
The original line-up:
Cheryl Baker (born Rita Crudgington on March 8th, 1954)
Jay Aston (born on May 4th, 1961, memeber 1981-1985 and from 2009-),
Bobby G. (born Robert Gubby on August 23, 1953)
Mike Nolan (born on December 7th, 1954)
Shelley Preston (member from 1985 - 2009) (born June 14th, 1964)
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Before Bucks Fizz
Cheryl Baker in CoCo - Bad Old Days
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The future Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker started as a singer many years before Bucks Fizz ESC debut in 1981. She was both talented and experienced studio singer and she worked a lot with other artists. The first little breakthrough came in 1978 when Cheryl participated for the first time in the Eurovision Song Contest with the group Co-Co. They performed the song "The Bad Old Days" which ended as number 11 but surprisingly the Co-Co were noticed by Eurovision fans in Great Britain and West Germany. The single "Bad Old Days" entered the British chart on April 22, 1978 where it stayed for 7 weeks reaching #13. "Bad Old Days" was released in many countries all over the world and it was followed by an album with the same title.
Bad Old Days - the album
The album entitled "Bad Old Days" was released worldwide during the year 1978. It contained 12 songs sung by all the members of the group. Cheryl sung lead vocals as well as she played percussion on the track "Money Song".
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THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 1981
MAKING YOUR MIND UP - THE FIRST SINGLE
Eurovision Song Contest 81
Bucks Fizz was created especially for the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin in 1981 by husband/wife music producers and composers Nicola Martin & Andy Hill. The group won the Eurovision Song Contest on April 4, 1981. After the victory in Dublin the group continued working together and it became the most successful pop acts in Europe in the 1980s.
Dublin April 4, 1981
The group performed "Making Your Mind Up" and from the very beginning of the show they were tipped as the Top 5 artists in the Eurovision Song Contest 81.
Making Your Mind Up - the ESC performance
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The victory
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Photo sessions in the Eurovision outfits (various spots).
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The "champagne" session
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Making Your Mind Up - the single
The first single contained the Eurovision winner "Making Your Mind Up" and a non-album track "Don't Stop" on the side B. The single entered the British chart on 28 March 1981 where it stayed for 12 weeks reaching #1 on 18 April (for 3 weeks).
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In Switzerland the single entered the chart on 19 April 1981 and stayed on the chart for 10 weeks peaking at #3 on 3 May (for 3 weeks). In Austria "Making Your Mind Up" was even more successful with 14 weeks on the single chart and #1 as the highest position. In West Germany the single entered the chart on 5 April 1981 and stayed there for 10 weeks peaking at #5.
The first release of the single featured a note on the cover that the song was the UK contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest 1981. On the second release of the single the note informed that the song was the winner of the ESC 1981.
West
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The first release | |
The
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In Sweden "Making Your Mind Up" reached #2 (6 weeks on the chart) and in Norway #2 (8 weeks on the chart). In the Netherlands the single reached #1 and stayed on the chart for 11 weeks. In Belgium the single was on the chart for 11 weeks.
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In New Zealand the single stayed on the chart for 18 weeks peaking at #3. "Making Your Mind Up" was even released in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
Italy |
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Portugal |
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Spain |
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Early photo sessions
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Top of the Pops
The group was invited to the most prestigious British TV pop show - "Top of the Pops" where they performed "Making Your Mind Up" with high energy and lots of dance.
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Making Your Mind Up - more photo sessions
The yellow-Jay session
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Alternative photo session
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Promotion
The group worked hard with the promotion of "Making Your Mind Up" in whole Europe. They appeared in several TV shows in Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, West Germany and other countries.
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In Belgium they appeared in the show "Chansons à la carte" where they performed "Making Your Mind Up" and were awarded with gold records for the single sales.
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Promotion Holland
Bucks Fizz paid a short promotional visit in Holland at the end of April.
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Piece of the Action - the second single
"Piece of the Action" b/w "Took it to the Limit" was chosen for the group's second single released at the end of May 1981. It entered the British hit chart on June 6th, 1981. "Piece of the Action" became quite big hit in Great Britain with 9 weeks' chart life and #12 as the peak position. The single was promoted by a brand new video and several TV appearances.
