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'''London Boys''' were a British [[dance-pop]] [[Musical duo|duo]] based in Germany whose members were Edem Ephraim (1 July 1959, London, UK – 21 January 1996) and Dennis Fuller (19 June 1959, Jamaica – 21 January 1996). They are best remembered for the UK top 5 hits "[[Requiem (London Boys song)|Requiem]]" and "[[London Nights]]".
'''London Boys''' were a British [[dance-pop]] [[Musical duo|duo]] based in Germany whose members were Edem Ephraim (1 July 1959, London, UK – 21 January 1996) and Dennis Fuller (19 June 1959, Jamaica – 21 January 1996). They are best remembered for the UK top 5 hits "[[Requiem (London Boys song)|Requiem]]" and "[[London Nights]]".


The duo were killed when their car was hit by a drunk driver in the [[Eastern Alps]], Austria, on 21 January 1996. Ephraim's wife also died in the accident, leaving their three-year-old son orphaned and leaving Fuller's 10-year-old daughter without a father.<ref name="a.k.a The New London Boys website">Verzeanu, Milena [http://members.dslextreme.com/users/mrv/london_boys/bio.htm "a.k.a The New London Boys" website]. Retrieved 21 June 2007</ref>
The duo were killed when their car was hit by a drunk driver in the [[Eastern Alps]], Austria, on 21 January 1996. Ephraim's wife also died in the accident, leaving their three-year-old son orphaned and leaving Fuller's 10-year-old daughter without a father.<ref name="a.k.a The New London Boys website">{{cite web|last=Verzeanu|first=Milena|url=http://members.dslextreme.com/users/mrv/london_boys/bio.htm|title=Biography|accessdate=21 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504025300/http://members.dslextreme.com/users/mrv/london_boys/bio.htm|archive-date=4 May 2006}}</ref>


==Musical career==
==Musical career==
Although they had lived near [[Glinde (Stormarn)|Hamburg]], Germany, since 1981, the pair had actually met when they were at school in Greenwich, London, Ephraim having been born in London and Fuller in Jamaica. They were formed in 1986 as a vehicle for songwriter and record producer Ralf-René Maué. They signed with [[Teldec]]. Their musical style was a mix of [[Soul music|soul]] and [[electronic dance music|dance music]] or [[Eurobeat]] dance music. Spinning on their heads was combined with choreography, acquired during their experience as [[rollerblade]] dancers prior to forming the duo. Dennis Fuller was a former member of the Roxy Roller rollerskating disco act, which released a single called "I Need a Holiday" in May 1979.
Although they had lived near [[Glinde (Stormarn)|Hamburg]], Germany, since 1981, the pair had actually met when they were at school in Greenwich, London, Ephraim having been born in London and Fuller in Jamaica. They were formed in 1986 as a vehicle for songwriter and record producer Ralf-René Maué. They signed with [[Teldec]]. Their musical style was a mix of [[Soul music|soul]] and [[electronic dance music|dance music]] or [[Eurobeat]] dance music. Spinning on their heads was combined with choreography, acquired during their experience as [[rollerblade]] dancers prior to forming the duo. Dennis Fuller was a former member of the Roxy Roller rollerskating disco act, which released a single called "I Need a Holiday" in May 1979.
The duo's most notable songs were "[[London Nights (song)|London Nights]]" and "[[Requiem (London Boys song)|Requiem]]", which were initially released in 1988. "Requiem" eventually became their breakthrough single in April 1989, reaching 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 on the UK singles and [[UK Albums Chart|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", reached No. 46. After that, their last two UK Singles Chart entries were with "[[Chapel of Love (London Boys song)|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 duo's most notable songs were "[[London Nights (song)|London Nights]]" and "[[Requiem (London Boys song)|Requiem]]", which were initially released in 1988. "Requiem" eventually became their breakthrough single in April 1989, reaching No. 4 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="UK"/> Subsequently, the re-released "London Nights" and the album ''The Twelve Commandments of Dance'', both peaked at No. 2 on the UK singles and [[UK Albums Chart|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", reached No. 46. After that, their last two UK Singles Chart entries were with "[[Chapel of Love (London Boys song)|Chapel of Love]]" (#75) in 1990 and "Freedom" (#54) in 1991.<ref name="UK"/> The music videos for their singles were largely based around dance sequences and relationship/love storylines.


