Biography
Kevin Godley and Lol Creme forged an uncommon path across the landscape of British pop. Beginning with beat combos in the first half of the 1960s, they ventured into psychedelic pop toward the close of that decade, refined their command of the studio during the Hotlegs period, achieved worldwide recognition as members of 10cc, and later thrived as directors of music videos. A sharp, playful sense of humor, a gift for memorable melodies, technical prowess on instruments and in the control room, and rich vocal harmonies remained steady traits amid their shifting endeavors. Their initial psychedelic recordings appear on the 2022 anthology Frabjous Days – The Secret World Of Godley & Creme 1967-1969, selections from their 10cc years are gathered on 1997’s The Very Best of 10cc, and 1985’s The History Mix, Vol. 1 offers an unconventional overview of their output through the mid-1980s.
Kevin Godley entered the world in Prestwich, Lancashire, England on October 7, 1945; Laurence Neil Creme, known as Lol, arrived in the same town nearly two years afterward, on September 19, 1947. Raised on the identical street, the pair became fast friends and first collaborated on an amateur vampire film shot with a borrowed 8mm camera. Both developed musical interests, and by 1963 Creme’s guitar abilities secured him a spot in the local beat outfit the Sabres. After a lineup change, Godley joined as drummer, and the group performed sporadically across northern England. They rehearsed at a studio frequented by other area bands, among them the Whirlwinds, whose guitarist Graham Gouldman would later unite with Godley & Creme in 10cc; the Whirlwinds’ sole notable achievement was a single for EMI’s HMV imprint, whose B-side “Baby Not Like You” was written by Creme. Following the pattern of many British rock musicians of the time, both enrolled in art school; although attending separate institutions, they kept composing together. They maintained contact with Gouldman, who assisted with a song for a student film soundtrack; Gouldman refined the number, which emerged as “Pamela, Pamela,” a 1967 hit for Wayne Fontana.
Heartened by that success, Godley & Creme secured management in 1967 and recorded an unreleased single. Their subsequent release fared better: under the name Yellow Bellow Room Boys they issued “Seeing Things Green” b/w “Easy Life” on CBS, yet touring proved impossible, prompting the label to engage another band to mime promotional appearances despite the duo never performing live. Limited sales nevertheless led to a publishing deal, with Graham Gouldman and Harvey Lisberg becoming managers and providing a weekly stipend of five pounds, supplemented by freelance design work. Gouldman’s prior association with Marmalade Records, founded by Giorgio Gomelsky (formerly manager and producer of the Yardbirds), resulted in Godley being invited to a session; Gomelsky, struck by the singer’s voice, extended an offer to the duo upon learning of their partnership. Two tracks appeared on a Marmalade sampler, prompting Gomelsky to green-light an album and rename the act Frabjoy and Runcible Spoon, drawn from the nonsense poetry of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear. Their September 1969 single “I’m Beside Myself” b/w “Animal Song” blended psychedelic pop with American folk-rock influences, particularly Simon & Garfunkel. Album sessions at Strawberry Studio involved Gouldman and guitarist Eric Stewart, but Gomelsky’s financial collapse shuttered Marmalade Records two months after the single’s release, leaving most of the recordings unreleased until the 2022 collection Frabjous Days – The Secret World Of Godley & Creme 1967-1969.
Seeking new prospects after Gomelsky’s departure, Godley & Creme joined Gouldman on material commissioned by Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffrey Katz for their bubblegum enterprise, known for successes by the Ohio Express and the 1910 Fruitgum Company. Working at Strawberry Studio, the collaboration continued beyond the initial contract. During Gouldman’s absence in America, Godley, Creme, and Stewart crafted “Neanderthal Man,” issued as Hotlegs; the track became an international hit in 1970. A follow-up single stalled, leading the trio to evolve into 10cc upon Gouldman’s return. Their witty 1950s pastiche “Donna” earned a contract with Jonathan King’s U.K. label and reached number two on the British singles chart. The band matured into one of the decade’s leading British acts, releasing five Top Ten albums and gaining U.S. traction with 1975’s The Original Soundtrack and its single “I’m Not in Love.” Mounting creative tensions after 1976’s How Dare You! prompted Godley & Creme to exit, leaving Gouldman and Stewart to continue under the 10cc banner.