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Chart hits 81
"Piece of the Action" was released on a compilation album "Chart Hits 81 Vol. 1" at the end of the year together with among others: ABBA, Kim Wilde, Human League.
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The photo session
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The Piece of the Action promotion
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Photo session
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Golden record
In May 1981 the single "Making Your Mind Up" sold 500.000 in Great Britain and the group received their first Golden Record which they proudly presented in London.
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The happy colours session
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W.Germany |
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The debut album was released at the beginning of August 1981 and it featured 10 songs. Bobby sang most of the lead vocals on the album. Jay sang the beautiful ballad "Getting Kinda Lonely" and Mike & Cheryl performed "It's Got To Be Love" together. The album brought three single hits: "Making Your Mind Up", "Piece of the Action" and "One of Those Nights". It the British LP chart on August 8th, 1981 and it stayed there for 28 weeks peaking at number 14.
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The lyrics
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Side 2 |
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The photo sessions
Mike in private
Mike Nolan was from the very beginning the most favorite member of Bucks Fizz. Lots of private pictures of Mike were published in music magazines around Europe in the summer 1981.
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In Norway
Bucks Fizz gained a lot of popularity in Norway. Just before their visit in the Norwegian show "Momarkedet" in late summer 1981 the newspaper "Norsk Ukeblad" sent the group's fan Anne Lise to London for an interview and a photo session. In the interview Mike said that all group members were huge fans of ABBA and they hoped to meet their idols on Momarkedet. Cheryl's favorite song was "Chiquitita".
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Momarkedet - Norway
Bucks Fizz paid a visit in Norway at the end of August 1981 where they participated in the TV show "Momarkedet". Mike Nolan gave interview for Norwegian weekly "Norsk ukeblad" where he said that he hoped to meet ABBA there. (Thanks to Norway)
The Spanish single
The international promotion of the group started in Spain where Bucks Fizz released their first single in Spanish language. The single featured two songs from the first album: It's Got to Be Love (Yo se que es amor) b/w Shine On (Brillar). Both compositions would be releasede on the Spanish language LP in 1982. The cover featured a photo taken during recording of the video to "Piece of the Action".
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Australia
Bucks Fizz got their success in Europe. Many European groups suffered poor sales in Australia, due to insignificant air-play. When taking into consideration their huge success in Europe, Bucks Fizz played a Big presence on the Australian top 20 Charts. They had moderate success on the Australian Music Report top 100, with their biggest hit "Making your mind up". (#6 in June 1981).
Their debut album "Bucks Fizz" was promoted in Australia by a free single containing a mix of 4 songs from the album.
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The group paid a visit in Australia at the end of 1981 promoting the album on TV (very hard to find stuff on video).
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Piece of the Action in Australia
A four-week radio promotion of the single "Piece of the Action" involving several companies was started by the time when the group was in Australia. The prizes worth thousands of dollars were to be won as well as Bucks Fizz' first LP. A promo single was sent out to all radio stations in the country.
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One of Those Nights - the third single
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The third single release featured "One of Those Nights" b/w "Always Thinking of You" - the latter a non-album track with Cheryl's lead vocal. The single entered the British chart on August 15th, 1981 and stayed there for 10 weeks reaching #20.
The group appeared on Top of the Pops, Jim'll Fix It and Summer Special where they sang "One of Those Nights".
Japan
In November 1981 Bucks Fizz participated in the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo where they won The Best Song Award for "Another Night".
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In private
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Another Night - the single
The single "Another Night"/"Took it to the Limit" was released in Japan at the same time. The single promoted the upcoming release of the group's first album in Japan.
Bucks Fizz - the album in Japan
The Japanese release of the first Bucks Fizz album was slightly different to the European as it did not have a gatefold sleeve. It contained a sheet will lyrics to all the songs.
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The Land of Make Believe - the single
The single "The Land Of Make Believe" was released on November 28th, 1981. This catchy and a bit unusual pop piece would become the most important and the biggest Bucks Fizz hit. It topped the British chart on January 16th, 1982 where it stayed for 2 weeks. Totally "The Land of Make Believe" spent 16 weeks on the British single chart. As the single was thought as a Christmas hit the B-side featured a song in a Christmas mood performed by Cheryl "Now You're Gone".
