Chris Bradford (musician)

Christopher Michael Bradford (born 4 May 1950) is a British musician and songwriter. He is best known for being the lead vocalist and songwriter in the British rock band The Heroes, and member of the singer songwriting trio, Bardot.

Chris Bradford
Bradford in July 2014
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Michael Bradford
Born (1950-05-04) 4 May 1950
Liverpool, England
GenresHard rock, folk rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1965–present
Associated actsThe Heroes, Bardot

Early years

Bradford and Mark Hankins formed the band Palomino in the early 1970s, playing the pub rock scene and university gigs supporting such acts as Osibisa and Vinegar Joe (with Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer). The band also supported Neil Sedaka at the Albert Hall in 1972.[1][2] A first airing of Bradford's early songs. Hankins' next band, country rock outfit Randy, recorded Bradford's song "Crazy Love" on their debut album Lady Luck.

Bardot 1977–1978

Bradford hooked up with Laurie Andrew (aka Laurie Forsey) and Ray McRiner to form Bardot in 1977. Each member a strong singer/songwriter, their sound, heavy on melody and complex harmonies was sometimes compared to Crosby, Stills & Nash.

The band were signed to RCA Records in 1977, and released three singles between 1977 and 1978, the debut "Witchfire" hitting number 14 in the Dutch charts.[3][4] During 1977 Bardot supported Bonnie Tyler and her band in concert, and on 2 August performed "Eagle Road" and "Rockin in Rhythm" on The Elaine Simmons TV Show in Scotland. RCA released their album Rockin in Rhythm in 1978 – a collection of polished folk rock songs.[5] 1978 also saw Bardot working at Ringo Starr's Startling Studios providing all the backing vocals for Graham Bonnet's album No Bad Habits. The album was produced by Pip Williams who collaborated extensively with Bardot and with Bradford on his later projects.

The Heroes 1979–1981

Formed in 1979, with Bradford and Mark Hankins on guitar and vocals, The Heroes line-up was completed by Pete Lennon (lead guitar), Dave Powell (drums) and ex-Randy band-member Brian (Wally) Wallis on bass guitar. Their musical style combined pop / rock ballads and boogie.

Although primarily a recording group, they undertook a tour of Germany playing the Olympianhalle in Munich, the Top Ten Club in Hamburg and a show in Berlin. In this show, the truck carrying the group's instruments did not stop and continued into Poland, forcing the group to use the equipment belonging to the band they were touring with, Dr. Feelgood.

The Heroes signed with Polydor Records in 1979, and recorded an album of ten songs, Border Raiders[6] also produced by Pip Williams in 1980, plus a single "Some Kind of Women" b/w "10% Will Do".

Sweet connection

Bradford has worked for many years with Andy Scott, guitarist and writer of Sweet who went on to have a successful solo career after glam rock. Some of Scott's solo successes came from his collaborations with Bradford: they co-wrote "Krugerrands" - a top ten hit in Australia and South Africa, "Invisible", "Let Her Dance" and many others.[7][8] Bradford also worked with Sweet's lead singer Brian Connolly on his solo work.

During 1983, Bradford, Scott and producer Mike Vernon wrote a collection of songs together, intended for release by other artists.[9] Some of the music written that summer was used in the Italian film Il Lupo di Mare.[10]

Covers

Bradford has written songs for many diverse artists such as Kit Hain, Kiki Dee, Dr. Feelgood,[11] Lene Lovich and Greg Lake.[12]

Studio work

Bradford has provided backing vocals for many artists including Brian Connolly, Greg Lake, Dr. Feelgood, Graham Bonnet, Terry Sylvester of The Hollies, blues guitarist Ray Minhinnet, The Monroes, Breathe and Andy Scott.

Discography

Albums
  • 2019 - Christopher Days [13]

Albums
  • 1978 – Rockin in Rhythm – Bardot (Composer, Guitar, Vocals)[5]
  • 1980 – Border Raiders – The Heroes (Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Vocals)[6]

Singles
  • 1977 – "Witchfire" / "Hero's Reward" – Bardot[14]
  • 1978 – "Julie" / "Mountain Side" – Bardot (Netherlands)[15]
  • 1978 – "No-One Cries" / "All The Ladies" – Bardot[15]
  • 1980 – "Some Kind Of Women" / "10% Will Do" – The Heroes[16]

With other artists

References
  1. "Palomino – Mark Hankins bio". Lyn Paul website. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  2. "Mark Hankins, Palomino, Randy". New Seekers website. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  3. "Witchfire Top 40 Hit". Top40.nl. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  4. "Witchfire Chart Position 14" (PDF). Top40.nl. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  5. "Rockin in Rhythm @ Allmusic". Allmusic database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  6. "Border Raiders @ Allmusic". Allmusic database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  7. "Krugerrands". Andy Scott Webspace. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  8. "Andy Scott Solo CD". The Sweet Web. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  9. "Sweet Songs for Publishing" (PDF). TheSweet.Com. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  10. "Il lupo di mare". IMDb.com. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  11. "Bradford credits in Dr Feelgood lyric page". Dr Feelgood Website. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  12. "Kiki Dee review". Joe Viglione, Rovi. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  13. "Christopher Days @ Amazon". Amazon listing. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  14. "Witchfire @ Discogs". Discogs database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  15. "Bardot @ 45cat". 45cat database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  16. "Some Kind of Women @ Discogs". Discogs database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  17. "No Bad Habits @ Discogs". Discogs database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  18. "Chris Bradford Discography @ Discogs". Discogs database. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  19. "Perfect Timing by Kiki Dee @ Allmusic". Allmusic database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  20. "School for Spies by Kit Hain @ Discogs". Discogs database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  21. "School for Spies by Kit Hain @ 45Worlds". 45worlds database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  22. "Famous Last Words @ Andy Scott website". Andy Scott website. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  23. "Monroes - Face Another Day credits". Discogs Database. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  24. "Chris Bradford credits @ Allmusic". Allmusic database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  25. "Discogs Database". Press The Flesh discography. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  26. "Chris Bradford credits @ Artistdirect". Artist Direct database. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  27. "Me And My Mouth @ Discogs". Discogs database. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
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