Junior Giscombe (born Norman Giscombe, 10 November 1961,[1][2] London of Jamaican parentage) is a singer-songwriter who was one of the first British R&B artists to be successful in the United States. His date of birth is open to speculation with other sources quoting 1960,[3] or even 6 June in either 1957,[4] 1960 or 1961.
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Career
Giscombe was a backing vocalist with Linx between 1980 and 1982.
When turning towards a solo career, he was first billed simply as Junior and he scored a #7 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1982, with "Mama Used To Say".[5] His follow-up single, "Too Late" also made the Top 20 in the UK.[5] "Mama Used to Say" was also a Top 10 hit in the United States, earning him a "Best Newcomer" award from Billboard magazine.[6]
After a period outside the charts, he made a brief return to the Top 10 in 1987 when he sang a duet with Kim Wilde on "Another Step (Closer to You)". He also became involved with the formation of Red Wedge in 1986 with Billy Bragg, Jimmy Somerville and Paul Weller, and had been a part of The Council Collective with The Style Council, Jimmy Ruffin and others for the 1984 fundraising single, "Soul Deep". Later he became better known as a songwriter for various artists, including Sheena Easton. He is currently a DJ with internet radio station, Solarradio.com.[7]
Giscombe is the uncle of the UK comedian, Richard Blackwood, who covered "Mama Used to Say" in June 2000.
Discography
Singles
- On Mercury Records:
- "Mama Used to Say" (1982), No 7 UK Singles Chart
- "Too Late" (1982), No 20 UK
- "Let Me Know"/"I Can't Help It" (1982), No 53 UK
- "Communication Breakdown" (1983), No 57 UK
- On London Records:
- "Somebody" (1984), No 64 UK
- "(Do You Really) Want My Love" (1985), No 47 UK
- "Oh Louise" (1985), No 74
- On MCA Records:
- "Another Step (Closer to You)" (credited to Kim Wilde and Junior) (1987) No 6 UK
- "Step Off" (1990), No 63 UK (credited to Junior Giscombe)
- "Then Came You" (1992), No 32 UK (credited to Junior Giscombe)
- "All Over the World" (1992), No 74 UK (credited to Junior Giscombe)
Albums
- Ji (Mercury Records 1982), No 28 UK
- Inside Lookin' Out (1983)
- Acquired Taste (1985)
- Sophisticated Street (1988)
- Stand Strong (1990)
References
- ^ Brainyhistory.com
- ^ Discogs.com
- ^ Soulwalking.co.uk
- ^ IMDb.com
- ^ a b c d Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 293. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Juniorgiscombe.co.uk
- ^ Solar Radio
External links
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