When in Rome (band)
When in Rome | |
---|---|
Origin | Manchester, England |
Genres | Dance, new wave[1] |
Years active | 1987–1990, 2006–present |
Labels | Virgin, 10, Spectra Records |
Past members | (UK version)[2] Clive Farrington Andrew Mann Danny Phillips (guitar) (US version) Rob Juarez David Noble Dave Schulz Collyer Spreen Hayes Smith Jayden Frost (vocals) |
When in Rome are an English dance/new wave group, which originally consisted of vocalists Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, and keyboards player Michael Floreale. They are best known for their 1988 single "The Promise".
History
Formation
Michael Floreale and Andy O'Connell were recruited by Clive Farrington to replace departed members of his Manchester-based group Beau Leisure.[3] Floreale and Farrington began to write songs together. Later, Farrington and Floreale saw Andrew Mann, a beat poet, and had him join their performances.[3] O'Connell left the group; the remaining trio recorded some demos – sometimes including Mann's friend Corinne Drewery – while seeking a recording deal.[3]
Debut album
The group was signed by Virgin UK subsidiary 10 Records. Producers Ben Rogan (who had worked with Sade) and Richard James Burgess took special interest in the trio's song "The Promise", issued first as a 12" dance disc. When the song became popular, hitting the top of Billboard's Dance Club Play chart, Virgin ordered an album. A remixed version of "The Promise" was the first single from their self-titled debut album. It was an instant success, barely missing the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at No. 11.[4] Months later, the trio reached Billboard's pop chart's lower reaches for the last time with "Heaven Knows" (No. 95, 1990).[4] Additional singles did little on the charts, and the group ultimately faded away.
Breakup
In 1990, the band broke up over musical differences. Floreale moved to the United States, and now lives in Dallas, Texas, where he composes music for television and film.[5] In 2006, Floreale reformed When in Rome,[3] with singer/songwriter John Ceravolo.[citation needed] Since then, the group has toured the United States and South America with various other 1980s groups.[3][6]
Farrington and Mann reformed in 2009, under the name When in Rome UK.[7] Floreale, however, had trademarked the name "When in Rome",[8] which was unsuccessfully challenged by Farrington and Mann but is currently under review again.[citation needed] According to a Pollstar article in May 2011, the US trademark has been acknowledged: "In order to comply with the legal claim, the UK members, are billed as "Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann formerly of When In Rome" for US gigs.[8]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SWE [9] |
US [10] | |||||||||||||
When in Rome |
|
42 | 84 | |||||||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
Singles
Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK [11] |
US [4] |
US Dance [4] | ||||||||||||
1988 | "The Promise" | 58 | 11 | 1 | When in Rome | |||||||||
1989 | "Heaven Knows" | — | 95 | 14 | ||||||||||
"Everything" | — | — | — | |||||||||||
1990 | "Sight of Your Tears" | — | — | 40 | ||||||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
References
- ^ Hage, Erik. "When in Rome – Artist Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ "press release - The Boss Booking Agency". Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Back to the 80s: Interview with Michael Floreale & Clive Farrington of When In Rome". Kickin' it Old School. February 10, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Billboard.com Artist Chart History, When In Rome
- ^ L.A.S.Y.S. Inc. Artist Summary: Jayden Frost. Frost's album Blue was produced by Floreale.
- ^ Jacquelyn Carberry (2007-09-21). "Musical memories: It's time for the 1980s to get the nostalgia treatment with the Lost '80s Live tour". Honolulu Star Bulletin. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ Manchester Direct Music Archive: When In Rome (submitted by Clive Farrington)
- ^ a b Tina Amendola (May 27, 2011). "When In Rome Name Dispute". Pollstar.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "When In Rome - When In Rome". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
- ^ When in Rome. "When in Rome - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.