Black Lace
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Colin Routh (Colin Gibb), Alan Barton, Steve Scholey, Terry Dobson |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Black Lace is a British pop group recognized for their novelty party anthems such as "Agadoo," "Superman," and "Do the Conga." They rose to fame after representing the United Kingdom in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest with the track "Mary Ann." The founding members were Colin Routh (later known as Colin Gibb), Alan Barton, Steve Scholey, and Terry Dobson. As of 2023, the lineup includes Phil Temple alongside Craig Harper, a contestant from Britain's Got Talent.
Origins Before Black Lace (1969–1973)
In 1969, Terry Dobson and Ian Howarth established a band called the Impact, which featured Alan Barton, Steve Scholey, and Nigel Scott. This group also performed under the names Penny Arcade and Love or Confusion. Following several lineup changes by 1973—including Dobson’s temporary departure and Scott’s exit—the band adopted the name Black Lace.
Early Years of Black Lace (1973–1981)
Colin Routh replaced Ian Howarth in 1976. Under the management of Keith Mills, Black Lace toured widely throughout the UK, playing summer engagements at venues such as Skegness Central Pier Bier and Butlins holiday camps in Filey and Skegness. They produced an EP with comedian Freddie Davies as producer, which was sold during their performances. The band earned honors like Yorkshire Band of the Year from BBC Radio Leeds and Best Clubland Group at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Their debut single "Mary Ann" was released in 1979 through ATV Music and later EMI. Alan Barton provided lead vocals on studio recordings, while Steve Scholey handled lead vocals during live shows. After winning BBC Television's A Song For Europe, they secured their place at Eurovision, finishing in seventh position. The single reached number 42 on the UK Singles Chart. Their television appearances included shows such as Nationwide, Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Top of the Pops, and Juke Box Jury.
The follow-up single, "So Long Suzy Baby," did not chart in the UK due to delays by EMI but achieved popularity across Europe. Black Lace expanded their reach through live performances and TV spots in countries including Poland, Bulgaria, East and West Germany, and Spain. In 1980, they supported Suzi Quatro on a Danish tour and collaborated with Danish entertainer Tommy Seebach on "Hey Hey Jock McRay," tailored for the Danish audience. A planned tour in Poland was canceled due to political instability.
Peak Chart Performance (1981–1987)
The band disbanded in 1981; Dobson joined Castleford rock outfit Stormer, while Scholey exited the music scene.
Routh and Barton continued as a duo after incurring heavy debts from touring; initially performing under the name Lace before reverting to Black Lace with new manager John Wagstaff. They performed across Northern clubs utilizing pre-recorded backing tracks—a practice that was somewhat contentious at the time. In 1981, they released an instrumental single inspired by the "Chicken Dance," titled "Birds Dance" under the pseudonym Buzby. However, it was eclipsed by The Tweets' version called "The Birdie Song." Later releases retitled "Birds Dance" as "The Birdie Song" on Black Lace albums.
Their 1983 release "Superman," issued through Flair Records, climbed to number 9 on the UK charts and earned a silver certification for sales. The promotional video featured Jane McDonald before she became widely known. Although BBC Radio One selected their next single "Hey You!" as Record of the Week, it did not enter the charts. The band toured Denmark alongside local acts Laban and Snapshots.
Black Lace's most significant commercial success arrived in 1984 with "Agadoo," which sold over one million copies globally and peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. The song enjoyed widespread popularity throughout Europe, South Africa, and Australia. After receiving a UK gold certification, presenter Richard Whiteley mistakenly dubbed Colin Routh "Mr Agadoo," a nickname later associated with Dene Michael despite his lack of involvement with that recording. Their debut album, Black Lace, was recorded in Denmark; however, financial difficulties arose when their distributor Pinnacle Entertainment entered receivership, resulting in an estimated £250,000 loss in unpaid royalties from "Agadoo."
The subsequent single "Do The Conga" reached number 10 in the UK charts while their album Party Party – 16 Great Party Icebreakers sold over 650,000 copies within five weeks, achieving double platinum status. This success led to television appearances across Germany, Luxembourg, France, and Denmark.
In 1985, their single "El Vino Collapso" stalled at number 42 after being banned by the BBC due to its references to drinking abroad following the Heysel Stadium disaster. Later singles "I Speaka Da Lingo" and "Hokey Cokey" reached numbers 49 and 31 respectively.
Black Lace took part in recording the UK number one charity single "You'll Never Walk Alone" with The Crowd to aid victims of the Bradford City stadium fire.
