The Blow Monkeys

Turning their noses up at the pomp and flouncy drama of the new romantics, Blow Monkeys were part of an early 1980s scene that filled Britain's suave wine bars with arty, soulful, sophisticated pop. Full of saxophone solos and smoochy lyrics, the band were led by front man Dr. Robert and first came to attention when their single Digging The Scene confronted the controversial topic of AIDS and its effect on the gay community. Second album Animal Magic (1986) fared well in the US, before single It Doesn't Have To Be This Way became their biggest UK hit, reaching Number 5 and featuring in the hit movie Police Academy 4. They also contributed their track You Don't Own Me to the soundtrack album of Dirty Dancing, which topped the US charts and went on to sell over 42 million copies, while Dr. Robert teamed up with Kym Mazelle for the club anthem Wait. Their greatest hits album Choices - The Singles (1989) reached Number 5 in the UK, but the band split in 1990 with Dr. Robert going on to work with Paul Weller and Beth Orton.

Please enable Javascript to view this page competely.