Q-Feel
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Albums, singles |
Q-Feel was a synthpop ensemble from the United Kingdom that launched their eponymous album in 1982. This release included their only commercially successful track, "Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)". The song took part in the 1982 A Song for Europe, the UK's selection event for the Eurovision Song Contest, where it placed sixth, trailing behind the winners Bardo. The group is widely recognized as a one-hit wonder.
In popular culture
The song "Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)" was featured in the 1985 dance movie Girls Just Want to Have Fun and also appeared during the opening sequence of the 2007 retro-themed comedy Kickin' It Old Skool. Its presence in Girls Just Want to Have Fun significantly increased its visibility, especially in Los Angeles, where Top 40 radio station 102.7 KIIS-FM heavily rotated the track, making it one of their most frequently broadcast songs during the film’s release timeframe.
After break-up
Following the group's dissolution, lead vocalist Martin Page found considerable acclaim as both a songwriter and solo performer. He co-authored several notable 1980s hits such as "We Built This City" performed by Starship and "These Dreams" by Heart. His collaborations extended to prominent artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, Kim Carnes, Lee Ritenour, and Neil Diamond. Page often partnered with fellow Q-Feel member Brian Fairweather in songwriting and live performances. In 1995, Page enjoyed a significant solo breakthrough in the United States with "In The House of Stone and Light," which was also the title track of his 1994 debut solo album featuring contributions from Fairweather and former bandmate Trevor Thornton.
Keyboardist Chris Richardson, after Q-Feel ended, dedicated himself to directing church choirs in London, choosing not to pursue commercial music opportunities despite receiving offers. Richardson passed away in March 2019.
Personnel
- Martin Page – bass guitar, lead vocals
- Brian Fairweather – guitar, backing vocals
- Trevor Thornton – drums
- Chris Richardson – keyboards, backing vocals
Studio personnel
- Nigel Green – recording engineer
- Mike Shipley – recording engineer
- Peter Harris – drum programming
- Matt Wallis – assistant engineer
- John Kongos – Fairlight CMI synthesizer programming
Albums
- Q-Feel (1982), Jive Records
Singles
- "Doctor on the Radio" (1981)
- "Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)" (1982)
- "Crosstalk" (1982) (promotional release only)
- "Heroes Never Die" (1984)
- "Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)" (1989) (reissued)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | "Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)" | US Club Play Singles | 18 |
| U.S. Bubbling Under Hot 100 | 10 | ||
| 1989 | U.S. Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | 44 | |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 75 |