Very few bands earn the respect of the critics and public alike, and
even fewer establish themselves quite as professionally as 10 C.C. They
were experienced musicians, songwriters and producers even before they
joined up. During their career they have justified their reputation as
classy purveyors of the three and a half minute pop single and classic albums.
When they came together, the original line-up was: Lol Creme (born Sept.
1947), Kevin Godley (born Oct. 1945), Eric Stewart (born Jan. 1945) and Graham
Gouldman (born May 1946). Gouldman had been a very successful songwriter in
the 60's with the Mindbenders ("Groovy Kind of Love") and had also written
major hits like the Yardbirds "For Your Love" - the Hollies "Bus Stop" and
"No Milk Today" for Hermans Hermits. Stewart had been busy building a studio
in Stockport, Lancashire in North England called Strawberry. He invited two
art school friends to a session. That pair were Godley and Creme. Here they
made a simple pop song called "Neanderthal Man" under the group name Hotlegs.
It became a major hit. On a British tour supporting the Moody Blues, Graham
Gouldman returned from working in the US to join the group. After a flop album,
Hotlegs disbanded. The quartet however worked at Strawberry on various projects
including a comeback album for Neil Sedaka in 1973. They were influenced to
write a 50's style song of their own called "Donna". They took the song to pop
entrepreneur Jonathan King, who on hearing it, signed the group and named them
10 C.C. after the average male ejaculation. The song became a major hit and set
them on the path of success. Each new track was treated with high-tech production,
featuring orchestral effects, a variety of vocal textures and clever parody style lyrics.
During the next three years 10 C.C. became a huge world-wide act with hit
singles and albums much against the music of the day. However, by 1976 trouble
brewed with the departure of Godley and Creme. They wanted to develop the
production side of things and develop a new instrument they had invented called a
Gizmo. They went on to a successful career making pop videos. Their departure
however, seemed to make little difference. Stewart and Gouldman with session
players returned with hits "Good Morning Judge" and a No. 1 "Dreadlock Holiday",
followed by a massive world tour.
In 1979 Stewart was involved in a serious motor accident and the band briefly
disbanded until 1981. By 1983 they became a six piece with members Paul Burgess,
Rick Fenn, Vic Emerson and Stuart Tosh. They soon hit the charts again with tracks
like "Feel the Love" again using reggae influences. Their career is based on their
skill as performers, writers, producers, which as can be heard from this collection
of remarkable music.
