Chequered Past
| Chequered Past | |
|---|---|
Left to right: Steve Jones, Clem Burke, Nigel Harrison, Michael Des Barres and Tony Sales.
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City |
| Genres | Rock |
| Years active | 1982–1985 |
| Labels | EMI Records |
| Associated acts | Blondie, Sex Pistols, Tin Machine, Silverhead, Detective, Power Station |
| Past members | Michael Des Barres, Clem Burke, Nigel Harrison, Steve Jones, Tony Fox Sales, Frank Infante |
Chequered Past was a rock supergroup led by actor/singer Michael Des Barres and featuring members of Blondie, the Sex Pistols and Tin Machine. They formed in 1982 and released one, self-titled, album in 1984 on EMI Records. The group stopped performing when lead singer Des Barres was recruited to replace Robert Palmer in Power Station.
The band started in New York City as a cover band, with their first show being at the Peppermint Lounge on September 26, 1982 and the first song they ever performed live was "Vacation" by The Go-Go's. Des Barres described the music as "New York Dolls in a home for senior citizens".
Nigel Harrison (of Blondie) had often collaborated with Michael Des Barres, and when Des Barres toured in 1981 to support his album I'm Only Human, Harrison was part of his touring band. Des Barres first met Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones in 1978 at the Sex Pistols' San Francisco show at the Winterland Ballroom. It was Jones' girlfriend who first suggested that Jones and Des Barres form a band, and the initial line-up was rounded out by Harrison and two more members of the recently disbanded Blondie, Clem Burke and Frank Infante. Frank Infante was eventually replaced by Tony Fox Sales.
Chequered Past opened for various well known acts, including Ratt,Little Steven, INXS and Duran Duran. Duran Duran had opened for Blondie on an earlier tour, so they returned the favor by inviting Chequered Past to open for them on an arena date. This association led Andy Taylor to later invite Des Barres to join Power Station when Robert Palmer left, which ultimately led to the end of Chequered Past.
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