Hugh Cornwell: From the Stranglers Punk to Solo Success – his story.
Remember Hugh Cornwell who fronted English band, the Stranglers? Wanna know what he’s up to today? Tune in to find out!
Best known as frontman of the Stranglers, one of the most long-lived and internationally popular bands from the original wave of British punk, Hugh Cornwell is also enjoying a successful solo career, that began with his debut solo album, Nosferatu in 1979 and continues long after he left the group in 1990.
Born in 1949 and brought up in North London, Hugh began making music in high school, where he played in a band with Richard Thompson (later of Fairport Convention).
After graduating from Bristol University with a B.Sc. in biochemistry, he moved to Sweden to do postgrad research. There he formed the band called Johnny Sox, which would later become the Stranglers.
The band, initially idenitfied with the grittiness of punk rock, but became much more ironic and cerebral than most of its contemporaries. They went on to greatly expand their sound, morphing into new wave and later, relatively mainstream pop.
The Stranglers are best remembered for their smooth ballad "Golden Brown."
Hugh Cornwell released his debut solo album in 1979. The follow-up album, Wolf arrived nine years later and in 1990, feeling the band had artistically worn itself out, Hugh left the Stranglers.
After that, he grew ever more prolific, issuing two solo albums in the ’90s and four in the 2000s, along with several live and compilation albums – one a collaborative effort in 1992 with songwriter, Roger Cook. He also worked with Irish poet John W. Sexton.
Hugh wrote five books, including two novels.
His band often featured as a stripped-back power trio and Hugh’s solo music remains heavily influenced by blues and rock n roll. It is always characterised by his erudite and sardonic lyrics.
More recently, in 2016 Hugh collaborated with legendary punk poet John Cooper Clarke on an album entitled ‘This Time It’s Personal’ He released his ninth album, Monster in 2018 and has just put out his tenth solo album, Moments of Madness.
Hugh Cornwelll has also been an actor, appearing in a number of stage productions and television series.
He currebtly hosts a podcast dedicated to his love of film, called Mr Demille FM, http://mrdemillefm.com/
He’s also a massive cricket fan.
I hope you enjoy our chat. Don’t forget, if there’s someone you’d like to hear interviewed, just send me a message through the website https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au
