Andrew Roachford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew Roachford
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Roachford performing with Mike + The Mechanics in 2011
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| Background information | |
| Born | 22 January 1965 London, England |
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| Years active | 1987–present |
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Andrew Roachford (born 22 January 1965) is a British singer and songwriter. He is the main person behind the band Roachford. They became famous in 1989 with their hit songs "Cuddly Toy" and "Family Man". Andrew Roachford has also had a very successful career as a solo artist.
He received a special award called Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2019. This award was given to him for his great contributions to music.
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Andrew Roachford's Musical Journey
Andrew Roachford was born in London, England. The band named after him, Roachford, started in 1987. The original band members were Andrew Roachford on vocals, keyboards, and percussion. Chris Taylor played the drums, Hawi Gondwe played guitars, and Derrick Taylor played bass guitar.
Early Success and Tours
By 1988, the band was already on tour. They opened for popular acts like Terence Trent D'Arby and the Christians. Soon after, they signed a big recording contract with Columbia. This contract was for seven albums!
The band had a lot of success throughout the 1990s. For ten years, they were Columbia's best-selling UK act.
Solo Work and New Bands
Andrew Roachford released his first solo album, Heart of the Matter, in 2003. His next album, Word of Mouth, came out in June 2005. This album was released under the band name Roachford again.
In 2010, Andrew joined another famous band called Mike + The Mechanics. He joined along with Tim Howar. The next year, Mike + The Mechanics released their seventh album, The Road. Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar were the main singers on this album. They also sang on the band's eighth album, Let Me Fly, which came out in 2017.
Recent Music and Collaborations
Andrew Roachford worked with the singer Beverley Knight on his album Twice In a Lifetime. This album was released in September 2020. It reached number 31 on the UK Albums Chart. This was the first time a Roachford album made it into the top 40 in 23 years! The last time was in 1997 with the album Feel. His latest album, Than And Now, was released in March 2024.
Popular Songs and Albums
Roachford has released many albums and singles over the years. Their first album, Roachford, came out in 1988 and quickly became popular. It featured their breakout hits "Cuddly Toy" and "Family Man". "Cuddly Toy" was re-released in 1989 and became a top 5 hit in the UK.
Other successful albums include Get Ready! (1991) and Permanent Shade of Blue (1994). Permanent Shade of Blue was especially popular in Australia, reaching number 2 on the charts. Songs like "Only to Be with You" and "Lay Your Love on Me" were big hits from that album.
Andrew Roachford has also collaborated with other artists. He worked with Mousse T. on the song "Pop Muzak" in 2004. He also featured on "Survive" by Laurent Wolf in 2010. These collaborations helped his music reach even more listeners around the world.
