Dave Wakeling
Encyclopedia
Dave Wakeling is an English rock
singer, songwriter
, and guitarist
. He is most famous for singing and writing songs for the 1980s 2-Tone band The Beat
and also General Public
.
. They also had UK hits from the albums Wha'ppen?
and Special Beat Service
. In 1983 The Beat disbanded, citing, "every great band only has three really good albums".
Wakeling then formed General Public with Ranking Roger
in 1984 and they released their debut album, All the Rage. He would go on to record another two albums with General Public, Hand To Mouth (1986) and Rub It Better (1995), shortly after which the act would disband.
He then produced the soundtrack for the John Hughes film She's Having a Baby
(1988), in which he also recorded the title track.
Wakeling released a solo album, No Warning, on I.R.S. Records
in 1991 and has lived in California for a number of years. He regularly performs as The English Beat in North America
.
Produced by Mark Goldenberg (tracks 1-9) & Steve Levine
(track 10, from She's Having a Baby
)
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
. He is most famous for singing and writing songs for the 1980s 2-Tone band The Beat
The Beat
- Film and television :* The Beat , an American drama starring William McNamara* The Beat , an American drama starring Jazsmin Lewis* The Beat a 2000s American drama series...
and also General Public
General Public
General Public were a band formed by The Beat vocalists, Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger, and which included former members of Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Specials and The Clash...
.
Career
The first album by The Beat, I Just Can't Stop It, was a hit and singles from this album included "Mirror In The Bathroom", "Hands Off She's Mine" and "Can't Get Used To Losing You" which all entered the Top 10 in the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. They also had UK hits from the albums Wha'ppen?
Wha'ppen?
Wha'ppen? is the second album by the British ska band The Beat , released in 1981 via Go Feet Records.-Original release:Side One#"Doors of Your Heart" #"All Out to Get You"...
and Special Beat Service
Special Beat Service
Special Beat Service was the third and final album by British ska band The Beat. Like the rest of their material, it was released in the US under the name "The English Beat"...
. In 1983 The Beat disbanded, citing, "every great band only has three really good albums".
Wakeling then formed General Public with Ranking Roger
Ranking Roger
Ranking Roger is an English musician. He was a vocalist in the 1980s two-tone band, The Beat and General Public...
in 1984 and they released their debut album, All the Rage. He would go on to record another two albums with General Public, Hand To Mouth (1986) and Rub It Better (1995), shortly after which the act would disband.
He then produced the soundtrack for the John Hughes film She's Having a Baby
She's Having a Baby
She's Having a Baby is a 1988 American romance film directed by John Hughes.The film portrays a young newlywed couple, Kristy and Jake Briggs played by Elizabeth McGovern and Kevin Bacon, who try to cope with being married and what is expected of them by their parents. Jake must also deal with the...
(1988), in which he also recorded the title track.
Wakeling released a solo album, No Warning, on I.R.S. Records
I.R.S. Records
I.R.S. Records was a record label, started in the United States in 1979 by Miles Copeland III along with Jay Boberg and Carl Grasso. Miles was also the manager of Wishbone Ash, The Police, and later, Sting, as well as other bands. I.R.S. was the sister label of Copeland's Illegal Records .I.R.S...
in 1991 and has lived in California for a number of years. He regularly performs as The English Beat in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
Personal life
Wakeling currently resides in California with his wife Damessa and their two children, Max and Chloe.Discography
- No Warning (1991 I.R.S. Records)
- I Want More
- No Warning
- Remember in the Dark
- Every Time You Look at Me That Way
- Sensation
- Freedom Fighter
- One + One + One
- Sex With You
- I'm Not Ready
- She's Having a Baby
Produced by Mark Goldenberg (tracks 1-9) & Steve Levine
Steve Levine
Steve Levine is a British record producer, most famous for his work on Culture Club's studio albums.Levine also has produced work for John Howard, China Crisis, Motorhead, Ziggy Marley, Westworld, The Beach Boys, and Gary Moore....
(track 10, from She's Having a Baby
She's Having a Baby
She's Having a Baby is a 1988 American romance film directed by John Hughes.The film portrays a young newlywed couple, Kristy and Jake Briggs played by Elizabeth McGovern and Kevin Bacon, who try to cope with being married and what is expected of them by their parents. Jake must also deal with the...
)