London Boys
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| London Boys | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Genres | Soul-dance Eurobeat Dance-pop |
| Years active | 1986–1992 1995 |
| Labels | Warner Elektra Atlantic |
| Members | |
| Edem Ephraim Dennis Fuller |
|
London Boys were a German based, British dance pop duo composed of Edem Ephraim (1 July 1959, London – 21 January 1996, Austria) and Dennis Fuller (19 June 1959, Jamaica – 21 January 1996, Austria), both of whom were killed in an Alpine car accident in Austria on 21 January 1996.[1]
Although they lived near Hamburg, Germany since 1981, they had actually met when they were at school in Greenwich, London. They were formed in 1986 as a vehicle for songwriter and record producer Ralf-René Maué. Their musical style was a mix of soul and dance music or eurobeat dance music. Spinning on their heads, combined with choreography acquired during their experience as Rollerblade dancers prior to forming London Boys. Consequently their early releases were marketed towards the Eurodisco scene.[citation needed] Dennis Fuller was a former member of the Roxy Rollers rollerskating disco act, who released a single called "I Need A Holiday" in May 1979.
The most notable songs of the group were "London Nights" and "Requiem", which were initially released in 1988. The record "Requiem" eventually became their breakthrough single in April 1989, and reached No.4 on the UK Singles Chart. Subsequently, the re-released "London Nights" and the album The Twelve Commandments Of Dance, both peaked at No.2 in the UK singles and album charts, respectively. Another single, "Harlem Desire", reached No.17. A fourth single from the album, a remixed version of their 1987 release "My Love", also reached No. 46. After that their last two UK Singles Chart entries were with "Chapel of Love" (#75) in 1990 and "Freedom" (#54) in 1991. The music videos for their singles were largely based around dance sequences and relationship/love storylines.
The Twelve Commandments Of Dance is considered the best and most collectable of their album releases; their later recordings had little commercial success (no further UK chart entries). However, in total, the London Boys sold 4.5 million records worldwide.[citation needed]
After being dropped by their record label the band effectively split up. In 1995, shortly before their deaths, a reformed version of the group made a crossover album called Hallelujah Hits which incorporated Eurodance arrangements into traditional religious compositions.[citation needed]
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[edit] Death
Edem and Dennis both died in a car accident on 21 January 1996. They travelled in Austrian Alps on a mountain road on their way to a skiing holiday and along the route met a car driven by an inebriated driver who was trying to pass at the opposite side of the road. Apparently, the Swiss driver had kept overtaking other cars in dangerous places on that road beforehand and in bad weather conditions for a couple of miles until he finally hit their car head-on. Fuller, Ephraim, Edem's German wife Bettina, their mutual friend - a Hamburg DJ - and the Swiss driver all died. Edem and his wife left behind a son, Stevie, who was 3 years old at the time of the tragedy. Dennis had a daughter, Laura, who was 10.[2]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- The Twelve Commandments of Dance (1988/89) [#2 UK]
- Sweet Soul Music (1991) [#22 Austria]
- Chapel of Love (1991)
- Love 4 Unity (1993)
- Hallelujah Hits (1995) as "New London Boys"
- The Twelve Commandments of Dance [Special Edition] (2009)
[edit] Singles
- 1986 - "I'm Gonna Give My Heart"
- 1986 - "I'm Gonna Give My Heart" (Remix)
- 1987 - "Dance Dance Dance"
- 1987 - "Harlem Desire"
- 1987 - "My Love"
- 1987 - "Supermix"
- 1988 - "Requiem" [#4 UK, #11 Austria]
- 1989 - "Harlem Desire '89" [#17 UK]
- 1989 - "London Nights" [#2 UK, #9 Switzerland]
- 1989 - "Megamix"
- 1989 - "My Love '89" [#46 UK]
- 1990 - "Chapel of Love" [#75 UK]
- 1990 - "Freedom" [#54 UK, #29 Switzerland]
- 1991 - "Sweet Soul Music" (feat. Soul Kitchen) [#11 Austria]
- 1991 - "Is This Love?"
- 1991 - "Tonight! Tonight!"
- 1992 - "Moonraker"
- 1993 - "Baby, Come Back" [#27 Austria]
- 1995 - "Gospel Train to London"
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Verzeanu, Milena "a.k.a The New London Boys" website accessed 2007-06-21
- ^ Verzeanu, Milena "a.k.a The New London Boys" website accessed 2007-06-21
