MADNESS
Madness was one of the leading bands of the ska revival of the late ’70s and early ’80s. As their career progressed, Madness branched away from their trademark “nutty sound” and incorporated large elements of Motown, soul, and British pop. Although the band managed one crossover American hit in 1983, they remained a British phenomenon, influencing several successive generations of musicians and becoming one of the most beloved groups the country produced during the ’80s…
The origins of Madness lie in a ska group known as the Invaders in 1976, however by 1978, the band had changed their name to Morris and the Minors and had added Graham “Suggs” McPherson, Mark Bedford, Chas Smash, and Dan Woodgate to the group. Later in 1978, they changed their name to Madness, in homage to one of their favorite Prince Buster songs. Madness released their debut single, a tribute to Prince Buster entitled “The Prince,” on Two-Tone. The song was a surprise success, reaching the British Top 20. Following its success, they released another: “One Step Beyond,” which climbed to number seven.
Madness recorded their debut album which peaked at number two in Britain and it stayed on the charts for well over a year. For the next three years, the group had a virtually uninterrupted run of 13 Top Ten singles, during which time they were one of the most popular bands in Britain. Madness had a broad fan base, reaching from children to the elderly which didn’t mean their music was diluted.
Madness continued to gain momentum, as the group began playing matinee shows on their tours so children under 16 years old could attend the concert. In March, their streak of Top Ten hits was interrupted when “Cardiac Arrest” stalled at number 14 on the charts, due to radio’s reluctance to play the tune. The band bounced back a few months later with “House of Fun,” their first number one single.
At the end of 1983, the band’s key songwriter left the group. Although Madness was able to stay near the top of the charts the band’s fortunes began to decline. In September 1986, Madness announced they were disbanding. Two months later, their farewell single, “Waiting for the Ghost Train,” was released, charting at number 18. After staying dormant for a year-and-a-half, the group reunited at the beginning of 1988 as a quartet called The Madness, releasing its comeback single, “I Pronounce You,”. The group disbanded for a second time that autumn.
In the summer of 1992, the original lineup of Madness reunited to perform two outdoor concerts at London’s Finsbury Park. The group dubbed the event Madstock and released a recording of the shows on Go! Records. Madstock became an annual event for the next four years. Then in 2011, Madness launched the annual “House of Fun Weekender,” a three-day festival curated by the band in which they performed alongside a wealth of like-minded artists. During 2012, the band took part in high-profile performances that celebrated the best of British culture. They played from the top of Buckingham Palace at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee party and also appeared in the closing ceremony of the London Olympic Games. As 2012 drew to a close, Madness released a new album called Oui, Oui, Si, Si, Ja, Ja, Da, Da. The group returned in 2016 with their 12th studio effort, Can’t Touch Us Now.
