Bari Goddard

Bari Goddard (born 9 February 1958) is an avant garde and controversial Welsh singer-songwriter, artist and photographer. He was born in Pontypridd, South Wales.

Life and work

Goddard was lead singer with Welsh Art Rock band Blaue Reiter,^[1] who released a single in 1981 called "Where He Stands" on Orifice Records (catalogue number ROZ1) to critical acclaim from John Peel, marketed by Rough Trade Records in London. The band split in 1982 and Goddard moved to London. He formed a band with Steve Maguire (of the Eurythmics) called The Design Team, then became lead vocalist with The Knives (ex-Brigandage) from 1983 to 1987. The Knives released one song, "The Lonely One", on the compilation album "Freedon To Rock" on Red Bus Records in 1986, amid often sellout performances at the Marquee Club, and the Batcave in London. Renowned for his performing skills and vocal range he was approached by bands as diverse as Marillion and Frankie Goes To Hollywood for their vacant lead vocals, dismissing both as "dinosaurs unaware of the comet".

In 1989 Goddard became backing vocalist with Then Jerico touring their Big Area album internationally. A double CD compilation of Radio Sessions and a live performance at Hammersmith Odeon in 1989 was released in 1997, called "Radio Jerico" on Eagle Rock Communications Records. When Then Jerico split in 1990 he became backing vocalist with The Communards and Jimmy Somerville. Performed with Jimmy Somerville at the London premier of the 1992 film Orlando and at the London premier of the 1991 Pedro Almodóvar film High Heels. After the exhaustive and hectic touring schedule of the Jimmy Somerville Greatest Hits world tour in 1991 – 3, he opted out of the music world and returned to his love of painting. Today he is a reclusive artist and photographer, living in London, exhibiting throughout Europe. He featured on the Saatchi online Web site where his work was likened to Graham Sutherland and Ceri Richards.

Landscapes inspired by his native Wales are a constant theme in his paintings; his photographs range from the bizarrely occult to flagrant homo-erotocism. His figurative painting remains edgy and current, one of his works "Burning The Babies Of Muslim Martyrs" exhibited in Madrid and London in 2000 caused a great deal of controversy for which he is unrepentant, stating "political correctness is a castration device designed by religion and government to make us all grey — I don't like grey".

Video appearances include "Rain" — Madonna, "Mistletoe And Wine" — Sir Cliff Richard, "Loves In The Neighbourhood" — His Latest Flame, "Good Guys Only Win In The Movies" — C. C. Catch.

An exhibition of his landscape paintings and occult-inspired photographs was shown in September 2009 at Taurus Gallery Bar, Manchester ^[2]

Steven Smith's book It Shouldn't Happen to a Hairdresser: Celebrity Tales from My Crimping Days contained three photographs of Steven Smith, Denise Welch and Jayne Moore, all taken by Goddard.

Goddard had his 'QUIRKS' exhibition early this year at The Ketchum Pieon Gallery

Goddard shot the latest cover for the 2013 release of Sex Gang Children's Viva Vigilante album.

Goddard has recently renounced his Welsh citizenship to become a North Korean citizen. Citing that he no longer has a lust for Leeks and Max Boyce but will be far happier "Wailing and Gnashing" at the passing of North Korea's next beloved Leader.

References