After this, their later recordings had little commercial success, with no further UK chart entries. However, in total, the London Boys sold 4.5&nbsp;million records worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talkaboutpopmusic.com/2019/04/21/where-are-they-now-the-london-boys/|title=WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The London Boys|last=Carter|first=Spencer|date=2019-04-21|website=Talk About Pop Music|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref>
After this, their later recordings had little commercial success, with no further UK chart entries. However, in total, the London Boys sold 4.5&nbsp;million records worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talkaboutpopmusic.com/2019/04/21/where-are-they-now-the-london-boys/|title=WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The London Boys|last=Carter|first=Spencer|date=2019-04-21|website=Talk About Pop Music|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref>


After being dropped by their record label, the band effectively split up. In 1995, shortly before their deaths, a reformed version of the group, through [[Polydor]], made a crossover album called ''Hallelujah Hits'', which incorporated Eurodance arrangements into traditional religious compositions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/New-London-Boys-The-Hallelujah-Hits/release/1234875 |title=New London Boys, The* – Hallelujah Hits (CD, Album) at Discogs |publisher=discogs |accessdate=14 April 2012}}</ref>
After being dropped by their record label, the band effectively split up. In 1995, shortly before their deaths, a reformed version of the group, through [[Polydor]], made a crossover album called ''Hallelujah Hits'', which incorporated Eurodance arrangements into traditional religious compositions.


==Death==
==Death==
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! colspan="6"| Peak positions
! colspan="6"| Peak positions
! rowspan="2"| Album
! rowspan="2"| Album
|-
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="35"| <small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/london%20boys/|title=Official Charts Company: London Boys |publisher=Official Charts Company |accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref name="UK">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25201/london-boys/|title=Official Charts Company: London Boys |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[Irish Singles Chart|IRE]]</small>
! width="35"| <small>[[Irish Singles Chart|IRE]]</small>
! width="35"| <small>[[Ultratop|BEL<br>(FLA)]]</small>
! width="35"| <small>[[Ultratop|BEL<br>(FLA)]]</small>
Line 61: Line 61:
| rowspan="1"|1986
| rowspan="1"|1986
! scope="row"| "I'm Gonna Give My Heart"
! scope="row"| "I'm Gonna Give My Heart"
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
| align="left" rowspan="4" |''The Twelve Commandments of Dance''
| align="left" rowspan="4" |''The Twelve Commandments of Dance''
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"|1987
| rowspan="4"|1987
! scope="row"| "[[Harlem Desire]]"
! scope="row"| "[[Harlem Desire]]"
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "Dance Dance Dance"
! scope="row"| "Dance Dance Dance"
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "[[My Love (London Boys song)|My Love]]"
! scope="row"| "[[My Love (London Boys song)|My Love]]"
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "Supermix" <small>(Finland only)</small>
! scope="row"| "Supermix" <small>(Finland only)</small>
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
| align="left" rowspan="1" |Non-album single
| align="left" rowspan="1" |Non-album single
|-
|-
Line 85: Line 85:
| rowspan="4"|1989
| rowspan="4"|1989
! scope="row"| "[[London Nights]]"
! scope="row"| "[[London Nights]]"
| 2 || 4 || – || 24 || – || 9
| 2 || 4 || — || 24 || — || 9
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Harlem Desire|Harlem Desire '89]]"
! scope="row"| "[[Harlem Desire|Harlem Desire '89]]"
Line 94: Line 94:
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "Megamix" <small>(UK only)</small>
! scope="row"| "Megamix" <small>(UK only)</small>
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
| align="left" rowspan="1" |Non-album single
| align="left" rowspan="1" |Non-album single
|-
|-
Line 103: Line 103:
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Freedom (London Boys song)|Freedom]]"
! scope="row"| "[[Freedom (London Boys song)|Freedom]]"
| 54 || – || – || – || – || 29
| 54 || — || — || — || — || 29
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"|1991
| rowspan="3"|1991
! scope="row"| "[[Sweet Soul Music (London Boys song)|Sweet Soul Music]]" <small>(Soul Kitchen feat London Boys)</small>
! scope="row"| "[[Sweet Soul Music (London Boys song)|Sweet Soul Music]]" <small>(Soul Kitchen feat London Boys)</small>
| – || – || – || 81 || 11 || —
| — || — || — || 81 || 11 || —
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Is This Love? (London Boys song)|Is This Love?]]"
! scope="row"| "Is This Love?"
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Tonight! Tonight!]]"
! scope="row"| "Tonight! Tonight!"
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|-
| rowspan="1"|1992
| rowspan="1"|1992
! scope="row"| "[[Moonraker (London Boys song)|Moonraker]]"
! scope="row"| "Moonraker"
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
| align="left" rowspan="2" |''Love 4 Unity''
| align="left" rowspan="2" |''Love 4 Unity''
|-
|-
| rowspan="1"|1993
| rowspan="1"|1993
! scope="row"| "[[Baby Come Back (The Equals song)#London Boys version|Baby Come Back]]"
! scope="row"| "[[Baby Come Back (The Equals song)#London Boys version|Baby Come Back]]"
| – || – || – || – || 27 || —
| — || — || — || — || 27 || —
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"|1995
| rowspan="2"|1995
! scope="row"| "[[Gospeltrain to London]]"
! scope="row"| "Gospeltrain to London"
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
| align="left" rowspan="2" |''Hallelujah Hits''
| align="left" rowspan="2" |''Hallelujah Hits''
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Kumbaya (London Boys song)|Kumbaya]]"
! scope="row"| "Kumbaya"
| – || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|-
| align="center" colspan="10" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.
| align="center" colspan="10" style="font-size:9pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.
|}
|}


