Biography
The Passions emerged in June 1978 as an English post-punk group carrying clear pop inclinations. Barbara Gogan, born in Dublin, Eire, fronted the lineup on vocals and guitar, joined by Mitch Barker on vocals, Clive Timperley on guitar and vocals, Claire Bidwell on bass and vocals, and Richard Williams on drums. All members except Timperley had previously appeared in Rivers Of Passion, while everyone except Bidwell had passed through assorted versions of the Derelicts from 1974 to 1976; during the same period Timperley also performed with Joe Strummer’s 101ers.
Gogan had left Dublin at eighteen and lived for a time inside a Marxist commune in France before arriving in London in 1972. She settled into a squat near Ladbroke Grove and became involved with the Derelicts, an informal circle of left-wing musicians. The same circle evolved into the Passions, who issued their first single, ‘Needles And Pins’, on the small Soho label that also housed the Nips and the Inmates.
Barker exited in 1979 after a broken leg ended his musical involvement. The remaining four-piece signed with Fiction Records, releasing both a debut album and the single ‘Hunted’. Bidwell departed in July 1980 to start Schwarze Kapelle and later joined the Wall; David Agar, an early member of Spandau Ballet, took her place. Fiction dropped the band three days afterward, yet Polydor Records immediately offered a contract.
Commercial recognition arrived in 1981 with the Polydor single ‘I’m In Love With A German Film Star’, the group’s only hit despite the quality of subsequent work. Timperley left in December 1981 to open a health shop. Guitarist Kevin Armstrong, formerly of Local Heroes SW9, and keyboardist Jeff Smith, ex-Lene Lovich band, joined without reversing the commercial decline. Armstrong himself departed in August 1982 and was replaced by Steve Wright.
Gogan had left Dublin at eighteen and lived for a time inside a Marxist commune in France before arriving in London in 1972. She settled into a squat near Ladbroke Grove and became involved with the Derelicts, an informal circle of left-wing musicians. The same circle evolved into the Passions, who issued their first single, ‘Needles And Pins’, on the small Soho label that also housed the Nips and the Inmates.
Barker exited in 1979 after a broken leg ended his musical involvement. The remaining four-piece signed with Fiction Records, releasing both a debut album and the single ‘Hunted’. Bidwell departed in July 1980 to start Schwarze Kapelle and later joined the Wall; David Agar, an early member of Spandau Ballet, took her place. Fiction dropped the band three days afterward, yet Polydor Records immediately offered a contract.
Commercial recognition arrived in 1981 with the Polydor single ‘I’m In Love With A German Film Star’, the group’s only hit despite the quality of subsequent work. Timperley left in December 1981 to open a health shop. Guitarist Kevin Armstrong, formerly of Local Heroes SW9, and keyboardist Jeff Smith, ex-Lene Lovich band, joined without reversing the commercial decline. Armstrong himself departed in August 1982 and was replaced by Steve Wright.
Albums
Singles
