Peter Cox (musician)

Peter Cox

Peter Cox performing with Go West, 2008
Background information
Born (1955-11-17) 17 November 1955
Kingston, Surrey, England
Genres Pop, blue-eyed soul
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Voice, drums, guitar, keyboards
Years active 1973–present
Labels Chrysalis Records
Associated acts Go West, Tony Hadley, Bernie Nolan, Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Website Peter Cox.org

Peter John Cox (born 17 November 1955) is an English singer-songwriter, best known as one half of the 1980s pop/blue-eyed soul duo Go West.

Early career and Go West

Peter Cox sang in his school choir and later as a chorister at The Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace. In his early twenties he worked in a 'covers' band for The Mecca Organisation. While in residency in a Sheffield nightclub he began writing with longtime collaborator Richard Drummie, with whom he eventually signed a publishing deal. For the next few years, Cox and Drummie tried to land a recording contract until, with the help of manager John Glover and producer Gary Stevenson, the duo finally recorded the songs which would become their first two singles.

After signing a deal with Chrysalis Records their first single, "We Close Our Eyes", was a Top 5 hit in the UK Singles Chart. Other singles included "Call Me" and "Don't Look Down". The following year, Go West were named 'Best Newcomers' at the 1986 BRIT Awards.

In 1990 the group finally achieved US success with their single "The King of Wishful Thinking" which featured on the soundtrack of the film Pretty Woman. Subsequent releases from the band received several awards based on airplay in America.

Solo career

Cox moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to pursue a solo career.[1] His debut album Peter Cox was released in 1997 to critical acclaim. Songs on the album include "Ain't Gonna Cry Again", "What a Fool Believes" and "If You Walk Away". Subsequent CDs include Flame Still Burns (2001), Nine Miles High (2002), Desert Blooms (2002), Game For Fools (2005) and Motor City Music (2006). Cox also teamed up with Tony Hadley on the album Tony Hadley vs Peter Cox & Go West, released in 2004 and collaborated with Bernie Nolan on what was to be her final studio recording.

In 2003 Cox replaced Then Jerico's Mark Shaw on the UK TV reality show Reborn in the USA after Shaw stormed off the series in the show's first few days. Even though Cox had achieved previous success across the Atlantic as the singer of Go West, he was able to appear on the show as he was unknown in the US as a solo artist. He was a favourite to win but was voted off in New York after he forgot the lyrics to the Norah Jones hit he was performing. Following his departure from the show Cox reunited with old bandmate Richard Drummie and the eventual winner, Tony Hadley, for a three-month UK tour.

In 2008 Cox, Drummie and a new Go West line-up released the album futurenow and toured the UK.

On 16 October 2009 he was announced as the new lead singer with Manfred Mann's Earth Band following the departure of Noel McCalla. His first public appearance with them was on 19 October 2009 at The Brook in Southampton, United Kingdom. Robert Hart replaced him in 2011.

In April 2010 Cox recorded The S1 Sessions. The album includes cover versions of Lonestar's song "Amazed" and the Leon Russell song "This Masquerade".

In 2012 Cox released Riding The Blinds, an album of alt-country songs written by Nashville luminaries. His most recent CD is "Damn The Brakes", released in 2013.

Discography

Solo albums

Solo singles

References

  1. ↑ "Peter Cox Biography – ARTISTdirect Music". Artistdirect.com. 17 November 1955. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  2. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 124. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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