Godley & Creme invented the Gizmo, also called the Gizmotron, an effects device enabling guitarists to emulate violin tones and sustain notes indefinitely. Intended as an EP to demonstrate the invention, the project ballooned into the ambitious three-LP concept album Consequences, featuring vocals by Sarah Vaughan and narration by comedian and actor Peter Cook. Poor reviews and sales followed, so their next effort, 1978’s L, adopted a tighter format closer in spirit to their 10cc work. 1979’s Freeze Frame incorporated guest contributions from Paul McCartney and Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera while probing electronic textures, notably on “I Envy Inanimate Objects.” On 1981’s Ismism the duo performed nearly all instruments themselves, save Bimbo Acock’s saxophone; the U.S. edition appeared with altered artwork under the title Snack Attack. Although Ismism reached number 29 on the British album chart, 1983’s Birds of Prey drew negative responses from critics and listeners alike and failed to chart. Their 1985 release The History Mix, Vol. 1 employed the Fairlight CMI synthesizer and sampler to construct remixes blending elements from earlier tracks, with J.J. Jeczalik and Trevor Horn of the Art of Noise supplying dance rhythms. 1988’s Goodbye Blue Sky addressed environmental concerns, enlisted harmonica players Mark Feltham and Mitt Gamon on several pieces, and featured backing vocals from members of Londonbeat.
Music-making gradually became secondary as the pair achieved prominence directing videos for other performers. Having helmed clips for their own “An Englishman in New York” (1979) and “Wide Boy” (1980), they went on to create promos for Duran Duran (“Girls on Film”), Herbie Hancock (“Rockit”), the Police (“Every Breath You Take”), Huey Lewis & the News (“Hip to Be Square”), and Peter Gabriel (“Biko”), among numerous others. The creative partnership ended in 1989; Godley continued directing videos and commercials while Creme collaborated with the Art of Noise. In 1992, 10cc issued … Meanwhile, billed as a reunion of the original lineup. Godley sang lead on “The Stars Didn’t Show” and both contributed backing vocals to several tracks, yet they took no part in songwriting or production, marking their final joint work.
Kevin Godley entered the world in Prestwich, Lancashire, England on October 7, 1945; Laurence Neil Creme, known as Lol, arrived in the same town nearly two years afterward, on September 19, 1947. Raised on the identical street, the pair became fast friends and first collaborated on an amateur vampire film shot with a borrowed 8mm camera. Both developed musical interests, and by 1963 Creme’s guitar abilities secured him a spot in the local beat outfit the Sabres. After a lineup change, Godley joined as drummer, and the group performed sporadically across northern England. They rehearsed at a studio frequented by other area bands, among them the Whirlwinds, whose guitarist Graham Gouldman would later unite with Godley & Creme in 10cc; the Whirlwinds’ sole notable achievement was a single for EMI’s HMV imprint, whose B-side “Baby Not Like You” was written by Creme. Following the pattern of many British rock musicians of the time, both enrolled in art school; although attending separate institutions, they kept composing together. They maintained contact with Gouldman, who assisted with a song for a student film soundtrack; Gouldman refined the number, which emerged as “Pamela, Pamela,” a 1967 hit for Wayne Fontana.