Their second album Party Party 2 was released towards the end of 1985 accompanied by numerous TV appearances including The Old Grey Whistle Test and a Top of the Pops Christmas Special. The demanding schedule led Barton and Routh to use private flights but also resulted in a tax liability exceeding £100,000.
In 1986, Routh withdrew from performing following legal issues related to an underage relationship; he was succeeded by Dene Michael Betteridge (also known as Michael Dene). The single "Wig Wam Bam," featuring Barton, Routh, and Betteridge together, peaked at number 63 on UK charts. However, their World Cup-themed release "Viva La Mexico" failed commercially after England's early elimination.
During this period, Black Lace (Barton and Betteridge) appeared in the film Rita, Sue and Bob Too, performing "Gang Bang," a track previously recorded by Barton and Routh. They were also parodied on Spitting Image and mentioned in "The Chicken Song." Their album Party Crazy charted in the UK during this timeframe.
Later career (1987–2023)
In September 1987, Colin Gibb returned to the band full-time under the name Colin Gibb, while Alan Barton left to join Smokie. Dene Michael Betteridge stayed on, and together with Gibb, they released "Jammin' the Sixties" under the name Barracuda. Although BBC Radio One selected it as Record of the Week, the single failed to enter the charts.
During the summers of 1989 and 1990, Black Lace performed seasonal shows at the Blackpool Tower, including appearances at the BBC Radio One Roadshow. They also released "I Am The Music Man," which reached number 52 on the UK charts. In 1991, Rob Hopcraft replaced Betteridge in the lineup.
Tragically, Alan Barton died in a coach accident in 1995 while touring with Smokie. The following year, Black Lace conducted one-off performances in Canada and Atlantic City, New Jersey, alongside releasing two albums: Action Party and Best Of. For the band's 20th anniversary, Gibb was presented with a special Agadoo guitar but subsequently faced bankruptcy proceedings from the Inland Revenue.
On 15 August 1997, known as Agadoo Day, Black Lace undertook an ambitious schedule of 20 performances within 24 hours across various UK cities, raising over £25,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. The song "Agadoo" was featured in a Peugeot advertisement promoting the new 106 model; Black Lace re-recorded it as "Agadoo 106 mix," with all royalties donated to Marie Curie. This version briefly entered the music charts.
In 2001, Camille Wagstaff, daughter of manager John Wagstaff, replaced Hopcraft. This formation released a cover of The Soca Boys' "Follow the Leader," which later achieved Top 10 success as a remix by Nigel & Marvin.
By 2002, Colin Gibb disbanded official Black Lace to establish "The Original Black Lace," performing internationally on Tenerife’s hotel party circuit and occasionally within the UK. Flair Records developed a reality television series titled Agadoo: The Search for the New Black Lace, aired on ITV Yorkshire and judged by Gibb and Wagstaff; winners produced a rendition of Kool and the Gang's "Celebration."
In 2009, Black Lace reassembled as a duo featuring Betteridge and Ian Robinson. In 2015, they appeared in a Walkers crisps commercial alongside Gary Lineker performing "Agadoo." Betteridge also participated in BBC One's The Voice UK, sharing the stage with prominent artists. Meanwhile, Gibb continued touring with Original Black Lace in Tenerife alongside Scottish vocalist Gordon King.
In 2016, Dene Michael Betteridge received a six-month prison sentence for benefit fraud involving claims totaling nearly £25,000; his wife was given a community order.
By 2018, Betteridge resumed performing as part of Party Crazy with a Kylie Minogue tribute act and promoted himself as "Mr Agadoo," despite not having performed on the original recording. He eventually rejoined the officially managed Wagstaff version of Black Lace.
In 2019, Gibb’s Original Black Lace based in Tenerife became linked with UK dressage team The Agadoo Girls, led by his cousin Debbie Cox; they secured victory in their inaugural Team Quest event at Richmond Equestrian Centre.
Colin Gibb's retirement and death
On 13 May 2024, Colin Gibb announced via Facebook his retirement from performing, with his final show scheduled at San Eugenio Villa Adeje Beach Hotel in Spain on 16 May. On 3 June 2024, both the band and Gibb’s wife confirmed his passing at age 70 had occurred the day before.
Recent activities (2024–present)
By 2025, the officially recognized lineup of Black Lace under Flair Entertainments/N.O.W. Music Co. features Phil Temple alongside Craig Harper, a singer and comedian who gained recognition through appearances on Britain's Got Talent, Michael Barrymore's television programme, and Jane McDonald's Star for a Night.
On 8 September 2024, the pair made a special guest appearance at Radio 2 in the Park held in Preston, participating in Paddy McGuinness' Sunday School Disco. Later that November, they delivered a rendition of "Agadoo" together with Paddy McGuinness and Sir Chris Hoy on BBC One’s Children in Need special titled Paddy: The Ride of My Life, which was recorded at Cairn Lodge Services in Westmorland.
