Black  Lace

Black Lace??. If you need to ask,  then check your pulse, you are most probably dead!   

 

           Black Lace, are renowned as the world’s foremost. Fun time Family act, with, over 41 years of experience. But the  band started its professional career at the beginning of 1976 comprising of –Alan Barton; Guitar/Vocals)—Colin Gibb ; Bass /Mandolin/Guitar/Vocals— Terry Dobson; Percussion/ Vocals, and Steve Scholey; Vocals/Guitar. Playing mainly the U.K’s Northern club Circuit. Managed, by nightclub owner –Keith Mills. In the first year Black Lace were awarded the accolade of Yorkshire ‘Band of the year’ by the BBC and went from strength to strength, collecting more awards.

 

          In 1979 Black Lace released there first single –Marry Ann- on the EMI label, and after winning the ‘Song for Europe’ contest, were chosen to represent the U,K in the prestigious ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ held in Jerusalem and finished a respectable 7th place

    

        Following  Eurovision, the band went on to play some of the biggest festivals in Eastern Europe, such as the ‘Golden Orpheus’ in Bulgaria, and ‘Sopot’ in Poland, playing to a worldwide TV audience of over, Two thousand million people.

 

 

      n 1981 the band sadly split leaving Alan and Col to continue. There biggest successes started here, having changed managers, and record labels, in favour of John Wagstaf and the NOW Music Co

 

 

     Since then, Black Lace, have had no less than 10 U.K. hit singles. Including the holiday favourites: ‘Music Man -– Superman –- Hockey Cokey –- Wig Wam Bam –- Do the Conga’’ and the incredibly successful ‘'Agadoo’', which sold over one million copies. Black Lace also had one of the biggest selling albums of the 80’s, '‘Party Party'’ which sold over 600,000 copies in just four weeks! The act also appeared on the cult film '‘Rita, Sue and Bob Too'’. To this day, Black Lace hits are regularly featured on TV programs such as; Eastenders - Coronation Street and Emmerdale

 

 

     Alter the tragic, and untimely death of fellow founder member –Alan Barton– in a road accident in Germany, whilst touring with ‘Smokey’  there were several personnel changes within the act, but this did not affect Black Lace’s popularity, and throughout the 90’s the act played many Universities, collages and the chain of ‘Jumping Jacks – Chicago Rock café and Brannigans cabaret venues, as well as hugely successful ‘Haven, Pontins and Butlins´ holiday centres. In fact Black Lace played the Butlins circuit longer than any other act, a consecutive ten years.

 

 

        Founder member – Colin Gibb - has taken the U.K. based act around the world, playing the party show throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Canada and the U.S.A.

 

 

       Black Lace were reputed to be one of the hardest working acts in the World, but this did not stop them taking time to raise money for many charities, and in the Summer of 1997, set up a special ‘Agadoo Day’ which raised over £25.000 for Marie Curie cancer care, by playing 20 shows in one day throughout England.

 

 

     Now residing In Tenerife, Colin, has taken the magic of Black Lace to the British holidaymakers and Residents alike. His  'solo' show, featuring all that you would expect from a 'Black Lace' evening. 

 

​

After teaming up with Guitarist/comedian- Gordon King, the Black Lace show today is a ‘Tongue in Cheek’- light hearted Journey through three Decades of Black Lace’s Extraordinary career. that has made the name; BLACK LACE, an institution, in the U.K.

     

____________________________________________________________________

 

WHO DID WHAT?

 

      For Some unknown reason, many musicians and singers, have professed to being a member of Black Lace, at some time or another, and will argue the point vigorously. However, the only official members and therefore, partners in the band have been ;

 

THE ORIGINAL FOUR

 

Alan Barton - Colin Gibb (Routh) – Terry Dobson – Steve Scholey

(Also, for a short time before the band turned professional, bass player )

Ian Howarth.

__________________________________________

LATER;

 

Dean Michael.

Although it is widely thought that, Dean is an ´original' member of Black Lace, he didn't actually join the act until 1986, initially as a 'Session' vocalist and becoming an 'official member the following year ( after the bands most successful period, and remained with the band for just 5 years.

​

2016. Colin Gibb Joined by Gordon King.

                            

Regardless of what anyone says, there has never been any other ‘Members’ of

Black Lace.

__________________________________________

 

SESSION MUSICIANS

 

              Rob Hopcraft & Camille and Katie, although worked with Black Lace on ‘Live’ shows and recordings, were however, recruited as session singers/dancers and paid accordingly by ‘Black Lace Ltd’

​

              Other session musicians to play on recordings, Include, Barry Whitfield (Keyboards). Nigel Hopkins (Brass). Bill Jessop (Keyboards). and Neil Hardcastle (drums).     

       

Black Lace’s record producers at ’Woodlands’ Recording studios - Neil Ferguson and Simon Humphreys, have also played on various recordings;