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Roxy Music

From Alfawiki
Roxy Music
Company typeRock band
IndustryMusic
Founded1970
FounderBryan Ferry, Graham Simpson
Headquarters
United Kingdom
ProductsMusic albums, singles, live performances

Roxy Music was an English rock ensemble established in 1970 by Bryan Ferry (lead vocalist, keyboardist, and chief songwriter) alongside bassist Graham Simpson. By the time their debut album was released in early 1972, Ferry and Simpson had been joined by Andy Mackay (saxophone and oboe), Phil Manzanera (guitar), Paul Thompson (drums), and Brian Eno (synthesizer). Simpson exited the group mid-1972, causing fluctuations in the bass position, while Eno was succeeded by Eddie Jobson (synthesizer, keyboards, violin) in 1973. By 1980, the core band consisted of Ferry, Mackay, and Manzanera, accompanied by various supporting musicians.

From their initial release onward, Roxy Music gained traction across Europe and Australia throughout the 1970s. They were pioneers in integrating refined aspects of glam rock, influenced the early British punk scene, and contributed to shaping numerous new wave performers while pushing boundaries in electronic music. Their image merged musical experimentation with stylish fashion, boosting their commercial success.

The group disbanded in 1976 but reunited in 1978 before splitting again in 1983. Their final studio project, Avalon (1982), earned Platinum status in the United States, where they initially held a niche following. In 2001, Ferry, Mackay, Manzanera, and Thompson regrouped for a concert tour and have continued touring sporadically since then, most recently in 2022 commemorating the 50th anniversary of their debut.

Outside of the band, Ferry and Eno developed significant solo careers. Ferry frequently enlisted fellow Roxy Music members as backing musicians, whereas Eno became a prominent British record producer. In 2019, Roxy Music was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Formation and early years (1970–1971)

In November 1970, Bryan Ferry—recently unemployed from his ceramics teaching position—placed an advertisement seeking a keyboard player to collaborate with bassist Graham Simpson, his former bandmate from Newcastle University. Andy Mackay responded; although primarily a saxophonist and oboist, he also possessed an EMS VCS 3 synthesizer.

Mackay introduced Brian Eno to the group—a non-traditional musician proficient with synthesizers and tape equipment—who initially joined as a technical advisor before becoming a full member. The original six-piece lineup featured guitarist Roger Bunn, recognized for his 1970 solo album Piece of Mind, alongside classically trained drummer Dexter Lloyd.

The name "Roxy Music" was derived from Ferry and Mackay’s compilation of vintage cinema names; "Roxy" was selected for its connotations of "faded glamour" and its memorable sound. Upon discovering an American band already using "Roxy," Ferry appended "Music," creating a clever pun on "rock music."

Around late 1970 or early 1971, Ferry auditioned for lead vocalist with King Crimson but was unsuccessful; nonetheless, Robert Fripp and Peter Sinfield assisted Roxy Music in securing a recording deal with E.G. Records.

Following a demo recording in 1971, Lloyd departed. An advertisement in Melody Maker seeking a "wonder drummer" led to Paul Thompson joining the band in June. By summer’s end, Bunn had left; guitarist David O'List responded to another Melody Maker advertisement and joined. Phil Manzanera auditioned but was initially hired as a roadie due to his promise.

By December 1971, after extensive songwriting and rehearsals, Roxy Music performed their first live show at the Friends of the Tate Gallery Christmas event in London.

The group’s visibility increased notably thanks to support from broadcaster John Peel and journalist Richard Williams, who penned the first major feature on them for Melody Maker in August 1971. This lineup—Ferry, Mackay, Eno, Simpson, Thompson, and O'List—soon recorded a session for the BBC.

Initial two studio records (1972–1973)

In February 1972, guitarist O'List departed from the group following a disagreement with Paul Thompson during an audition for E.G. Management. Phil Manzanera was initially recruited as a sound engineer but was soon appointed as O'List's permanent successor, officially joining on 14 February. Bringing a varied musical background and connections to artists such as David Gilmour and Robert Wyatt, Manzanera significantly bolstered the band's capabilities. Within two weeks, Roxy Music secured a contract with E.G. Management.

E.G. Management funded their first album, Roxy Music, which was recorded between March and April 1972 and produced by Peter Sinfield, known for his work as King Crimson's lyricist. The album, along with its iconic cover designed by Karl Stoecker, was finalized prior to signing with Island Records. Initially reluctant, Island’s Chris Blackwell was soon convinced to support the band after viewing the artwork, resulting in their signing. Released in June 1972, the album garnered positive critical reception and climbed to No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart by September. In 2024, Manzanera remarked that the group distributed only five percent of earnings among its six members.

