PAUL Young has laid his hat in numerous places during a career spanning five decades.
And with a new UK tour now announced 61-year-old Paul will be doing it all over again in 2018.
Best known for a string of solo hits in the 1980s, the former singer with Streetband and the much under-rated Q Tips, will be appearing at Manchester Academy 2 on Friday, February 9.
It promises to be a memorable gig with support from another front line 80s band, China Crisis.
And one lucky reader and their guest will be going to see the show, courtesy of the Shaw and Crompton Correspondent (see competition on the right).
Paul was born in Luton and worked with his dad at the Vauxhall Motors car plant after leaving school.
At night he developed his musical career, learning to play piano and bass guitar.
But with the death of Prog rock and emergence of New Wave, there was only a narrow market for Paul’s favoured Soul style.
However, he kept persevering, formed Q Tips and played more than 700 shows all over the UK.
When they folded in 1982, Paul signed as a solo artist with CBS/Sony and released his memorable ‘No Parlez’ album which produced the number one singles, Wherever I Lay My Hat’ and ‘Come Back And Stay’.
With the release of his second album ‘The Secret of Association’ and the success of ‘Every Time You Go Away’ his status as a world star was confirmed.
In 1987, Paul recorded his third album, ‘Between Two Fires’, in Milan where he met the Italian singer Zucchero.
One of the highlights of the 1989 Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert was Paul’s performance of the Crowded House song ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over.’
Fast forward to the end of 2015 and he was contacted by Gary Barlow and asked to consider recording a song for a soundtrack the Take That superstar was producing for a movie based around the story of Eddie the Eagle.
The song in question was ‘People Like Us’ while 2016 saw the release of a new album, ‘Good Thing’.
Eddie Lundon and Gary Daly are the founder members of China Crisis who started in Kirkby, Merseyside back in 1979.
China Crisis found major success in the UK with five Top 40 singles, 10 Top 50 singles including Black Man Ray, King in a Catholic Style and Christian.
They will be performing these classics and more, alongside tracks from the new album Autumn in the Neighbourhood.
Tickets are available online.
COMPETITION!
THE Shaw and Crompton Correspondent has teamed up with MP Promotions to offer one reader and a guest tickets to watch Eighties stars, Paul Young and China Crisis at Manchester Academy 2 on Friday, February 9, 2018.
To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question:
Paul Young’s debut album was called ‘No Parlez’ – but what was his second? Was it:
A The Secret of Association
B The Secret of Organisation
C: The Secret of Information
Email your answer to trevor@localcommunications.co.uk or write to: Paul Young Tickets, Shaw and Crompton Correspondent, Units 3-4, 45 High Street, Uppermill, OL3 6HS.
The closing date is Friday, November 24, 2017. The judges will draw a wining name at random and their decision is final.