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Even a special Christmas edition of the single was released in a new package featuring all four members in winter clothes and wishing a happy Christmas.
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The Christmas edition | |
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West German edition |
The Land of Make Believe - 12"
The German maxi single contained the LP edit of the song and two tracks on the side 2: "Midnight Reservation" and "Now You're Gone", the latter available only on the single.
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The photo session
The photo for the single cover was taken during recording of the video. Some alternative shots has been released during the years.
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The Video
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More outfits and photo sessions
Several different outfits were prepared for the promotion of "The Land of Make Believe" on TV and in the press.
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Golden records
The debut album became a big success and was even released world-wide. The group received golden records from RCA for the sales in the UK.
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On TV
The enormous success of "The Land Of Make Believe" made that the group appeared in all entertainment TV shows in the UK and other countries in Europe. Bucks Fizz performed their hit in different outfits featuring among others Jay in wedding dress.
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The kimono sessions
The group performed in "Mike Yarwood Show" and "Top of the Pops" in the Asia inspired clothes with Japanese signs and Chinese dragoons.
ARE YOU READY - THE SECOND ALBUM
NOW THOSE DAYS ARE GONE - THE SUMMER HIT
The overall session
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Shakin' your pies up...
A "new version" of their Eurovision hit was re-recorded with partly different lyrics. It was entitled "Shakin' your pies up" and in one of the TV shows the group performed the song throwing pies on each other.
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In the studio
At the end of February and beginning of March the group was in the studio working on two projects at the same time. While the last touches were put on the tracks for the new album which eventually would be entitled "Are You Ready", the group even re-recorded several songs in Spanish precisely like ABBA did two years before and with the same Spanish teacher. Bobby wasn't too keen on the Spanish recording: "I dislike doing it. It's not too hard if you've already done the song in English first so you have some idea of what it's like."
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Swap Shop - TV special
The group appeared on the Swap Shop where they answered fans' questions by phone.
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The red and white photo session
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This photo session was taken in early summer 1982. In the same outfits the group promoted their latest single "My Camera Never Lies" in several TV shows in Great Britain.
Cheryl and Mike in "Granada Reports"
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The second single "My Camera Never Lies" b/w "What Am I Gonna Do" promoting the forthcoming album was released in March. It entered the British hit chart on 27 March 1982 where it stayed for 8 weeks reaching #1 (on 17 April). The single was available in two different cover versions - a picture cover and a poster cover.
My Camera Never Lies - 12"
A remixed version of "My Camera Never Lies" was released on maxi single in West Germany. The remixed version of the song was 4´54" long. The B-side featured "What Am I Gonna Do".
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The "camera" photo sessions
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Lyrics and more pictures
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Mi camara nunca miente
The Spanish single contained "My Camera Never Lies" translated to Spanish as "Mi camara nunca miente" but performed in English. Even the B-side contained "What Am I Gonna Do" just like the UK edition. The single cover was though completely different and featured the cover photo from the album "Are You Ready".
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Photo sessions - spring 1982
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Jay, 21
On May 4th, 1982 Bobby, Mike and Cheryl celebrated Jay's 21st birthday
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West Germany |
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The second album was entitled "Are You Ready". The album's front cover featured the group members ready for jumping from a plane and the back cover showed the foursome after landing. It was not so difficult to understand the metaphor as the group could now celebrate their real success in the music business after the release of the smash hit "The Land of Make Believe". It is difficult to know if Bucks Fizz management's idea for the cover had anything to do with the famous cover of ABBA's album "Arrival" which was a kind of message: We are here to stay. The album was recorded in the Mayfair Studios in Camden outside London.
"Are You Ready" entered the British LP chart on May 18th, 1982 where it stayed for 23 weeks reaching #10. "Are You Ready" contained 10 songs written by Andy Hill, Nicola Martin, Pete Wilsher, Daizy Parks and Bucks Fizz themselves. Among those songs there were several single hits - two British number ones: "The Land of Make Believe" and "My Camera Never Lies" as well as one Top 10 hit "Now Those Days Are Gone" (which reached #8 in July 82), the only big hit performed by Mike Nolan. This album was much stronger than their debut LP with lots of good melodies and good vocal performances.
