Craig Allen says: ‘Meet Talk Talk’

It was the mid-80's, and "New Wave" was all the rage when the world met the band that named themselves...twice...As I was playing their biggest hit (and a personal fave) on "Saturday Night Jersey 80's" a few weeks ago, it occurred to me that I should research the band "Talk Talk."

The band started as a foursome, consisting of: main songwriter and vocalist Mark Hollis, drummer Lee Harris, Paul Webb on bass guitar, and Simon Brenner on keyboards.

In their early years, this London-based band was often compared to Duran Duran, as both bands had a single word as a name, repeated. They were both on the EMI records label...and both bands were produced by Colin Thurston. As a matter of fact, Talk Talk supported Duran Duran on tour in 1981!

The band's first single, "Mirror Man" was released in February 1982...but it went nowhere.

Undeterred, Talk Talk released the self-titled single "Talk Talk" in April 1982...

...it went to #52 on the British hit charts. After being re-released, it climbed to #32.

Talk Talk found a growing fan base, when they took part in a Genesis Reunion Show (with Peter Gabriel) in late 1982.

Meanwhile, "Talk Talk" the American single debut for the band went to #75 in the last weeks of 1982, on the U.S. Pop Charts.

Keyboard player Simon Brenner left the band in 1983. Technically, he was not replaced...making Talk Talk a trio. Let me explain...

Tim Friese-Greene came aboard at this time, as a producer...he would occasionally play keyboards with the band, and would go on to be a frequent songwriting partner for Hollis. Despite his creative input, Friese-Greene did not regularly play with the band, did not appear in live shows or publicity material...so he was not identified as a Talk Talk member.

1984 to 1985 was a good time for Talk Talk...with the release of their "It's My Life" album.

"Its My Life" (the single) is the song that I was playing for you earlier this sumner, on Saturday Night Jersey 80's!

It was the band's biggest hit in New Jersey, reaching #31 in the summer of 1984. The single went top 10 in Italy...it also charted in Canada, France, Germany, Holland, and New Zealand. By the way, that is Mark Hollis making fun of lip syncing in the video...

"Such A Shame" was a top 5 hit in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland...it could only reach #89 (1984) on our pop charts...so chances are, this is the first time you've heard the song!

Despite their international success ("It's My Life" was largely ignored in their native England), Talk Talk started moving away from "mainstream" New Wave...

"The Colour Of Spring" album, released in 1986, showed a complete departure from New Wave...and it was Talk Talk's biggest album in England! The album reached top-10 status on the album charts, and was certified Gold for over 100,000 copies sold.

"Life's What You Make It" went into the top 20 in England...this side of the "pond," it barely cracked the Hot 100, stalling at #90 (1986).

Life would have to go on, without the American fans, as "Life's What You Make It" was the band's last entry on the U.S. charts.

"The Spirit Of Eden" album was released on EMI's Parlopone label in 1988. It was made up of hours of improvisation...that Hollis and Friese-Greene edited and arranged using digital equipment.  The album was a mix of rock, jazz, classical and ambient music!

Critics loved the album, and it sold over 60,000 copies.

Talk Talk split with the EMI label in 1990, but EMI put out a "Best Of" album titled "Natural History." It was an international success...

"It's My Life" was re-released in England, and it became the band's biggest hit there, landing at #13 (1990). "Life's What You Make It" cracked the British top 40, re-charting in the 30s!

The following year, "History Revised" hit record store shelves. Also a big seller, the album was made up of 12 inch singles, and alternative versions of the band's songs.

Talk Talk sued EMI for releasing the remixes without their permission.

Polydor Records had signed Talk Talk to a two album contract in 1990...

The L.P. "Laughing Stock" came out in 1991. It peaked at #25 on the UK album charts, and formalized the "experimental" sound begun with the "Spirit Of Eden" album years earlier.

At this point, Talk Talk had transitioned into an outlet for Hollis and Friese-Green's studio recordings, with help from long-time drummer Lee Harris, and many studio musicians.

Talk talk called it quits in 1992, as Hollis wanted to spend time with his family.

Mark Hollis would release a solo album in 1998, and retired from music a short time later.

"It's My Life" lives on, on New Jersey 101.5....and if it sounds familiar, but you could swear that the song featured a female lead voice, you'd be right...

...as Gwen Stefani and "No Doubt" covered (remade) the song in 2003. It was a top 10 hit this time (#10/2003)...