Boo Hewerdine
| Boo Hewerdine | |
|---|---|
Performing in Aberdeen in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mark Hewerdine |
| Born |
14 February 1961 England |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Labels | Ensign, WEA, Compass, MVine, Navigator |
| Associated acts | The Great Divide The Bible State of the Union Eddi Reader |
| Website | www |
Mark "Boo" Hewerdine (born 14 February 1961) is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. His work includes lead singer and creative force behind The Bible, formed in the 1980s, and reformed in 1994, as well as solo recordings and work for film. He has also produced records by several artists, including a long association with Eddi Reader. He has been described as "one of Britain's most consistently accomplished songwriters".
Born Mark Hewerdine, he grew up in North London, before moving to Cambridge while still a child, and as a teenager formed the short-lived band Placebo Thing with a friend. He worked in the warehouse of Andy's Records in Bury St Edmunds, where he was exposed to a wide range of music. He joined The Great Divide in 1983, and the band were signed to Cambridge independent label Wimp Records by local entrepreneur David Gowar, and recorded and released their debut single "Who Broke the Love Bank" in 1982. They were heard by Mike Scott of The Waterboys, who recommended them to Ensign Records, who bought out their contract with Wimp, and they subsequently cut three commercially unsuccessful singles on Ensign.
In 1985 Hewerdine, working once again in a record shop in Cambridge (The Beat Goes On), formed The Bible with jazz drummer Tony Shepherd, later recruiting former Great Divide bandmate Kevin Flanagan. They released an album of songs in 1986 through the independent Norwich label Backs Records called Walking The Ghost Back Home.
The Bible became a fairly successful independent band, with a cult following spread mostly through word of mouth and live performances. Two tracks from the first album, "Graceland" and "Mahalia" were released as singles, but failed to bring them commercial success. The album however was very well received by music pundits, and this brought the band to the attention of Chrysalis Records. Signing to Chrysalis at the end of 1986, "Graceland" was re-released as a single, and reached number 86 in the UK singles chart. A new album, the Steve Earle-produced Eureka followed, but failed commercially. A new version of "Graceland" gave the band their biggest hit (number 51) in 1989. In 1990, Hewerdine decided to leave the group and pursue solo projects.
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Wikipedia