Graham Parker

Graham Parker (born November 18 1950 in London) is a British rock singer and songwriter.

Related Topics:
November 18 - 1950 - London - British - Rock - Singer - Songwriter

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He was the vocalist of the Black Rockers and Deep Cut Three early in his career.

Related Topics:
Black Rockers - Deep Cut Three

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Graham Parker and the Rumour (Brinsley Schwarz and Martin Belmont on guitar, Bob Andrews on keyboards, Andrew Bodnar on bass and Steve Goulding on drums) formed in the summer of 1975 and began doing the rounds of the British pub rock scene. Their first album, Howlin' Wind, was released to acclaim in 1976 and was rapidly followed by Heat Treatment, which was essentially more of the same. Comprising a mixture of rock, ballads, and even reggae-influenced numbers, these albums reflected his early influences (Motown, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan) and contained the songs which would form the staple of Parker's live shows - "White Honey", "Soul Shoes", "Lady Doctor", "Fool's Gold" and his early signature tune "Don't Ask Me Questions". Parker and the Rumour built a reputation as incendiary live performers: the promotional album Live at Marble Arch was recorded at this time (a rarity on LP, it was issued on CD in 2001 as part of the set That's When You Know) and shows off their raw, tight onstage style. The singer's class-conscious lyrics and passionate vocals signaled a renewal of rock music as punk rock began to flower in Britain.

Related Topics:
Brinsley Schwarz - Martin Belmont - Bob Andrews - Andrew Bodnar - Steve Goulding - 1975 - Howlin' Wind - 1976 - Heat Treatment - Motown - The Rolling Stones - Bob Dylan - Class-conscious - Punk rock

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Although critically acclaimed, Parker's work made little impact on the British record charts. He was a contemporary of Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson, and his work was often compared favorably to both, particularly early in his career. The only appearance of Graham Parker and the Rumour on the BBC pop television show Top of the Pops (in 1976) was with a cover version of The Trammps' "Hold Back the Night". At this time Parker began to change his songwriting style, developing a more serious approach which also reflected his desire to break into the American market. The first fruits of this new direction appeared on the Stick to Me album (1977), which divided opinions, particularly on numbers like "The Heat in Harlem" - the band's longest song at that time. The production (by Nick Lowe) also came under fire, with some critics complaining that Parker's voice had been mixed down. An official live album The Parkerilla, issued in 1978, showed that their vibrant live style remained as strong as ever.

Related Topics:
Elvis Costello - Joe Jackson - BBC - Top of the Pops - The Trammps - Stick to Me - Nick Lowe

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Parker had long been dissatisfied with the performance of his US record company, Mercury Records (the song "Mercury Poisoning" appears on many live albums as testament to this) and they parted company. His first release for his new record company in 1979 was the album Squeezing Out Sparks, often rated as his best (although Parker himself has said the he considers his 1995 album 12 Haunted Episodes to be his best work). For Squeezing out Sparks The Rumour's brass section (prominent on all previous albums) was jettisoned, resulting in a spare rock backing for some of Parker's most intense songs. Of particular note was "You Can't Be Too Strong", one of rock music's rare songs to confront the topic of abortion, however ambivalently.

Related Topics:
Mercury Records - Squeezing Out Sparks - Abortion

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Squeezing out Sparks is still ranked by fans and critics alike as one of the finest rock albums ever made. Rolling Stone named it #335 http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/6599324 on their 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In an early 1987 Rolling Stone list of their top 100 albums from 1967-1987, Squeezing Out Sparks was ranked at #45, while Howlin' Wind came in at #54 http://www.coastal.edu/library/media/rs100.html; this illustrates the high critical place Parker held during the earlier parts of his career.

Related Topics:
Rolling Stone - Their 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time

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Squeezing Out Sparks was subsequently re-issued on CD in the US with a companion live album Live Sparks which showed how well these songs worked on stage. Although marginally less intense than its predecessor, 1980's The Up Escalator comprised equally fine work with some high quality guest support (Bruce Springsteen sings backing vocals on "Endless Night"). Nevertheless it was to be Parker's last album with the Rumour, although guitarist Brinsley Schwarz would join most of the singer's albums through the decade's end.

Related Topics:
1980 - The Up Escalator - Bruce Springsteen - Brinsley Schwarz

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The 1980s were Parker's most commercially successful years, with well-financed recordings and radio and video play. In 1988, however, Parker began producing his own albums and stripping down his sound. The Mona Lisa's Sister succeeded in the new "college rock" format and gained the singer renewed critical attention.

Related Topics:
1988 - The Mona Lisa's Sister - College rock

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Numerous albums have followed since, with different stylistic emphases, but Parker continues to write songs of struggle, compassion, and defiance in a hostile society. He has meanwhile adapted to the instability of his industry. Like many of his peers, he now works comfortably with independent record labels, tours often as a solo performer, and converses freely with fans at shows and online.

Related Topics:
Independent record labels - Online

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Parker published a set of short stories, Carp Fishing on Valium, in June 2000. His second book, a novel, The Other Life of Brian, appeared in September 2003. He now lives mostly in the United States.

Related Topics:
2000 - 2003 - United States

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