Sad Café are an English rock band formed in

Manchester Manchester () is a city and the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It had an estimated population of in . Greater Manchester is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.92&nbs ...

in 1976, who achieved their peak of popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are best known for the UK top 40 singles " Every Day Hurts", "Strange Little Girl", " My Oh My" and "I'm in Love Again", the first of which was their biggest hit, reaching number 3 on the UK Singles Chart in 1979. The band also had two US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 hits with "Run Home Girl" and "La-Di-Da".

History

The group formed as a result of the unification of rock bands Mandalaband and Gyro. Its founder members were Paul Young (vocals), Ian Wilson (guitar), Vic Emerson (keyboards), Ashley Mulford (lead guitar), John Stimpson (bass) and Tony Cresswell (drums). The band took their name from the Carson McCullers novella '' Ballad of the Sad Café''. Harvey Lisberg, who also managed 10cc, arranged for Eric Stewart to produce their third album, '' Facades'' (an anagram of Sad Cafe), which included the top 3 single " Every Day Hurts".

Personnel

Members

;Current * Des Tong – bass, vocals (1981–1990, 1998, 2000, 2012–present) * Steve Gibson - drums (1989–1990, 2023–present) * Dave Day - guitars, vocals (2018–present) * Neil Shaw-Hulme - saxophones, wx7, vocals (2018–present) * Matt Steele - keyboards (2019–present) * Paul McCafferty - vocals (2025 - 2025) ;Former * Ian Wilson - rhythm guitar, vocals (1976–2022) * Paul Young – lead vocals (1976–1990, 1998; died 2000) * Vic Emerson – keyboards (1976–1984, 2000; died 2018) * John Stimpson – bass, backing vocals (1976–1980; died 2021) * Tony Cresswell – drums (1976–1978) * Ashley Mulford – lead guitars, vocals (1976–1981, 1986–1989, 2000, 2012–2014) * Dave Irving - drums (1978–1984, 2000, 2012–2019) * Lenni Zaksen – saxophone (1979–1984, 1998, 2000) * Al Hodge - guitars (1981; died 2006) * Michael Byron-Hehir – lead guitars (1981–1984, 1989–1990, 1998; guest musician: 1986) * Jeff Seopardi – drums (1984–1986) * Danny Schogger – keyboards (1984) * Phil Lanzon – keyboards (1986) * Alistair Gordon – keyboards, vocals (1989–1990, 1998) * Simon Waggott – keyboards, vocals (2012–2014) * Steve Whalley – vocals, guitar (2012–2014) * Sue Wilson-Quin - keyboards, vocals (2012–2022) * Pete Hughes - keyboards (2018) * Bryan Hargreaves – drums (2019–2022) * Barry James Thomas - vocals, percussion (2018–2024; died 2024) ;Guest musicians * Roy Martin – drums (1998) * Paul Burgess – drums (1986–1990) * Steve Pigott – keyboards (1984–1986) * Ali Roocroft - keyboards (2023-2024)

Lineups

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

Singles

References

External links

Sad Café official website

Sad Café
at Harvey Lisberg * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sad Cafe (band) English soft rock music groups Rock music groups from Manchester Musical groups established in 1976 Swan Song Records artists A&M Records artists RCA Records artists