Bassist Graham Simpson exited during early 1972 and officially left shortly after the debut album’s completion, prompting a series of bassist changes over the subsequent four years with multiple musicians rotating through the role.

To increase exposure for the album, Roxy Music issued their debut single "Virginia Plain," which reached No. 4 on the UK singles chart. Their unique visual presentation during appearances such as BBC's Top of the Pops played a significant role in defining the UK glam rock movement and revitalizing interest in their album.

Their sophomore release, For Your Pleasure, arrived in March 1973 and marked the beginning of a lasting partnership with producer Chris Thomas, who helped craft their signature 1970s sound. The album’s promotion included the non-album single "Pyjamarama." French model Amanda Lear notably graced the front cover, while Bryan Ferry appeared on the back cover depicted as a chauffeur standing behind a limousine.

Stranded, Country Life, Siren, and individual ventures (1973–1977)

Shortly after completing the For Your Pleasure tour, Brian Eno parted ways with Roxy Music due to creative disagreements with Ferry. He was succeeded by 18-year-old multi-instrumentalist Eddie Jobson, formerly of progressive rock band Curved Air, who contributed keyboards and electric violin. While some followers lamented Eno's experimental approach, Jobson introduced a more refined level of musicianship.

Rolling Stone characterized the subsequent two albums, Stranded (1973) and Country Life (1974), as representing British art rock at its zenith. These projects cemented Ferry’s image as a sophisticated yet world-weary European figure—a persona that elevated him from his working-class origins to global rock stardom and fashion icon status.

While Ferry was the sole composer for their initial two albums, beginning with Stranded, both Manzanera and Mackay increasingly contributed to songwriting and performance; nonetheless, Ferry maintained primary creative control, penning all but one single either entirely or in part. Released in November 1973, Stranded yielded the Top 10 hit "Street Life".

The fourth studio effort, Country Life, achieved No. 37 on the US Billboard 200, marking Roxy Music’s first entry into America’s Top 40 albums. It received widespread critical praise; Rolling Stone highlighted its cabaret-inspired ambiance filled with edgy sophistication. Roxy Music’s fifth album, Siren (1975), included their sole US Top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100, "Love Is the Drug". Jobson earned his only songwriting credit on this record with "She Sells," co-written alongside Ferry. The cover featured American model Jerry Hall, who later became Ferry’s fiancée before leaving him for Mick Jagger in 1977.

Following tours supporting Siren in 1976, Roxy Music dissolved temporarily. Their live album Viva! was released in August that year. Additionally, Manzanera reunited with Eno for the critically acclaimed one-off project 801 Live.

Final studio albums and hiatus (1978–1983)

In 1978, Roxy Music came back together to produce Manifesto with a revised lineup. Jobson was reportedly not involved, as he was occupied with his band U.K.. The central members Ferry, Mackay, Manzanera, and Thompson were joined by Paul Carrack on keyboards, while bass responsibilities were shared between Alan Spenner and Gary Tibbs. Tibbs and keyboardist Dave Skinner later participated in the tour supporting the album.

From Manifesto, three singles achieved UK chart success: "Angel Eyes" reached No. 4 and "Dance Away" climbed to No. 2. Both tracks were significantly altered from their album versions, with "Angel Eyes" adopting a disco-inspired arrangement.

Prior to recording Flesh + Blood in 1980, Thompson suffered a thumb injury and temporarily stepped away. Ferry, Mackay, and Manzanera completed the record with session drummers; Thompson briefly returned for early promotional activities but departed again due to creative disagreements. Subsequently, the band functioned mainly as a trio—Ferry, Mackay, and Manzanera—supplemented by session musicians including Spenner, Tibbs, Carrack, drummer Andy Newmark, and guitarist Neil Hubbard.

Flesh + Blood reached the top position on the UK Albums Chart and yielded three UK hit singles: "Oh Yeah" (No. 5), "Over You" (No. 5), and "Same Old Scene" (No. 12). The increased use of session players contributed to a smoother, more polished sound favored by Ferry but less embraced by other members. Critical responses were mixed; while Rolling Stone expressed reservations about both Manifesto and Flesh + Blood, publications such as Melody Maker celebrated the band’s successful comeback.

In 1981, Roxy Music released "Jealous Guy", a John Lennon cover issued as a tribute following his 1980 assassination. This single became their only UK No. 1 hit.

Their eighth and final studio effort, Avalon (1982), was recorded at Chris Blackwell's Compass Point Studios and marked a significant commercial triumph that restored widespread critical acclaim. Featuring popular tracks like "More Than This" and the title track "Avalon," the album topped the UK Albums Chart and earned Platinum status in both the US and Canada. It is frequently regarded as their most sophisticated release and was included among Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Albums of the 1980s."