In November 2025, Kim Hopkins unveiled the documentary Still Pushing Pineapples, chronicling former member Dene Michael as he performed Black Lace classics from Blackpool to Benidorm. The film earned a three-star rating from Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian, who remarked on its "melancholy reminiscent of images Martin Parr might have captured".
Personnel
- Craig Harper – lead vocals (2018–present)
- Phil Temple – lead vocals (2023–present)
- Past members
- Alan Barton – guitar, lead and backing vocals (1973–1987; deceased 1995)
- Terry Dobson – drums, backing vocals (1973–1981)
- Steve Scholey – lead vocals, bass guitar (1973–1981)
- Ian Howarth – lead guitar, bass guitar, vocals (1973–1976)
- Colin Gibb (formerly Colin Routh until 1987) – guitar, lead vocals (1976–1986, 1987–2002; "The Original Black Lace" Tenerife band 2002–2024; deceased 2024)
- Dene Michael Betteridge – vocals (1986–1991, 2009–2023)
- Rob Hopcraft – lead vocals (1991–2001; deceased 2020)
- Camille Wagstaff – vocals (2001–2002)
- Ian Robinson – vocals (2009–2018)
- Gordon King (birth name Gordon Quinn) – lead vocals, guitar ("The Original Black Lace" Tenerife band 2015–2024)
Albums
- 1984: Black Lace
- 1984: Party Party – 16 Great Party Icebreakers (UK chart peak No. 4)
- 1985: Party Party 2 (UK chart peak No. 18)
- 1986: Party Crazy (UK chart peak No. 58)
- 1987: 16 Greatest Party Hits
- 1989: 20 All Time Party Favourites
- 1993: Action Party
- 1995: Saturday Night
- 1997: Greatest Hits
- 1998: What a Party
- 2000: Black Lace's Greatest Ever Party Album
- 2006: Black Lace: Greatest Hits
- 2010: The Blue Album – banned within the UK [distributed worldwide]
- 2013: Reissued version of The Blue Album – banned in the UK [distributed worldwide]
- 2014: Limited edition Black Lace 'Live Beach Party'
- 2023: The Party Album (24 All Time Party Favourites)
Singles
| Year | Single | Highest chart positions | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | FRA | IRE | NZ | SA | UK | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1979 | "Mary Ann" | — | — | 19 | — | — | 42 | ||||||||||||||||
| "So Long Suzi Baby" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 1980 | "Hey Hey Jock McRay" (released only in Denmark) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1982 | "Birds Dance" (also known as "The Birdie Song") (credited as 'Buzby') | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1983 | "Superman (Gioca Jouer)" | — | — | 25 | — | — | 9 | ||||||||||||||||
| "Hey You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 1984 | "Agadoo" | 16 | 48 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| "Do the Conga" | — | — | 12 | — | — | 10 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1985 | "El Vino Collapso" | — | — | — | — | — | 42 | ||||||||||||||||
| "I Speaka da Lingo" | — | — | — | — | — | 49 | |||||||||||||||||
| "Hokey Cokey" | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | |||||||||||||||||
| "Viva la Mexico" | — | — | — | — | — | - | |||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | — | — | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| "I Am the Music Man" | — | — | — | — | — | - | |||||||||||||||||
| "Gang Bang" | — | — | — | — | — | 90 | |||||||||||||||||
| "Jammin' the 60's" (as 'Barracuda') | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Penny Arcade" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Bullsh*t (Cotton-Eyed Joe)" | — | — | — | — | — | 83 | |||||||||||||||||
| "(The Electric Slide)"
(featuring The Electric Boogie Line Dance) |
— | — | — | — | — | 83 | |||||||||||||||||
| "Macarena" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Agadoo (106 Dance Mix)" (re-recorded version) | — | — | — | — | — | 64 | |||||||||||||||||
| "Follow the Leader" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Mega-Mega Mix" (Spain exclusive release) | — | — | — | — | — | - | "Agadoo Mambo" (Dene Michael) | — | — | — | — | — | - | "Music Man 2009" (Dene Michael) | — | — | — | — | — | - | |||
| "We Are the England Fans" (Dene Michael) | — | — | — | — | — | - | |||||||||||||||||
| "Do the Conga (Trainline Mix)" (Dene Michael) | — | — | — | — | — | - | |||||||||||||||||
| "Agadoo 2015 (Crisp Mix)" (Dene Michael) | — | — | — | — | — | - | "Agadoo (The Space Mix)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||