Chris Hughes (musician)
Christopher Merrick Hughes(born 3 March 1954,[1]London, England), also known asMerrick,[2]is a British music producer, songwriter, and former drummer ofAdam and the Ants.[3]Best known as producer ofTears for Fears'Songs from the Big Chair,and as the co-writer of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World",Hughes has a joint background as a musician, songwriter and producer. His career began withAdam and the Antsas drummer and producer of the "Cartrouble"and"Kings of the Wild Frontier"singles, then theKings of the Wild Frontieralbum. Yielding three hit singles, the album earned HughesMusic Week's 'Producer of the Year Award'.[4]
Life and career
[edit]Hughes was educated atEmanuel Schoolin London, and was a member of Adam and the Ants, also producing their albums,Kings of the Wild FrontierandPrince Charming.[5]Hughes was awardedMusic Week’s "Producer of the Year" award for his work on the album,Kings of the Wild Frontier.[5]He co-wroteTears for Fears' hit song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World",[5]and produced their first two albums, theplatinum-sellingThe Hurtingand the multi-platinumSongs from the Big Chair.[5]He began working with the band again on their third album,The Seeds of Love,but left the project due to creative differences. Hughes also producedthe Electric Soft Parade's debut album,Holes in the Wall,which was nominated for theMercury Prize,[5]andPropaganda's1234.[6]Hughes was also a member ofDalek I Love Youand co-produced Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain".
In February 1994, Hughes releasedShift,his first solo album, which was re-released in July 2008.[5]Shiftwas a tribute to Americanminimalistcomposer,Steve Reich.In 1972, Hughes' father took him to London to see Reich's performance ofDrumming.Hughes credits Reich as a driving influence in his career.[7]Shiftuses fragments of Reich's work and "subjects it to subtle manipulations using the technology of recorded sound".[7]
At db records,[8]Hughes worked on the early development ofTom McRae[9]andthe Electric Soft Parade,producing debut albums that were both nominated for aMercury Music Prize.
Hughes has worked with many artists including: Adam and the Ants,Def Leppard,Tears for Fears,Robert Plant,Paul McCartney,Peter Gabriel,Ric Ocasek,Wang Chung,Tom McRae, the Electric Soft Parade,Propaganda,Howard Jones,Lloyd Cole,Jon Bon Jovi,Tori Amos,Enya(Eithne Ní Bhraonáin),Moya Brennan(Máire Ní Bhraonáin) the voice ofClannad,Crybaby, Stackridge,the Teardrop Explodesand Sam Brookes.
His albumEirenic Lifewas released on Helium Records on 14 July 2017.
References
[edit]- ^"March 3 Birthdays in History".Brainyhistory.Retrieved18 June2013.
- ^"Adam and the Ants".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon 15 April 2006.Retrieved17 February2010.
- ^"Adam Ant - Pop Star".BBC.co.ukdate=13 December 2000.Retrieved17 February2010.
- ^"Music Week Awards 2013 |".Musicweekawards. 11 April 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 17 April 2013.Retrieved18 June2013.
- ^abcdef"Chris Hughes".Helium Records.Retrieved17 February2010.
- ^"1234 - Propaganda".Billboard.Retrieved17 February2010.
- ^ab"Scott Duncan's classical aisle".The Orange County Register.9 December 1994.
- ^"Biography".Dbrecords.co.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 18 March 2008.Retrieved18 June2013.
- ^"Tom McRae-Home".Tommcrae.Retrieved18 June2013.
External links
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