Craig Allen says: ‘Meet Go West’

"Go West" is an English pop duo that had their greatest recording success from the mid 1980's to the early 1990's, scoring one of "Jersey's Favorite Hits" in 1990!The band formed in London in 1982, made up of lead vocalist Peter Cox (born November 17, 1955) and rhythm guitarist and backup singer Richard Drummie (born March 20, 1959).

As it ends up, Go West had a publishing deal and a "portastudio" (a 4-track cassette recorder/mixer, often used for recording song demos). What they lacked was a backing band, and a record company deal.

With help from their manager, Cox and Drummie found a producer, and recorded two songs.  Those two songs got them a record deal with the Chrysalis label.

That first song, "We Close Our Eyes" was a #5 hit on the UK Singles charts in 1985. It was also a #5 hit on the US Dance charts.  As the video got play on MTV, "We Close Our Eyes" almost cracked the Top 40 in New Jersey, stopping at #41 (1985).

Go West was voted "Best Newcomers" at the 1986 "Brit Awards."

Ironically, "We Close Our Eyes" would be the band's only top-10 charting, and biggest, single in their native England!

That second "demo" song, "Call Me" would land at #54.

"Don't Look Down" didn't go anywhere...but it would serve as a prequel for another song...

The album "Bangs And Crashes" would be filled with remixes, B-side songs, and live recordings...in 1986.

A proper followup album, "Dancing On The Couch" came out in 1987.

Several singles were released...none of them doing all that well in England, although "Couch" was a Top-20 album in the UK.

Ironically, "Don't Look Down-The Sequel," would be Go West's first Top 40 song in America, landing at #39 (1987). Further irony: "The Sequel" wasn't included on British versions of the CD! In England, they got the song "Let's Build A Boat."

In 1990, "King Of Wishful Thinking," would zoom to #8 on the Hot 100 charts (#7 on the Adult Contemporary chart), thanks to its inclusion in the soundtrack for the movie "Pretty Woman."

In 1991, the music licensing organization ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) gave "King Of Wishful Thinking" an award as one of the most-played songs of 1990. It would also become one of "Jersey's Favorite Hits!"

The 1992 album "Indian Summer" (which also included "King Of Wishful Thinking") offered up the band's next big hit "Faithful."

"Faithful" was a #14 hit in New Jersey, in early 1993! It was a #3 hit on the AC (adult) chart.

It went to #13 in England (1992). The song would go on to win airplay awards for both 1992 and 1993, here in the US!

Go West remade Bobby Caldwell's 1979 hit "What You Won't Do For Love" in 1992.

The band's last U.S. hit, it only went to #55 on the Hot 100 chart, but was a #3 hit on the AC (Adult Contemporary) chart in 1993.

In 1997, Peter Cox took a break from Go West to pursue solo efforts. He has put out several solo albums since, including "Damn The Brakes" last year.

Go West remains active to this day...putting out a series of three EPs, called "3D." Part 1 was issue in 2010, part 2 in 2011, and the final installment was released last year.

To see what else the band is up to, click here for the official Go West website!