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The photo sessions for the inner sleeve of the album were taken in the studio in up and down positions. Says Cheryl Baker: " Our second album "Are You Ready" came out in April 1982. We put on all the parachute gear and went up in a plane in preparation for the photo, but nobody would allow us to jump".
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Lyrics
Are You Ready in Japan
Bucks Fizz became a shooting star in Japan after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981. "Making My Mind Up" became #1 on the Japanese single chart in April 1981 and "The Land of Make Believe" in January 1982. Their third top hit in Japan was "My Camera Never Lies" on April 17th, 1982. Their second studio album "Are You Ready" was released in Japan at the same time.
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Are Your Ready in South America & Australia
The group enjoyed a great success even in South America. The album "Are You Ready" was released in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and many other South American countries as well as in Australia. Bucks Fizz promoted their new album in Chile at the beginning of 1983.
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MC from Australia |
Now Those Days Are Gone - the single
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The photo session |
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"Now Those Days Are Gone" was chosen for the third single release from "Are You Ready". It entered the British hit chart on June 19th, 1982 and became the summer hit in Great Britain reaching #8 and staying on the chart for 9 weeks. The B-side was a non-album track "Takin' Me Higher" written and produced by the group members. The single was even released in the picture disc version.
Now Those Days Are Gone - the video
The video brought the viewers to the last days of the Second World War in Great Britain.
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The photo session
Jill Furmanovsky took an extended photo session with the group in the late spring 1982. The pictures were published together with an article about the group and the presentation of the members in the summer 1982.
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Easy Love - the single in Denmark
"Easy Love" was chosen in Denmark for the third single release from the album "Are You Ready". The single featured remixed version of the song and "Takin' Me Higher" on the side B. One of the rarest Bucks Fizz single releases with an alternate version of "Easy Love" which is still unavailable on CD.
The photo session
A shot from this 1982 photo session was used for the cover of the Danish single as well as the cover of the 1983 single "If You Can't Stand The Heat".
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The 1982 Summer Tour
The summer tour started on 17 July in Bristol and ended on 30 August in Cornwall.
The session - summer 82
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Are You Ready - the single
The single featuring "Are You Ready" b/w "Now those Days Are Gone" was released in West Germany in the summer 1982.
The Land of Make Believe - SP in USA
After the amazing success with the single "The Land Of Make Believe" in Europe the group made promotion and their first single release in USA. The selection made for the single featured probably the best songs from the album "Are You Ready": "The Land of Make Believe" and the beautiful ballad performed by Mike Nolan "Now Those Days Are Gone" on the side B.
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Bucks Fizz - the first LP in USA
The first Bucks Fizz album was released in USA at the end of 1982. The album called simply "Bucks Fizz" contained 10 songs selected from the group's two first British albums featuring all up-to-date single hits .
The US album promotion
Some promotion stuff released by RCA in USA.
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The country photo sessions
The country session 2
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The group re-recorded 10 songs in Spanish versions with lyrics written by well-known Buddy and Mary McCluskey who had contributed with lyrics for ABBA's Spanish album "Gracias por la musica" two years earlier. Following tracks had been re-recorded in Spanish "Another Night", "One Way Love", "The Land of Make Believe", "Breaking and Entering", "Now Those Days Are Gone" (from the album "Are You Ready"), "Getting Kinda Lonely", "Shine On", "It's Got To Be Love", "One of Those Nights" (from the debut album "Bucks Fizz") and "Now You're Gone" (from the B-side of the single "The Land of Make Believe"). At the beginning of 1983 the group travelled to South America where they promoted the album in Chile and some other countries.
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The "drink" session - November 1982
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Royal Variety Show
On November 14, 1982 Bucks Fizz participated in the annual "Royal Variety Show" in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London which was attended by the Queen and the Queen Mother. The group performed two songs: "The Land of Make Believe" and the new single "If You Can't Stand The Heat".
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If You Can't Stand The Heat - the single
The first single from the forthcoming third album, "If You Can't Stand the Heat", was released in November 1982. The single entered the British hit chart on 27 November 1982 and it became a big Christmas hit just like "The Land of Make Believe" the year before. The single reached the Top 10 and it stayed on the chart for 11 weeks. The B-side of the single featured a non-album track written by the group members and entitled "Stepping Out". The 7" was released as an usual single, picture disc and a limited version with poster. Even the 12" issue of the single was released and it contained an extended version of "If You Can't Stand The Heat".
