Junior Giscombe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Junior Giscombe (born Norman Giscombe, 10 November 1960, London, of Jamaican parents) is a singer-songwriter who was one of the first British R'n'B artists to be successful in the United States.
Contents |
[edit] Career
He was first billed simply as Junior and he scored a Top 10 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1982, with the #7 hit "Mama Used To Say". His follow-up single, "Too Late" also made the Top 20 in the UK.
"Mama Used to Say" was also a Top 10 hit in the United States, earning him a "Best Newcomer" award from Billboard.[1]
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. 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.[2]
He was previously also a backing singer with Linx between 1980 and 1982.
Giscombe is the uncle of the UK comedian, Richard Blackwood, who later covered this song in June 2000).
[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
- On Mercury Records:
- "Mama Used to Say" (1982), No 7 UK (13 weeks in chart)
- "Too Late" (1982), No 20 UK (9 wks)
- "Let Me Know"/"I Can't Help It" (1982), No53 UK (3 wks)
- "Communication Breakdown" (1983), No 57 UK (3 wks)
- On London Records:
- "Somebody" (1984), No 64 UK (2 wks)
- "(Do You Really) Want My Love" (1985), No 47 UK (4 wks)
- "Oh Louise" (1985), No 74 (3 wks)
- On MCA Records:
- "Another Step (Closer to You)" (Credited to Kim Wilde and Junior) (1987) No 6 (11 wks)
- "Step Off" (1990), UK No 63 (3 wks) (Credited to Junior Giscombe)
- "Then Came You" (1992), UK No 32 (5 wks) (Credited to Junior Giscombe)
- "All Over the World" (1992), UK No 74 (1 wk) (Credited to Junior Giscombe)
[edit] Albums
- Ji (Mercury Records 1982), UK No 28 (14 wks)
- Inside Lookin' Out (1983)
- Acquired Taste (1985)
- Sophisticated Street (1988)
- Stand Strong (1990)
[edit] Further reading
- Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X
- Guinness Book of British Hit Albums - 7th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-619-7
