Information AboutMusical Youth |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT MUSICAL YOUTH | |
| musical groups established in 1979 | |
| english musical groups | |
| music from birmingham, england | |
| people of jamaican descent | |
| reggae musical groups | |
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BIOGRAPHY Although schoolboys, the group managed to secure gigs at certain Birmingham pubs and released a single, "Political" / "Generals", on local label 021 Records. An appearance on BBC Disc Jockey John Peel 's evening show brought further attention to the group, and they were signed to MCA Records . By that time, founding father Frederick Waite had backed down, to be replaced by Dennis Seaton as lead singer. During the winter of 1982 , the group issued one of the fastest-selling singles of the year in "Pass The Dutchie". (Commonly misconcepted to be written by Bob Marley .) Based on the Mighty Diamonds "Pass The Kouchie" (a song about Marijuana ), the title had been subtly altered to feature the Patois " Dutchie " (literally a " Cooking Pot "). The infectious enthusiasm of the group's performance captured the public's imagination, and duly propelled the record to Number 1 in the UK Singles Chart . It went on to sell over four million copies, and was nominated for a GRAMMY . A US Top 10 placing also followed. The catchy follow-up, "Youth Of Today", reached the UK Top 20, and early in 1983 , "Never Gonna Give You Up", climbed to UK Number 6. Minor successes with "Heartbreaker" and "Tell Me Why", were succeeded by a surprise collaboration with Donna Summer on the UK Top 20 hit " Unconditional Love ". A revival of Desmond Dekker 's " 007 " saw them back in the Top 30, but after one final hit with "Sixteen", they fell from commercial grace, and subsequently split up in 1985 when Seaton left the band. Plans to re-form were initially scotched when Patrick Waite, who had gone on to a career of juvenile crime, died of natural causes (hereditary heart condition) whilst awaiting a court appearance on drug charges. The Grant brothers remained involved in music, while Dennis Seaton released a solo set in 1989 , before going on to form his own band, XMY. However, by 2003 Musical Youth were back, appearing in a 1980s nostalgia tour. By 2005 , now reduced to just a duo of Michael Grant and Dennis Seaton, Musical Youth performed at Wiesen festival in Austria . BAND MEMBERS
DISCOGRAPHY
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