Go West (band)

Go West are an English pop duo, formed in 1982 by lead vocalist Peter Cox and rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Richard Drummie. At the Brit Awards 1986, they received the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act. The duo enjoyed popularity between the mid-1980s and the early 1990s and are best known for the international top 10 hits " We Close Our Eyes", " Call Me", " Faithful", and " King of Wishful Thinking"; the last was featured in the American romantic comedy film ''Pretty Woman'' (1990).

History

In 1982, Cox and Drummie formed the band Go West, with Cox as lead vocalist and Drummie on guitar and backing vocals. The name Go West was chosen due to the duo feeling, at the time, the British public were more attracted to music that came from America rather than their own country (in a similar vein to The British Invasion). Go West had a publishing deal and possessed a portastudio, but lacked a band or recording company. Cox and Drummie decided, with support from John Glover, their manager, to find a record producer, and record just two of their songs. The tracks " We Close Our Eyes" and " Call Me" found Go West landing a recording contract with Chrysalis Records.

Go West's debut single, "We Close Our Eyes", was released in February 1985 and reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 5 on the US Dance Club Play chart and No. 41 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The video for the song, directed by Godley & Creme, was innovative and unusual for its time, becoming an early favourite on MTV. "We Close Our Eyes" would prove to be the band's highest-placed UK single, and their only appearance in the UK Singles Chart's top ten.

The duo's eponymous debut studio album was released in April 1985. It included "We Close Our Eyes" and "Call Me" as well as " Don't Look Down", which served as the prequel to what would be their first top 40 hit in the US. The album peaked at no. 8 in the United Kingdom. '' Bangs & Crashes'', an album of remixes, B-sides and live tracks, was released in 1986, and included the track "One Way Street" which was part of the 1985 ''Rocky IV'' film soundtrack. Go West were voted "Best Newcomer" at the 1986 Brit Awards.

In 1987, Go West released the proper follow-up to their debut studio album, '' Dancing on the Couch'', which made the UK top 20. Although several singles were released, the album was not as commercially successful as their first, particularly in the United States. However, it yielded the band's first American top 40 hit single: "Don't Look Down – The Sequel".

In 1990, Go West had a no. 8 hit in the US with " King of Wishful Thinking" from the film ''Pretty Woman''. Written by Cox and Drummie in collaboration with Martin Page, the song received an ASCAP award.

In 1992, the duo released their third studio album ''Indian Summer'', which included " Faithful" and revival of Bobby Caldwell's original What You Won't Do for Love. Written by the band and Martin Page and produced by Peter Wolf, the song reached the top 20 in the UK, Canada and the United States.

Cox and Drummie appeared on '' Jim'll Fix It: Strikes Again'' in 2007, to re-create a popular 'fix-it' from 1986; in the original show, a fifteen-year-old girl had sung "We Close Our Eyes" with Go West as a backing vocalist.

In November 2015, a compilation album called ''80's Re:Covered'' featured two Go West covers of the Killers' "Human", including a remix, while a recording of a 2003 concert recorded at the Robin 2 in Bilston was released as ''Live Robin 2 – 2003'' CD/DVD in 2016. The concert was previously released as the live DVD ''Kings of Wishful Thinking – Live'' in 2004.

Awards and nominations

Members

* Peter Cox – lead vocals, keyboards, percussion, guitars
* Richard Drummie – electric guitars, keyboards, backing vocals, bass

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

* ''The Best of Go West: Live at the NEC'' (2001)
* ''Tony Hadley v Peter Cox & Go West'' (with Tony Hadley) (2004)
* ''Live Robin 2 – 2003'' (2016)

Compilation albums

* '' Aces and Kings – The Best of Go West'' (1993) (BPI: Gold)
* ''The Best of Go West'' (1998)
* ''The Best Of'' (1998)
* ''The Very Best of Go West'' (2012)

Remix albums

Extended plays

* ''3D Part 1'' (2010)
* ''3D Part 2'' (2011)
* ''3D Part 3'' (2013)

Singles

References

External links

Official Go West Website and Forum

Peter Cox interviewed by Kevin Gurney from 96.5 Bolton FM
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Go West
English pop music duos
British soul musical groups
English male musical duos
Brit Award winners
Pop music groups from London
Chrysalis Records artists
Sophisti-pop musical groups