Richard Butler (singer)
Richard Butler | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 5, 1956 Kingston upon Thames, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist, songwriter, painter |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Known for | Frontman of the Psychedelic Furs, Love Spit Love, solo artist |
Richard Lofthouse Butler (born 5 June 1956) is an English vocalist and songwriter, best recognized as the frontman of the rock group the Psychedelic Furs since the early 1980s. During the band's break in the early 1990s, he established the alternative rock ensemble Love Spit Love. Butler embarked on a solo journey in 2006, unveiling the eponymous album Richard Butler, while continuing his involvement with the Psychedelic Furs.
Early years
Butler was born in Kingston upon Thames, London. His father, George Butler, worked as a research chemist and held communist beliefs, while his mother was an artist. Initially, Butler pursued studies in art school and engaged in silk-screen printing before redirecting his focus toward music, which eventually led to forming his band.
Musical career
In 1977, Richard Butler and his brother Tim Butler, who played bass, created the Psychedelic Furs. The band quickly achieved commercial recognition with members including guitarist John Ashton, Roger Morris, drummer Vince Ely, and saxophonist Duncan Kilburn. Their early rehearsals took place at home before they expanded their presence.
After the Psychedelic Furs went on hiatus in the early 1990s, Butler formed and led Love Spit Love, whose music was featured in the syndicated TV series Charmed and the film The Craft. Their song "Am I Wrong" appeared in the 1995 movie Angus. The band disbanded by 2000.
The Psychedelic Furs reunited in 2001 and have toured internationally since then. In 2006, Butler released his solo album Richard Butler, co-produced with Jon Carin and dedicated to their deceased fathers. In 2014, he recorded a cover of Charles Aznavour's "She" for the teaser trailer of Gone Girl.
Butler collaborated with Martin Gore to co-write "Ghosts Again", which served as the lead single from Depeche Mode's 2023 album Memento Mori. He also contributed to three additional tracks on that album.
Personal life
Richard Butler has a daughter named Maggie Mozart Butler, born in September 1997. In September 2020, he wed model and actress Erika Anderson, known for her roles in A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child and Zandalee.
Art
Butler studied painting at Epsom School of Art and Design (currently University for the Creative Arts). Although he founded and fronted the British post-punk/new wave band The Psychedelic Furs in 1977, his artistic pursuits were limited during the 1980s and 1990s due to his music career. He resumed painting in the early 2000s and has exhibited works across the U.S. and Europe. Primarily identifying as a painter who also sings, Butler resides in Connecticut and has showcased solo exhibitions in New York City, Miami (Aliona Ortega Fine Art), and Florence, Italy. His artwork titled Girl with a Map was used as cover art for a CD.
Discography
Solo
- Richard Butler (2006)
The Psychedelic Furs
- The Psychedelic Furs (1980)
- Talk Talk Talk (1981)
- Forever Now (1982)
- Mirror Moves (1984)
- Midnight to Midnight (1987)
- Book of Days (1989)
- World Outside (1991)
- Made of Rain (2020)
Love Spit Love
- Love Spit Love (1994)
- Trysome Eatone (1997)