Tom Bailey Thompson Twins Live In Blackpool

Tom Bailey one 3rd of the sensationally successful 1980’s pop group The Thompson Twins appeared on the same bill as OMD and A-ha absolutely Live In Blackpool..

I have always loved the music from the 80’s and The Thompson Twins were a huge favourite of mine..

Thompson Twins were a British pop band that formed in April 1977. Initially a new wave group, they switched to a more mainstream pop sound and achieved considerable popularity from 1983, scoring a string of hits in the United Kingdom, the United States, and around the globe. In 1993, they changed their name to Babble, to reflect their change in music from new wave to dub-influenced chill-out.

The band was named after the two bumbling detectives Thomson and Thompson in Hergé’s comic strip The Adventures of Tintin. At various stages, the band had up to seven members, but their most known incarnation was as a trio between 1982 and 1986. They became a prominent act in the Second British Invasion, and in 1985, the band performed at Live Aid, where they were joined onstage by Madonna.

The band broke into the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart at the beginning of 1983 with “Lies” and “Love On Your Side”, which became the band’s first UK Top 10 single. They then released their third album, Quick Step and Side Kick (called simply Side Kicks in the US), which peaked at number 2 in the UK and was later certified platinum. Further singles followed with “We Are Detective” (another Top 10 UK hit)  and “Watching” (UK No. 33). All three band members worked collectively on songwriting with Currie providing lyrics and Bailey melodies. In addition Leeway was responsible for stagecraft, Currie for videos and imagery and Bailey for musicianship and production. During 1983, the band had the opening spot on The Police concert tour in the US.

“Hold Me Now”, was released in late 1983. The song was an international chart success, peaking at No. 4 in their native UK  where it became the band’s biggest seller earning a gold disc, and reached No. 3 in the US in the spring of 1984 becoming their biggest American hit. The band’s new album, Into the Gap, was released in early 1984 and became one of the year’s biggest sellers, selling five million copies worldwide. It topped the UK Albums Chart and was later certified double platinum there. Further hit singles from the album followed with “Doctor! Doctor!” (UK No. 3) and “You Take Me Up” (UK No. 2, their highest UK singles chart placing and which earned a silver disc. Other singles included a new version of the album track “Sister of Mercy” (UK No. 11), and “The Gap” (though this was not released in the UK). The band embarked on a world tour in support of the album, which had also made the US top ten.

My favourite hit….

His amazingly Live Blackpool performance and being honest the years have been very kind to Tom as he has still got it..!

My concert footage..

Thank you for reading..

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