Ed Ball (musician)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ed Ball | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Origin | London | |
| Genre(s) | Post punk, Indie | |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards | |
| Years active | 1978 - present | |
| Associated acts |
Television Personalities, The Times, The Love Corporation, Teenage Filmstars | |
| Website | [1] | |
Edward ('Ed') Ball is a singer, guitarist and keyboard player from north London. He also served as an executive at Creation Records. He was born and brought up in Chelsea, London, and currently lives in north London[1].
Contents |
[edit] Television Personalities
In 1978 Ball and schoolfriends Dan Treacy and Joe Foster formed a band. The band toured and released under a number of names (Teenage Filmstars, The Missing Scientists, O Level) before settling on the name Television Personalities. Ball and Treacy (Foster left the band prior to the recording of any material under the Television Personalities name) released three albums, "And Don't the Kids Just Love It" (1980), "Mummy Your Not Watching Me" (sic) (1981) and "They Could Have Been Bigger Than the Beatles" (1982), all on their self-owned Whaam! record label. "And Don't the Kids Just Love It" is generally considered the first twee pop album[2].
The Whaam! record label was later renamed Dreamworld following a legal dispute with George Michael[3]. Ball left the Television Personalities in [1982], although he later returned in 2004 and at present remains a member of the band.
[edit] The Times
On leaving the band, Ball set up The Times, a band with an ever-changing lineup in which he remained the only constant member. The band released seven heavily 1960s influenced albums: "This Is London" (1983), "I Helped Patrick McGoohan Escape" (1983), "Hello Europe" (1984), "Blue Period" (1985), "Boys About Town" (1985), "Up Against It" (1986) and "Enjoy the Times!" (1986), all on Ball's own Artpop label. In 1986 Ball dissolved The Times to become an executive at Creation Records; however, in 1988 he began to release new material under the Times name; "Beat Torture" (1988), "Et Dieu Crea la Femme" (1990), "Pure" (1991), "Alternative Commercial Crossover" (1993), "Sad But True" (1997) and "Pirate Playlist 66" (1999). Two albums were also released by Ball under the name of the Teenage Filmstars (although the other members of the original Teenage Filmstars were not involved in any way), "Rocket Charms" (1993) and "Buy Our Record Support Our Sickness" (1995).
[edit] Solo career
In 1995 Creation Records issued a two-disc compilation of Ball's material, "Welcome to the Wonderful World of Ed Ball", covering all his material other than that released with the Television Personalities. Two albums of solo material were released to coincide with it, "If a Man Ever Loved a Woman" (1995) and "Catholic Guilt" (1996), followed by "Why Do I Need A Gun I'm Chelsea" (1999). Although heavily promoted, all four albums were unsuccessful commercially, and following the collapse of Creation in 1999 Ball was not signed to any other label and disappeared from the public gaze[4]. In 2004 Ball rejoined the Television Personalities[5], and continues to play occasional shows under the name of The Times. He also works with singer/songwriter Misty Woods, although this collaboration has yet to result in any released recordings.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Edward Ball Answers Our Questions of Doom!. Poptones (2005-10-06). Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
- ^ Abebe, Nitsuh (2005-10-24). Twee as Fuck: The Story of Indie Pop. Pitchfork. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
- ^ Robbins, Ira. Television Personalities. Trouser Press. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
- ^ Mason, Stewart. Edward Ball. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
- ^ History of the Television Personalities. A Day in Heaven. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