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7" |
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UK
Poster edition |
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UK
Picture disc |
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In Holland the single stayed on the chart for 3 weeks reaching #41. "If You Can't Stand The Heat" was even released in West Germany, Austria and Spain.
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TV
Bucks Fizz appeared on British TV where they talked about their huge success after the winning of Eurovision Song Contest, their new look and plans for 1983.
The Happy New Year photo session
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RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - THE SINGLE
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG & LONDON TOWN
GREATEST HITS & RULES OF THE GAME
Bucks Fizz 2023
In January the magazine "Smash Hits" featured styled Cheryl and Mike on the cover of their joke issue from the year 2023. With a special make-up the stars from Bucks Fizz would image themselves 40 years later.
In Chile
(very special thanks to Christian)
In February 1983 Bucks Fizz arrived in Chile for the promotion of their Spanish album. They performed on the music festival “Festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar” (International Festival of the Song of Viña del Mar) which was broadcasted in both Chile and many countries in South America as well as in Spain. The group stayed in Chile for one week, they arrived on February 8, performed on Sunday 13 and Monday 14 and left the country on Tuesday Feb 15, 1983.
Arrival
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Relaxing
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The show
The group performed twice: the first night had a running time of aprox 45 min. and the second night was about 35 min. The first show was attended by about 7.000 people (out of 15.000) and the second show was sold out. The group performed following songs:
The first night:
1.- Are You Ready
2.- Another Night
3.- Easy Love
4.- Noches Sin Ti
5.- My Camera Never Lies
6.- Now Those Days Are Gone
7.- El Mundo de Ilusión
8.- Medley - Pinball Wizard/Hot Stuff/Do You Think I'm Sexy/Knock On Wood/Rockin' All Over The World
9.- Making Your Mind Up
The second night:
1.- Are You Ready
2.- Another Night
3.- Easy Love
4.- Noches Sin Ti
5.- My Camera Never Lies
6.- El Mundo de Ilusión
7.- Medley - Pinball Wizard/Hot Stuff/Do You Think I'm Sexy/Knock On Wood/Rockin' All Over The World.
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Run for Your Life - the single
The year 1983 started great for the group with a Top 10 single and many smash hits behind them. The second single promoting the forthcoming new album was "Run for Your Life" which was released in two versions - a 7" and a special 10" tour edition. The B-side of the single featured the album track "Shot me through the heart".
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The third studio album was entitled "Hand Cut" and it contained 10 new songs including two single hits "Run For Your Life" and "If You Can't Stand The Heat". It entered the British album chart on 19 March 1983 and stayed there for 13 weeks peaking at #17. Jay sang lead vocals on two songs - the beautiful ballad "Where the Ending Starts" and "Running out of Time", Cheryl sang "You love love" and Mike had lead vocal in a song written by Bobby - "Surrender your heart". The album contained two great tracks "I'd like to say I love you" and "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4". The latter would be covered one year later by the Swedish Eurovision winner Herrey's.
The Hand Cut photo sessions
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Promotion on TV
A TV show recorded as a part of the promotion for the new album featured songs from "Hand Cut" and the group's earlier hits: If You Can't Stand The Heat, I'd Like To Say I Love You, Love Dies Hard, Easy Love, My Camera Never Lies, You Love Love and Run For Your Life.
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The tour
Bucks Fizz embarked on their third tour in March and April 1983.
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Jay's beach photo session - April 1983
At the end of May "Record Mirror" published beautiful "beach fashion bonanza" photo session featuring Jay.
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Spain
The growing popularity in Spanish language territories made that RCA released a special single with slightly different choice for the promotion of "Hand Cut" in Spain. The single contained "Run for Your Life" and "If You Can't Stand The Heat" and it had the same cover as the LP "Hand Cut".
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Tune it on Saturday
On Saturday 28 May Jay and Mike participated among other well-known artists in a 12-hour marathon of pop knowledge "The Great Rock'N'Roll Trivia Show" which was broadcasted live on Radio One from 12 noon to 12 midnight.
