Jolley & Swain

Steve Jolley (1950) and Tony Swain (20 January 1952) were a successful pop musician, songwriting and record production duo in the United Kingdom in the early to mid-1980s, producing some of the top artists and songs of the era.

The pair met in 1975 when Swain was working as a television cameraman on The Muppet Show. They formed the band Chaser in 1975 with Richard Palmer (rhythm guitar and percussion), Nick Adams (lead guitar), Ray Bailey (bass) and Brian Grant (drums). Chaser released the single "Red Rum" (1975), written by Jolley, Palmer and Swain, on Polydor as a tribute to the famous racehorse. Swain left to pursue a career as a songwriter/record producer while Jolley released a single and an album with The English Boys in 1980. Their first known collaborative work was released by the late Irish singer Joe Dolan on his 1980 album Turn Out The Lights, which featured four Jolley/Swain compositions. In 1981 they reunited to produce the debut single "Body Talk" for Imagination. They produced four albums for the group and eight hit singles including "Just an Illusion" which peaked at number two in the UK Singles Chart. At the same time they produced albums and singles for Bananarama, including "Cruel Summer".^[1]

They subsequently produced the True album for Spandau Ballet, the title track reaching Number one in the UK chart in 1983, and its follow-up Parade.^[1] They also produced the Alf album for Alison Moyet on which the pair shared songwriting and musician credits for many of the tracks, and were nominated for a BRIT Award for the song, "Love Resurrection". Most of their recordings and productions were done at Red Bus Studios in London.

Swain and Jolley also produced artiste/songwriter/producer Kevin Kitchen for China Records. The album "Split Personality" and single "Put my arms around you" were released in 1985 and the single achieved UK top 40 status.

In 1985 they released their own (instrumental) album, Backtrackin', from which "Soul Street" was released as single.

They subsequently worked with Diana Ross, Tom Robinson, Errol Brown and Wang Chung, as well as Louise Goffin (daughter of Carole King and Gerry Goffin). After splitting up Swain went on to produce Kim Wilde's million-selling Close album. Jolley set up a record label under his surname.

On 12 October 2001, Jolley was jailed for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy.^[2] He was arrested again in 2003 by detectives investigating allegations of child sexual abuse against TV presenter and actor, Matthew Kelly.^[1]

Swain is now head A&R Consultant for Universal Records International.

References