Line 139: Line 139:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Discogs artist}}
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/London+Boys Discogs]
* [http://members.dslextreme.com/users/mrv/london_boys/bio.htm Unofficial fan biography]
* [https://www.ralf-rene-maue.com/the-london-boys/Ralf-René Maué homepage]
* [https://www.ralf-rene-maue.com/the-london-boys/Ralf-René Maué homepage]


Revision as of 18:03, 3 May 2024

For other uses, see London Boys (disambiguation).
London Boys
OriginHamburg, Germany
Genres
Years active1986–1996
LabelsTeldec, Atlantic, Rhino Entertainment
Past membersEdem Ephraim
Dennis Fuller

London Boys were a British dance-pop duo based in Germany whose members were Edem Ephraim (1 July 1959, London, UK – 21 January 1996) and Dennis Fuller (19 June 1959, Jamaica – 21 January 1996). They are best remembered for the UK top 5 hits "Requiem" and "London Nights".

The duo were killed when their car was hit by a drunk driver in the Eastern Alps, Austria, on 21 January 1996. Ephraim's wife also died in the accident, leaving their three-year-old son orphaned and leaving Fuller's 10-year-old daughter without a father.[1]

Musical career

Although they had lived near Hamburg, Germany, since 1981, the pair had actually met when they were at school in Greenwich, London, Ephraim having been born in London and Fuller in Jamaica. They were formed in 1986 as a vehicle for songwriter and record producer Ralf-René Maué. They signed with Teldec. Their musical style was a mix of soul and dance music or Eurobeat dance music. Spinning on their heads was combined with choreography, acquired during their experience as rollerblade dancers prior to forming the duo. Dennis Fuller was a former member of the Roxy Roller rollerskating disco act, which released a single called "I Need a Holiday" in May 1979.

The duo's most notable songs were "London Nights" and "Requiem", which were initially released in 1988. "Requiem" eventually became their breakthrough single in April 1989, reaching No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.[2] Subsequently, the re-released "London Nights" and the album The Twelve Commandments of Dance, both peaked at No. 2 on 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", 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.[2] The music videos for their singles were largely based around dance sequences and relationship/love storylines.

After this, their later recordings had little commercial success, with no further UK chart entries. However, in total, the London Boys sold 4.5 million records worldwide.[3]

After being dropped by their record label, the band effectively split up. In 1995, shortly before their deaths, a reformed version of the group, through Polydor, made a crossover album called Hallelujah Hits, which incorporated Eurodance arrangements into traditional religious compositions.

Death

Ephraim, Fuller and Ephraim's wife died in a car crash on 21 January 1996. They were travelling in the Austrian Alps on a mountain road on their way to a skiing holiday and along the route met a car driven by a drunk driver who was trying to pass on the opposite side of the road. The Swiss driver had reportedly been overtaking other cars in dangerous places along the road for a couple of miles beforehand, in bad weather and he hit their car head-on. Fuller, Ephraim, Ephraim's German wife Bettina, a Hamburg DJ (who was their mutual friend) and the Swiss driver died in the accident. Ephraim and his wife left a son, Stevie, who was 3-years-old. Fuller had a daughter, Laura, who was ten.[1]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Year Single Peak positions Album
UK
[2] 		IRE BEL
(FLA) 		GER AUT SWI
1986 "I'm Gonna Give My Heart" — — — — — — The Twelve Commandments of Dance
1987 "Harlem Desire" — — — — — —
"Dance Dance Dance" — — — — — —
"My Love" — — — — — —
"Supermix" (Finland only) — — — — — — Non-album single
1988 "Requiem" 4 8 36 27 11 — The Twelve Commandments of Dance
(second edition)
1989 "London Nights" 2 4 — 24 — 9
"Harlem Desire '89" 17 6 — — — —
"My Love '89" 46 15 — — — —
"Megamix" (UK only) — — — — — — Non-album single
1990 "Chapel of Love" 75 — — — — — Sweet Soul Music
"Freedom" 54 — — — — 29
1991 "Sweet Soul Music" (Soul Kitchen feat London Boys) — — — 81 11 —
"Is This Love?" — — — — — —
"Tonight! Tonight!" — — — — — —
1992 "Moonraker" — — — — — — Love 4 Unity
1993 "Baby Come Back" — — — — 27 —
1995 "Gospeltrain to London" — — — — — — Hallelujah Hits
"Kumbaya" — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

References

  1. ^ a b Verzeanu, Milena. "Biography". Archived from the original on 4 May 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
  2. ^ a b c "Official Charts Company: London Boys". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  3. ^ Carter, Spencer (21 April 2019). "WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The London Boys". Talk About Pop Music. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
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