Heartened by that success, Godley & Creme secured management in 1967 and recorded an unreleased single. Their subsequent release fared better: under the name Yellow Bellow Room Boys they issued “Seeing Things Green” b/w “Easy Life” on CBS, yet touring proved impossible, prompting the label to engage another band to mime promotional appearances despite the duo never performing live. Limited sales nevertheless led to a publishing deal, with Graham Gouldman and Harvey Lisberg becoming managers and providing a weekly stipend of five pounds, supplemented by freelance design work. Gouldman’s prior association with Marmalade Records, founded by Giorgio Gomelsky (formerly manager and producer of the Yardbirds), resulted in Godley being invited to a session; Gomelsky, struck by the singer’s voice, extended an offer to the duo upon learning of their partnership. Two tracks appeared on a Marmalade sampler, prompting Gomelsky to green-light an album and rename the act Frabjoy and Runcible Spoon, drawn from the nonsense poetry of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear. Their September 1969 single “I’m Beside Myself” b/w “Animal Song” blended psychedelic pop with American folk-rock influences, particularly Simon & Garfunkel. Album sessions at Strawberry Studio involved Gouldman and guitarist Eric Stewart, but Gomelsky’s financial collapse shuttered Marmalade Records two months after the single’s release, leaving most of the recordings unreleased until the 2022 collection Frabjous Days – The Secret World Of Godley & Creme 1967-1969.
Seeking new prospects after Gomelsky’s departure, Godley & Creme joined Gouldman on material commissioned by Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffrey Katz for their bubblegum enterprise, known for successes by the Ohio Express and the 1910 Fruitgum Company. Working at Strawberry Studio, the collaboration continued beyond the initial contract. During Gouldman’s absence in America, Godley, Creme, and Stewart crafted “Neanderthal Man,” issued as Hotlegs; the track became an international hit in 1970. A follow-up single stalled, leading the trio to evolve into 10cc upon Gouldman’s return. Their witty 1950s pastiche “Donna” earned a contract with Jonathan King’s U.K. label and reached number two on the British singles chart. The band matured into one of the decade’s leading British acts, releasing five Top Ten albums and gaining U.S. traction with 1975’s The Original Soundtrack and its single “I’m Not in Love.” Mounting creative tensions after 1976’s How Dare You! prompted Godley & Creme to exit, leaving Gouldman and Stewart to continue under the 10cc banner.
Godley & Creme invented the Gizmo, also called the Gizmotron, an effects device enabling guitarists to emulate violin tones and sustain notes indefinitely. Intended as an EP to demonstrate the invention, the project ballooned into the ambitious three-LP concept album Consequences, featuring vocals by Sarah Vaughan and narration by comedian and actor Peter Cook. Poor reviews and sales followed, so their next effort, 1978’s L, adopted a tighter format closer in spirit to their 10cc work. 1979’s Freeze Frame incorporated guest contributions from Paul McCartney and Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera while probing electronic textures, notably on “I Envy Inanimate Objects.” On 1981’s Ismism the duo performed nearly all instruments themselves, save Bimbo Acock’s saxophone; the U.S. edition appeared with altered artwork under the title Snack Attack. Although Ismism reached number 29 on the British album chart, 1983’s Birds of Prey drew negative responses from critics and listeners alike and failed to chart. Their 1985 release The History Mix, Vol. 1 employed the Fairlight CMI synthesizer and sampler to construct remixes blending elements from earlier tracks, with J.J. Jeczalik and Trevor Horn of the Art of Noise supplying dance rhythms. 1988’s Goodbye Blue Sky addressed environmental concerns, enlisted harmonica players Mark Feltham and Mitt Gamon on several pieces, and featured backing vocals from members of Londonbeat.
Music-making gradually became secondary as the pair achieved prominence directing videos for other performers. Having helmed clips for their own “An Englishman in New York” (1979) and “Wide Boy” (1980), they went on to create promos for Duran Duran (“Girls on Film”), Herbie Hancock (“Rockit”), the Police (“Every Breath You Take”), Huey Lewis & the News (“Hip to Be Square”), and Peter Gabriel (“Biko”), among numerous others. The creative partnership ended in 1989; Godley continued directing videos and commercials while Creme collaborated with the Art of Noise. In 1992, 10cc issued … Meanwhile, billed as a reunion of the original lineup. Godley sang lead on “The Stars Didn’t Show” and both contributed backing vocals to several tracks, yet they took no part in songwriting or production, marking their final joint work.
Albums
