Be Bop Deluxe

Be Bop Deluxe emerged in the 1970s as a British rock outfit fronted by guitarist Bill Nelson, born December 18, 1948, in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. The group moved fluidly among glam rock, pop, and heavy metal while repeatedly spotlighting Nelson’s command of the guitar. Following earlier sessions with Gentle Revolution and several solo efforts, Nelson assembled the original Be Bop Deluxe lineup in 1972, enlisting Ian Parkin on guitar, Robert Bryan on bass, and Nicholas Chatterton-Dew on drums. Once Axe Victim appeared, he dismissed those musicians. For the follow-up, Futurama, Nelson recruited bassist Charles Tumahai and drummer Simon Fox. Keyboardist Andrew Clark came aboard in time for the third release, Sunburst Finish, which yielded the U.K. chart single “Ships in the Night.” The band went on to issue Modern Music as its fourth album, then the concert set Live! In the Air Age—its sole U.K. Top Ten success—before delivering the fifth studio effort, Drastic Plastic. Nelson subsequently disbanded the project, briefly formed Red Noise, and resumed a solo career in 1979. From that point forward he has issued numerous recordings, often of an experimental bent, while taking on occasional production assignments.