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The Housemartins were an alternative rock band in the 1980s. The band was formed in 1983 by Paul Heaton (vocals), Stan Cullimore (guitar), Ted Key (bass) and Chris Lang (drums). The band's membership changed considerably over the years. Ted Key was replaced by Norman Cook - the future Fatboy Slim - and drummer Chris Lang was replaced by Hugh Whitaker, former drummer with The Gargoyles, who in turn was replaced with Dave Hemingway. In 1986, having recorded two John Peel sessions for Radio 1, the band broke through with the single "Happy Hour", which reached No.3 in the UK charts. At the end of 1986 they narrowly missed out on the Christmas No.1 single with a cover version of Isley Jasper Isley's "Caravan of Love", when it was knocked off the top spot by Jackie Wilson's "Reet Petite" on 23 December. The band split in 1988, but the members have since remained friends and have gone onto work on other successful projects. Norman Cook enjoyed significant success with Beats International and then as Fatboy Slim, while Heaton, Hemingway and roadie Sean Welch formed The Beautiful South. Despite repeated requests from fans, they have never reformed.  |
