The Flying Pickets

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This article refers to the singing group. For the technique used in labor disputes, see flying pickets.

The Flying Pickets is a British a cappella vocal group, that had a surprise number one hit in 1983 in the UK singles chart, with their cover of Yazoo's track - "Only You".

Contents

[edit] History

The name 'Flying Pickets' refers to mobile strikers who travel in order to join a picket. The group of six was founded by Brian Hibbard in 1982 from a group of actors, the "7:84 Theatre group", a fringe theatre group who had sung acapella in their production of One Big Blow, based on the 1982 UK miners' strike. "Only You", their debut single, was the British Christmas number one in 1983, spending a total of five weeks at the top, and also doing well around Europe. A second single When You're Young and in Love reached number 7, but their third, a cover of the Eurythmics' Who's That Girl barely charted. Joining Hibbard in the Group were Rick Lloyd, Gareth Williams, David Brett, Ken Gregson and Red Stripe (real name David Gittins).

They were internationally renowned for their appearances; Hibbard's huge sideburns, Stripe's thick eyeliner and 4 others showing off flamboyant suits and large hats. A group like the pickets were very lucky to get into the charts at all, let alone a Christmas number one and a pleasing number 7.

Hibbard and Gittins tried desperately to stay in the music business, and formed their own act called 'Brian and Stripe', but unfortunately their first and only single failed and they returned to their separate acting careers.

Since the Original Flying Pickets split, a new team of 5 ambitious men have tried to follow in the Original's footsteps - but have had no chart success. They tour around Europe in lots of small venues all year round, but have not achieved the short-lived giddy heights of their predecessors.

[edit] Post picket duties

Their founder and lead singer, Brian Hibbard, went on to act in Doctor Who, and then briefly in Coronation Street, and has since appeared regularly on Welsh television. He also had a brief role as "Bobby-John Downes" on popular soap Emmerdale in 2003 and then came back for another brief spell in 2006.

[edit] Members

[edit] Original

[edit] Present

  • Andrea Figallo
  • Dylan Foster
  • Andy Laycock
  • Simon John Foster
  • Michael Henry

[edit] Discography

[edit] The Original Flying Pickets Albums

[edit] The New Flying Pickets Albums

  • The Warning - 1994
  • Politics of Need - 1996
  • Vox Pop - 1998
  • Live in Hamburg - 2003
  • Everyday - 2005

[edit] Singles

Preceded by:
Renée and Renato

Save Your Love

 UK Christmas Number One single

Only You

1983

 Succeeded by:
Band Aid

Do They Know It's Christmas

[edit] External links

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