The jeans session
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Cheryl & Jay with Eurythmics
Cheryl and Jay were invited to the filming of the video for the Eurythmics song "Who's That Girl" at the beginning of June 1983.
When We Were Young - the single
A new single entitled "When We Were Young" featuring Jay in lead vocals and with "When The Ending Starts" on the flipside was released at the beginning of June 1983 as the first single from the forthcoming "Greatest Hits" album.
It entered the British chart on June 18th, where it stayed for 8 weeks reaching Top 10. "When We Were Young" had a catchy sound with some ABBA influence. The song became a big hit in whole Europe. The track on the B-side of the 7" "Where The Ending Starts" (even this track with Jay's lead vocal) was taken from the album "Hand Cut".
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The single enjoyed a big success in whole Europe. It entered single charts in West Germany, Austria (peaking at #20) and Holland (6 weeks on the chart peaking at #17).
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The 12" version of "When We Were Young" featured an extended version of the song and a non-album track "When the Love Has Gone" on the B-side.
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Picture disc
Even a limited edition picture disc single was released.
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Ads - promotion
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The "When We Were Young" photo sessions
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The single was promoted by a new video recorded in West Germany
The painting photo session
One of the classical photo sessions taken in 1983 - here in 5 alternative shots.
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London Town - the single
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Another new song recorded for release on the Greatest Hits album was "London Town". The single "London Town" b/w "Identity" was released in September 83. The single entered the British hit chart on October 1, 1983 and stayed there for 6 weeks reaching surprisingly only #34. Even a limited edition picture disc "London Town" was released.
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The 12" version of "London Town" contained a remixed club version of the song and an extra song on the B-side. The extra track was "Love Dies Hard" - a beautiful ballad originally released on the LP "Are You Ready" in 1982.
The London Town photo sessions
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More photos
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The hat session
The "cellar" session
A glamour photo session in a cellar - end of September 1983.
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The Royal Performance
In October the group performed in the presence of The Queen Elisabeth and the Queen Mother at the Royal Variety Performance in London. They sang "The Land of Make Believe" and "If You Can't Stand the Heat"
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The "wallpaper" session
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On TV
The group performed their latest hit "London Town in several TV shows.
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The Greatest Hits photo sessions
In the early autumn several photo sessions were taken for the upcoming release of the album "Greatest Hits" and new singles.
Session 1
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Session 2
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Session 3 - Jay
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Session 4
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The first official compilation album was released on November 25th, 1983 and it featured group's 8 chart hits between 1981 and 1983 as well as 4 new songs. The album entered the British chart on 3 December 1983 and stayed there for 13 weeks. The new songs on the album were two already known single hits "When We Were Young" and "London Town" and the forthcoming single "Rules of the Game". The fourth song "Oh Suzanne" would be released as a B-side of the 1985 single "You and Your Heart So Blue".
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Greatest Hits on CD
The album "Greatest Hits" was even released on CD in 1984 in the UK, West Germany and Japan.
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Rules of the Game - the single
"Rules of the Game" was the third single promoting the compilation "Greatest Hits". The lead vocal was sung by Cheryl. The B-side of the single contained a great ballad written by the band members and entitled "When We Were At War". It is a great pity that this track was not added on any BF album. "Rules of the Game" entered the British hit chart on 17 December 1983 and stayed there for 6 weeks reaching #57.
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Bucks Fizz on TV
The group appeared in several TV shows performing "Rules of the Game".
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Making Your Mind Up - the LP
Record company "Camden" (a part of Pickwick International Inc.) released a compilation entitled "Making Your Mind Up" at the end of 1983. The album contained 10 songs - quite a strange mixture of single hits and relatively unknown songs from the first three Bucks Fizz albums.
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Rules of the Game - the Christmas edition
A special Christmas version of the single "Rules of the Game" with a fold-out cover was available at the end of November.
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Saturday Superstore, December 1983
The group appeared in the TV show "Saturday superstore" on BBC shortly before Christmas 83. They were interviewed, the new video "Rules of the Game" was shown and Cheryl and Bobby participated in the "pop panel". The group members were talking about their plans for the Christmas holiday and answered questions from the fans by phone.
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Christmas tour
More promotion
The new single was promoted in several shows at the end of 1983 and at the beginning of 1984.