the group gained a temporary fourth member, singer Stephen Fox who had been a member of their supporting band at live shows. In 2015, the group embarked on an extensive tour of the UK,[12] now officially as a four-piece with former vocalist of 1980s group Sweet Dreams, Bobby McVay. This was the group's biggest undertaking with more than 40 dates throughout the year, ending on 30 October 2015.[13]

The Fizz (2016–present)

On 1 April 2016, the group, including McVay, performed at the London Hippodrome theatre to celebrate 35 years since Bucks Fizz won Eurovision. A UK tour titled "Make Believe Tour 2016" took place during 2016. In December 2016 the group released a re-recording of Bucks Fizz's biggest hit, "The Land of Make Believe", produced by Mike Stock. The limited edition CD sold out on pre-release. This was followed by a digital download version.

Rebranded "The Fizz" the group released an album The F-Z of Pop via Pledge Music in September 2017. The album, also produced by Mike Stock, contains three re-imagined Bucks Fizz tracks and eight original songs, some co-written by the band,one written by band member Cheryl's daughter. The album entered the charts at No.25, their highest chart position for 31 years.[14] The group also performed a third tour throughout 2017 and released three singles during the year.

In February 2018, McVay departed from the group as, living in Italy, he found it challenging to be constantly travelling between the UK and Italy. Baker, Nolan and Aston decided to continue to perform as a trio until they find a replacement.[15]

In June 2018, Aston was diagnosed with mouth cancer and was to undergo surgery in July to have part of her tongue replaced.[16] By November she had returned to performing with the group. Before her surgery she completed her vocals for the group's next album Christmas with the Fizz. Consisting of Christmas standards and original tracks with a festive theme, this was released in November 2018 and entered the UK albums chart at No.93.[17]

Following Aston's brief departure following her surgery, Baker and Nolan performed as a duo, assisted by backing singers Lance Ellington and Zoe Nicholas.

In 2019, the group recorded a third studio album, Smoke & Mirrors, which was released in the UK and digital platforms on 6 March 2020. The album was released on CD, standard vinyl, limited edition blue vinyl and cassette.

In 2020, The Fizz embarked on an 'Up Close and Personal Tour' performing and sharing stories about their life, a fan Q&A and band days. Jay Aston and Mike Nolan featured in a Eurovision Pointless Celebrities special the same year, sadly being eliminated in round one after both failed to give a correct answer.

Discography

Albums
Title Album details Chart peak
UK
[18]		 SCO
[19]		 UK Sales[20]
Fame and Fortune?
  • Released: May 2012
 - - -
The F-Z of Pop
  • Released: 22 September 2017
 25 23 14
Christmas with the Fizz
  • Released: 16 November 2018
 93 65 54
Smoke & Mirrors
  • Released: 6 March 2020
 29 6 6

Singles
Year Title Chart peak Album
UK
[21]
2010 "I Hear Talk (Live)" - non album track
2016 "The Land of Make Believe 2016" -
2017 "Dancing in the Rain" - The F-Z of Pop
"Amen" -
"Home for My Heart" (featuring Rick Wakeman) -
2018 "Up for the Fight" -
"Don't Start Without Me" - Christmas with the Fizz
2020 "Winning Ways" - Smoke & Mirrors

Line-up
  • Mike Nolan (2004–present)
  • Cheryl Baker (2004–present)
  • Shelley Preston (2004–2009)
  • Jay Aston (2009–present)
  • Stephen Fox (2014)
  • Bobby McVay (2015–2018)


References
  1. "Stars still run for the sun". Chronicle live. 15 December 2004. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  2. Rosy Moorhead (22 June 2015). "Former Bucks Fizz star Mike Nolan talks to Rosy Moorhead about the group's gig at Watford Colosseum". Watford Observer. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  3. "Bucks Fizz star Jay Aston 'positive' after cancer surgery". London: BBC News. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  4. The Original Bucks Fizz – News
  5. The Original Bucks Fizz October 2009 tour
  6. The Original Bucks Fizz. "Blog – May 2010". Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  7. BBC Radio Two, "The Steve Wright Show" (hosted by Chris Tarrant), 11 May 2011
  8. Sky News (17 July 2011). "Bucks Fizz acts in legal battle". UK. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  9. IPO (18 August 2011). "Trade Marks Act 1994, Court case hearing" (PDF). London. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  10. RTÉ TV50 (24 May 2012). "Four Blondes and an Armed Escort". RTÉ News. Dublin. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  11. theobf.co.uk. "OBF website". Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  12. Official website. "Where to see us". Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  13. Official website - Formerly of Bucks Fizz Archived 17 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  14. "FIZZ | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  15. "News". www.thefizzofficial.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  16. "Bucks Fizz star has mouth cancer". BBC News. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018 – via www.bbc.com.
  17. "FIZZ | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  18. "FIZZ | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  19. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  20. "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  21. "UK Singles". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
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