Song:Love Plus One
Album:Pelican West
The short lived group Haircut 100 had some success at the height of the New Wave movement in the early 80s. Love Plus One was their only top 40 hit in the US but they were popular in England. They fizzled when lead singer Nick Heyward left for a solo career in 1983. He was born May 20, 1961 in Beckenham, Kent, England. He formed Haircut 100 in 1980 with bassist Les Nemes. After a couple of personnel changes, they settled on guitarist Graham Jones from The Low Numbers and drummer Patrick Hunt. Hunt was fired after playing on their first session and was replaced by Blair Cunningham. Haircut 100 signed with Arista Records and hotshot producer Bob Sargeant was assigned to work with them. He had success with The English Beat. When Haircut 100 signed with Arista, sax player Phil Smith and percussionist Mark Fox joined the band. They were originally hired as session musicians. Haircut 100's first single Favourite Shirts reached #4 on the British charts but their Love Plus One reached #3 in Britain and #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982. The album Pelican West reached #31 on the Billboard Hot 200. The album is available on CD with bonus tracks. So they were doing OK and then Nick Heyward left Haircut 100 for a solo career. Mark Fox took over as lead singer and Haircut 100 recorded a second album. Heyward was brought in to record vocals after the album was finished. But it was unsuccessful and they split up. Remember Heyward wrote all the songs on Pelican West. He has gone on to a significant solo career in England and Les Nemes still works with him. Blair Cunningham joined The Pretenders and is a session drummer. Phil Smith is a recording engineer. I think Love Plus One is one of those songs folks recall but don't know anything about the group. Here's the video for Love Plus One by Haircut 100.
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