To promote Avalon, Ferry, Mackay, and Manzanera toured extensively from August 1982 until May 1983. These performances were captured on live albums such as The High Road and later Heart Still Beating. After this tour concluded, Roxy Music disbanded, with Ferry, Mackay, and Manzanera focusing on solo projects for the next eighteen years.

Reunions (2001–2011, 2019, 2022)

In 2001, Ferry, Manzanera, Mackay, and Thompson regrouped to celebrate Roxy Music’s 30th anniversary with an extensive tour that included festivals in Portugal and a US leg. Brian Eno did not join this reunion; he initially criticized it but later clarified his comments. Both Manzanera and Thompson contributed to Ferry’s solo album Frantic (2002), which also featured Eno on one track.

Image Entertainment released the concert DVD Roxy Music Live at the Apollo in 2002, showcasing 20 songs along with interviews and rehearsal footage. In 2004, Rolling Stone placed Roxy Music at No. 98 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

The band appeared at the Isle of Wight Festival 2005 and participated in Berlin’s Live 8. That same year it was announced that Eno would collaborate on new Roxy Music material for the first time since 1973's For Your Pleasure. By May 2006, Eno confirmed his involvement on two tracks plus keyboard contributions but opted out of touring.

Early in 2006, "The Main Thing" was remixed for an Opel Vectra advertisement broadcast throughout Europe. That summer saw a European tour focusing on emerging markets such as Serbia and North Macedonia. Drummer Andy Newmark filled in due to Thompson’s health challenges; Oliver Thompson made his live debut on guitar.

By March 2007, Ferry revealed plans for a new Roxy Music album delayed by his solo work on Dylanesque. Although initially intended to include collaborations with Scissor Sisters under the Roxy banner, this material was ultimately released as Ferry’s solo album Olympia in 2010 featuring contributions from Eno, Manzanera, and Mackay.

During summer 2010, Roxy Music headlined international festivals such as Lovebox in London, Electric Picnic in Ireland, and Bestival on the Isle of Wight. Thompson missed several dates due to illness but returned for the Bestival appearance.

In early 2011, they toured the UK marking their 40th anniversary with the For Your Pleasure tour followed by performances in Australia and New Zealand. Virgin Records commemorated four decades since their debut by releasing Roxy Music: The Complete Studio Recordings 1972–1982 in 2012.

By late 2014, Manzanera stated that Roxy Music had been inactive since 2011 without plans to resume; unfinished album sessions remained shelved over concerns about their quality.

On March 29, 2019, Roxy Music was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, performing six songs at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center with Ferry, Mackay, Manzanera, and Eddie Jobson.

In 2022, the band reassembled for a UK and US tour celebrating their 50th anniversary. Most North American shows featured support from St. Vincent, while UK dates included opening acts by Nilüfer Yanya.

Style

Roxy Music's sound has been linked to a diverse array of genres, including art rock, glam rock, pop rock, progressive rock, art pop, new wave, soft rock, synth-pop, and sophisti-pop. The band's initial artistic direction was heavily influenced by the art school education of key members Ferry, Mackay, and Eno, who attended leading UK art colleges in the 1960s. These institutions promoted contemporary movements such as pop art and explored ideas like cybernetics. According to Michael Bracewell’s Roxy: The Band that Invented an Era, the group was created to fuse passions for music, contemporary art, and fashion.

Bryan Ferry studied under the pop artist Richard Hamilton at Newcastle University, where he connected with fellow emerging artists. Eno’s time at Winchester School of Art fostered his experimental approach, which led to collaborations with avant-garde musicians including Andy Mackay from University of Reading. The three converged in London around 1970–71 to establish Roxy Music.

Their musical inspirations ranged from the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Rolling Stones to artists like David Bowie, Elton John, and Pink Floyd, as well as American rock and Motown influences. Ferry emphasized that the band’s distinctive sound resulted from combining his diverse influences, Mackay’s classical training, Eno’s experimental tendencies, and Thompson’s dynamic drumming.

Roxy Music was a pioneer in crafting a meticulously designed image that extended beyond music into stagecraft, music videos, album artwork, and promotional visuals. This aesthetic was developed with contributions from fashion designer Antony Price, hairstylist Keith Mainwaring, photographer Karl Stoecker, PR expert Simon Puxley, and Ferry’s college peer Nicholas de Ville. Critic Lester Bangs famously described them as "the triumph of artifice." Ferry drew creative inspiration from American pop culture icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Motown performers, aiming to offer an alternative to conventional rock promotional imagery.

