Chris Bradford (musician) explained

Chris Bradford
Birth Name:Christopher Michael Bradford
Birth Date:4 May 1950
Birth Place:Liverpool, England
Instrument:Guitar, vocals
Genre:Hard rock, folk rock
Occupation:Musician, songwriter
Years Active:1965–present
Associated Acts:The Heroes, Bardot

Christopher Michael Bradford (born 4 May 1950) is a British musician and songwriter. He is best known for being the lead vocalist and songwriter in the British rock band The Heroes, and member of the singer songwriting trio, Bardot.

Early years

Bradford and Mark Hankins formed the band Palomino in the early 1970s, playing the pub rock scene and university gigs supporting such acts as Osibisa and Vinegar Joe (with Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer). The band also supported Neil Sedaka at the Albert Hall in 1972.[1] [2] A first airing of Bradford's early songs. Hankins' next band, country rock outfit Randy, recorded Bradford's song "Crazy Love" on their debut album Lady Luck.

Bardot 1977–1978

Bradford hooked up with Laurie Andrew (aka Laurie Forsey) and Ray McRiner to form Bardot in 1977. Each member a strong singer/songwriter, their sound, heavy on melody and complex harmonies was sometimes compared to Crosby, Stills & Nash.[3]

The band were signed to RCA Records in 1977, and released three singles between 1977 and 1978, the debut "Witchfire" hitting number 14 in the Dutch charts.[4] [5] During 1977 Bardot supported Bonnie Tyler and her band in concert, and on 2 August performed "Eagle Road" and "Rockin in Rhythm" on The Elaine Simmons TV Show in Scotland. RCA released their album Rockin in Rhythm in 1978 – a collection of polished folk rock songs. 1978 also saw Bardot working at Ringo Starr's Startling Studios providing all the backing vocals for Graham Bonnet's album No Bad Habits. The album was produced by Pip Williams who collaborated extensively with Bardot and with Bradford on his later projects.

The Heroes 1979–1981

Formed in 1979, with Bradford and Mark Hankins on guitar and vocals, The Heroes line-up was completed by Pete Lennon (lead guitar), Dave Powell (drums) and ex-Randy band-member Brian (Wally) Wallis on bass guitar. Their musical style combined pop / rock ballads and boogie.

Although primarily a recording group, they undertook a tour of Germany playing the Olympianhalle in Munich, the Top Ten Club in Hamburg and a show in Berlin. In this show, the truck carrying the group's instruments did not stop and continued into Poland, forcing the group to use the equipment belonging to the band they were touring with, Dr. Feelgood.

The Heroes signed with Polydor Records in 1979, and recorded an album of ten songs, Border Raiders also produced by Pip Williams in 1980, plus a single "Some Kind of Women" b/w "10% Will Do".

Sweet connection

Bradford has worked for many years with Andy Scott, guitarist and writer of Sweet who went on to have a successful solo career after glam rock. Some of Scott's solo successes came from his collaborations with Bradford: they co-wrote "Krugerrands" - a top ten hit in Australia and South Africa, "Invisible", "Let Her Dance" and many others.[6] [7] Bradford also worked with Sweet's lead singer Brian Connolly on his solo work.

During 1983, Bradford, Scott and producer Mike Vernon wrote a collection of songs together, intended for release by other artists.[8] Some of the music written that summer was used in the Italian film Il Lupo di Mare.[9]

Covers

Bradford has written songs for many diverse artists such as Kit Hain, Kiki Dee, Dr. Feelgood, Lene Lovich and Greg Lake.[10]

Studio work

Bradford has provided backing vocals for many artists including Brian Connolly, Greg Lake, Dr. Feelgood, Graham Bonnet, Terry Sylvester of The Hollies, blues guitarist Ray Minhinnet, The Monroes, Breathe and Andy Scott.

Discography

Solo

Albums

With Bardot and The Heroes

Albums

Singles

With other artists

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Palomino – Mark Hankins bio. Lyn Paul website. 28 April 2014.
  2. Web site: Mark Hankins, Palomino, Randy. New Seekers website. 28 April 2014.
  3. Web site: Bardot @ Rock Archeologia. Rock Archeologia 60 — 70. 30 May 2022.
  4. Web site: Witchfire Top 40 Hit. Top40.nl. 20 August 2014.
  5. Web site: Witchfire Chart Position 14. Top40.nl. 20 August 2014.
  6. Web site: Krugerrands. Andy Scott Webspace. 27 April 2014.
  7. Web site: Andy Scott Solo CD. The Sweet Web. 27 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140427233124/http://www.thesweetweb.com/news/item/scottsolo. 27 April 2014. dead.
  8. Web site: Sweet Songs for Publishing. TheSweet.Com. 2 May 2014.
  9. Web site: Il lupo di mare. 25 June 2019. IMDb.com.
  10. Web site: Kiki Dee review. https://archive.today/20140502014718/http://entertainment.kmart.com/kiki-dee-perfect-timing-perfect-timing-plus/740155101930%23!?tabnum=2. dead. 2 May 2014. Joe Viglione, Rovi. 2 May 2014.
  11. Web site: Christopher Days @ Amazon. Amazon listing. 27 December 2019.
  12. Web site: Beachcomber @ Amazon. Amazon listing. 25 May 2022.
  13. Web site: Winterface @ Amazon. Amazon listing. 25 May 2022.
  14. Web site: Rockin in Rhythm @ Allmusic. Allmusic database. 28 April 2014.
  15. Web site: Border Raiders @ Allmusic. Allmusic database. 28 April 2014.
  16. Web site: Witchfire @ Discogs. Discogs database. 28 October 1977 . 28 April 2014.
  17. Web site: Bardot @ 45cat. 45cat database. 28 April 2014.
  18. Web site: Some Kind of Women @ Discogs. Discogs database. 28 October 1980 . 28 April 2014.
  19. Web site: No Bad Habits @ Discogs. Discogs database. 28 October 1978 . 28 April 2014.
  20. Web site: Perfect Timing by Kiki Dee @ Allmusic. Allmusic database. 28 April 2014.
  21. Web site: School for Spies by Kit Hain @ Discogs. Discogs database. 28 October 1983 . 28 April 2014.
  22. Web site: School for Spies by Kit Hain @ 45Worlds. 45worlds database. 28 April 2014.
  23. Web site: Famous Last Words @ Andy Scott website. Andy Scott website. 28 April 2014.
  24. Web site: Chris Bradford Discography @ Discogs. Discogs database. 27 April 2014.
  25. Web site: Monroes - Face Another Day credits. Discogs Database. 16 May 2014.
  26. Web site: Chris Bradford credits @ Allmusic. Allmusic database. 28 April 2014.
  27. Web site: Discogs Database. Press The Flesh discography. 28 October 1987 . 15 May 2014.
  28. Web site: Chris Bradford credits @ Artistdirect. Artist Direct database. 28 April 2014.
  29. Web site: Me And My Mouth @ Discogs. Discogs database. 28 October 1990 . 15 May 2014.
  30. Web site: Bradford credits in Dr Feelgood lyric page. Dr Feelgood Website. 28 April 2014.

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