Graham Parker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Graham Parker
Background information
Birth name	Graham Thomas Parker
Born	(1950-11-18) 18 November 1950 (age 74) Hackney, London, England
Genres	Rock, new wave, pub rock, soul, rhythm and blues
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, musician, writer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1970s–present
Labels	100% Records, Arista, Big Stir, Bloodshot, Buy or Die, Capitol, Dakota Arts, Demon, Elektra, Hannibal, Hip-O, Mercury, Razor & Tie, RCA, Rebound, Rock the House Entertainment Group, UpYours, Vertigo Canada & UK, Windsong UK
Associated acts	The Rumour, The Figgs

Graham Thomas Parker (born 18 November 1950) is an English singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer of the British rock band Graham Parker & the Rumour. His music combines many styles, including rock, soul, and new wave.

Early Life and First Bands

Graham Parker was born in Hackney, a part of East London, in 1950. When he was a teenager, he was inspired by bands like the Beatles. He and his friends formed a band called the Black Rockers. They dressed like rock stars but didn't actually learn to play their instruments.

As he got older, Parker became a big fan of soul music, especially artists like Otis Redding. He left school at 16 and had many different jobs. He worked at a research center, picked tomatoes, and even worked in a bakery. During this time, he bought a guitar and started writing his own songs.

In the early 1970s, Parker traveled to places like Morocco and Gibraltar. He improved his guitar skills and even performed on TV in Gibraltar. He joined a band called Pegasus, which he later renamed. He taught the band to play soul songs, which were different from their usual style.

Forming The Rumour

In the mid-1970s, Parker returned to England, determined to have a career in music. He put an ad in the Melody Maker magazine looking for musicians to back him up. This led him to meet people who would help him get a record deal.

In 1975, Parker formed the band Graham Parker and the Rumour. The band members came from other groups in the British pub rock scene. Pub rock was a style of music that was played in small, local pubs. The band members were:

• Graham Parker (lead vocals, guitar)
• Brinsley Schwarz (lead guitar)
• Bob Andrews (keyboards)
• Martin Belmont (rhythm guitar)
• Andrew Bodnar (bass)
• Steve Goulding (drums)

The band's first album, Howlin' Wind, was released in 1976. It was quickly followed by another album called Heat Treatment. These albums included a mix of rock songs, ballads, and songs influenced by reggae music. They became known for songs like "Black Honey," "Soul Shoes," and "Don't Ask Me Questions."

Parker became known around the same time as other famous English singer-songwriters like Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson.

Success and a New Direction

Parker at Brit's Pub in Minneapolis, 2003

In 1977, Graham Parker and the Rumour appeared on the popular British TV show Top of the Pops. They performed their song "Hold Back the Night," which became a hit in the UK.

After this success, Parker wanted to change his songwriting style to appeal to American audiences. His next album, Stick To Me (1977), was a step in this new direction and was a top 20 hit in the UK. The band also became popular in Australia, where they toured in 1978 and 1979.

Squeezing Out Sparks

Parker was not happy with his record company, Mercury Records. He felt they were not promoting his music well. He even wrote a song called "Mercury Poisoning" about his frustration.

After leaving Mercury, he signed with a new label, Arista Records. This change gave him new energy. He worked with producer Jack Nitzsche to create the album Squeezing Out Sparks (1979). Many critics and fans think this is his best album. It was even named one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

The album features some of Parker's most famous songs, including "Passion Is No Ordinary Word", "You Can't Be Too Strong", and "Discovering Japan". For this album, the band did not use the horn section that had been on their earlier records.

The End of The Rumour

In 1980, keyboard player Bob Andrews left The Rumour. The band's next album, The Up Escalator, was produced by Jimmy Iovine. It became Parker's highest-charting album in the UK. The musician Bruce Springsteen sang guest vocals on the song "Endless Night".

The Up Escalator was the last album Parker made with The Rumour for many years. After this, he began releasing music as a solo artist, though some members of The Rumour would still play on his albums from time to time.

Solo Career and Reunions

Parker at SXSW, 2007

The 1980s were a successful time for Parker. His 1985 album Steady Nerves included the song "Wake Up (Next to You)", which was his only top 40 hit in the United States. During this period, he started living mainly in the U.S.

He continued to release albums throughout the 1990s, such as The Mona Lisa's Sister and Struck By Lightning. He often toured with the American band The Figgs as his backup group.

Parker has also written several books, including a set of short stories called Carp Fishing on ... and a novel.

In 2011, Parker reunited with all the original members of The Rumour. They recorded a new album called Three Chords Good, which was released in 2012. The band also appeared as themselves in the Judd Apatow movie This Is 40. They released one more album, Mystery Glue, in 2015 before the reunion ended.

More recently, Parker formed a new backing band called The Goldtops. They released the album Cloud Symbols in 2018 and Last Chance to Learn the Twist in 2023.

Discography

Studio Albums

See also

In Spanish: Graham Parker para niños