Their debut record, produced by King Crimson’s Pete Sinfield, showcased sophisticated cover design directed by Ferry and Nick De Ville. The visuals referenced classic "girlie" and fashion periodicals, featuring models Amanda Lear, Marilyn Cole, Jerry Hall (all romantically linked to Ferry), and Kari-Ann Moller. The fourth album, Country Life, spoofed the British countryside magazine Country Life with a provocative cover displaying two semi-transparent lingerie-clad models. Due to its controversial nature, this album was often sold in the US with opaque plastic sleeves or an alternative forest-themed cover.

Legacy and influence

In 2005, The Guardian journalist Tim de Lisle ranked Roxy Music as the second most influential British band after the Beatles, praising their unique fusion of futurism, retro rock'n'roll sensibilities, and artistic innovation that left a lasting mark despite varying commercial success. By 2019, The Economist hailed them as "the best British art-rock band since the Beatles," noting that only David Bowie—who himself lauded Bryan Ferry and the group—surpassed their influence.

The band’s sonic and visual innovations had a profound impact on genres such as electronic music, punk rock, disco, new wave, and new romantic. They were instrumental in shaping future acts like Duran Duran, Simple Minds, The Human League, and ABC, all of whom acknowledged Roxy Music’s significant role in their development. Their influence also extended to early 1980s British new romantic groups including Ultravox, Visage, and Spandau Ballet, alongside new wave art rock bands such as Magazine and American outfits like Devo and Talking Heads.

Numerous artists have credited Roxy Music as an influence, including Madness, who honored Bryan Ferry in their track "4BF," as well as bands like Echo & the Bunnymen,Melvins, Wire, Parquet Courts, and Crime. Other notable musicians shaped by their legacy include Nile Rodgers, Siouxsie and the Banshees, U2, the Smiths, Radiohead, Scissor Sisters, Imogen Heap, Goldfrapp, Pulp, Sex Pistols, Todd Terje, and Franz Ferdinand.

In 1997, Duran Duran bassist John Taylor produced the tribute compilation Dream Home Heartaches... Remaking/Remodeling Roxy Music, featuring contributions from Taylor himself alongside Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and Low Pop Suicide.

Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols named his first band the Strand after Roxy Music's song "Do the Strand" and cited their debut album as a key influence on punk rock. The electronic group Ladytron took their name from a track on Roxy Music’s initial album. Additionally, British pop trio Bananarama derived part of their name from the song "Pyjamarama."

Influence on culture and fashion

Roxy Music's emphasis on elegance, style, and theatricality played a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of pop culture throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Bryan Ferry, the charismatic lead vocalist, along with the band's trendsetting album artwork—frequently showcasing striking models—left a lasting mark on the glam rock and New Romantic scenes. The band's distinctive appearance was largely crafted with the assistance of fashion designer Antony Price, who was instrumental in creating their signature image. Their visually curated presentation inspired prominent designers such as Hedi Slimane and Raf Simons, while also setting a precedent for the integration of fashion and music collaborations that later became widespread through artists like Madonna and Lady Gaga.

Members

Current lineup

  • Bryan Ferry – lead vocals, keyboards, piano, harmonica, occasional rhythm guitar (1970–1976, 1978–1983, 2001–2011, 2022)
  • Andy Mackay – saxophone, oboe, keyboards, backing vocals (1970–1976, 1978–1983, 2001–2011, 2022)
  • Paul Thompson – drums (1971–1976, 1978–1979, 1980, 2001–2011, 2022)
  • Phil Manzanera – lead guitar, occasional backing vocals and bass (1972–1976, 1978–1983, 2001–2011, 2022)

Former members

  • Brian Eno – synthesizers, backing vocals (1970–1973)
  • Graham Simpson – bass (1970–1972; died 2012)
  • Roger Bunn – guitar (1970–1971)
  • Dexter Lloyd – drums (1970–1971)
  • David O'List – guitar (1971–1972)
  • Eddie Jobson – synthesizers, keyboards, violin (1973–1976)

Discography

Studio albums

References

Bibliography

  • Bracewell, Michael (2007). Roxy Music: Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno, Art, Ideas, and Fashion. Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-306-81400-6.
  • Buckley, David (2004). The Thrill of It All: The Story of Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music. André Deutsch. ISBN 0-233-05113-9.
  • Rigby, Jonathan (2008; orig. 2005). Roxy Music: Both Ends Burning. Revised edition. Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN 978-1-903111-80-2.
  • Stump, Paul (1998). Unknown Pleasures: A Cultural Biography of Roxy Music. Quartet Books. ISBN 0-7043-8074-9.

External links

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