Peter Cox (musician)

Peter John Cox (born 17 November 1955)[1] is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the British pop duo Go West.

Peter Cox
Cox performing with Go West, 2008
Background information
Born (1955-11-17) 17 November 1955
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
LabelsChrysalis Records
Associated actsGo West, Tony Hadley, Bernie Nolan, Manfred Mann's Earth Band
WebsitePeter Cox.org

Early career and Go West

Peter John 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. In 1978, he joined Terra Nova, a band put together by former Manfred Mann's Earth Band members Chris Slade and Colin Pattenden; they released an album in 1980.[2] While in residency in a Sheffield nightclub, Cox began writing with longtime collaborator Richard Drummie, with whom he eventually signed a publishing deal.

In 1982, Cox and Drummie formed the band Go West, with Cox as lead singer and Drummie on guitar and backing vocals.[3][4] After Go West signed a deal with Chrysalis Records, "We Close Our Eyes" became a Top 5 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1985.[5] Other Go West singles released that year included "Call Me" (1985) and "Don't Look Down". The following year, Go West was named 'Best Newcomer' at the 1986 BRIT Awards.[6]

In 1987, the band reached the Top 40 in the U.S. with the single "Don't Look Down – The Sequel".[7] In 1990, Go West had a no. 8 hit in the U.S. with "King of Wishful Thinking" from the film Pretty Woman.[8] In 1992, the duo released the Indian Summer album, which included "Faithful"; the song reached the Top 20 in Canada and the United States.[9]

Solo career

Cox moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to pursue a solo career.[10] His debut album, Peter Cox, was released in 1997 to critical acclaim. 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.

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.[11]

Other albums by Cox include The S1 Sessions, Riding The Blinds, and Damn The Brakes.

Cox's voice has been described as "smooth as silk" with a "gritty underbelly".[12]

Discography

Solo albums
  • 1997: Peter Cox – Chrysalis Records UK No. 64
  • 2001: Flame Still Burns (EP) – Blueprint Records
  • 2002: Nine Miles High (EP) – Blueprint Records
  • 2004: Desert Blooms – Blueprint Records
  • 2004: Tony Hadley vs Peter Cox & Go West – Blueprint Records
  • 2005: Game For Fools (EP) – Blueprint Recording Corporation Ltd
  • 2006: Motor City Music – Curb Records
  • 2010: The S1 Sessions – Blueprint Recording Corporation Ltd
  • 2012: Riding The Blinds – Blueprint Recording Corporation Ltd
  • 2013: Damn the Brakes – Blueprint Recording Corporation Ltd

Solo singles
  • "Ain't Gonna Cry Again" (1997) – UK No. 37
  • "If You Walk Away" (1997) – UK No. 24
  • "What a Fool Believes" (1998) – UK No. 39[13]

References
  1. "Peter Cox | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic.
  2. "Terra Nova | Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  3. "Five of the best things to do in and around Luton and Dunstable in the next seven days". Dunstabletoday.co.uk.
  4. "INTERVIEW: Peter Cox". Ukmusicreviews.co.uk.
  5. "UK singles chartruns". Polyhex.com. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  6. "Brit Awards Show History – 1986". Brit Awards. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  7. "Go West". Billboard.
  8. "Story behind King of Wishful Thinking". NewsComAu. 31 October 2017.
  9. "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  10. "Peter Cox Biography – ARTISTdirect Music". Artistdirect.com. 17 November 1955. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  11. "Reborn contest dies quietly". BBC News. 27 April 2003. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  12. "CD review: Riding The Blinds by Peter Cox". Swindon Advertiser.
  13. 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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