Siouxsie and the Banshees facts for kids

Siouxsie and the Banshees was a rock band from England. They started in 1976 in Bromley, London. The main members were Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin. They met at a Roxy Music concert the year before. The band broke up in 1996 but played together again for a tour in 2002.

They released 11 studio albums between 1978 and 1995. Their most famous song in the UK was "Dear Prudence." This song was a Beatles cover and reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. They were not as popular in the United States. However, their 1991 song "Kiss Them For Me" reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. They were also one of the main bands at the first Lollapalooza festival.

How the Band Started

The group played their first concert at the 100 Club Punk Festival. Sid Vicious played drums, and Marco Pirroni played guitar. They did not practice before the show. Instead, they played a twenty-minute made-up version of the Lord's Prayer. The band did not even have a name yet and planned to break up after this one concert. But people liked them and asked them to play again!

Two months later, Kenny Morris joined as the drummer. Peter Fenton became the guitarist. After a few shows, the band felt that Fenton was not a good fit. John McKay then took his place as guitarist.

First Album and Early Success

In 1978, the band signed with Polydor Records. They released their first song, "Hong Kong Garden." It quickly reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. They released their first album, The Scream, in November of that year. It reached number 12 on the UK Albums Chart. Most people gave it good reviews. The music magazine Sounds called it "the best debut album of the year."

Changes in the Band

Robert Smith played guitar for the band's 1979 tour for their album Join Hands. He joined the group again in 1982. This was to replace John McGeoch. Robert Smith left in 1984 because he said being in two bands at once was too stressful. John "Valentine" Carruthers replaced him. Before Smith left, he wanted his time with the band to be remembered. So, the band released a cover of the Beatles' "Dear Prudence" with Smith playing guitar.

Peter Edward Clark, known as Budgie, also joined the band for the Join Hands tour. He stayed with the band until they broke up. In 1987, Carruthers left. Jon Klein took his place. Martin McCarrick became the band's full-time keyboard player.

Later Albums

In 1987, the band released Through the Looking Glass. This album was special because it was full of covers of songs by other musicians.

Between January and June 1988, the band recorded their ninth album, Peepshow. It came out on September 5, 1988. This album had a more pop sound than their earlier music. It received very good reviews. Q magazine gave it 5 stars.

In 1991, Superstition, the Banshees' tenth album, was released. The song "Kiss Them for Me" became their biggest hit in the United States.

In 1995, they released their last album, The Rapture. A few weeks later, Polydor Records decided not to work with them anymore. Guitarist Klein was replaced with Knox Chandler for the band's final tour.

Discography

• The Scream (1978)
• Join Hands (1979)
• Kaleidoscope (1980)
• Juju (1981)
• A Kiss in the Dreamhouse (1982)
• Hyæna (1984)
• Tinderbox (1986)
• Through the Looking Glass (1987)
• Peepshow (1988)
• Superstition (1991)
• The Rapture (1995)

Images for kids

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  Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1981, left to right: Budgie, Siouxsie, Steven Severin and John McGeoch

See also

In Spanish: Siouxsie And The Banshees para niños