King were a British New Wave pop band of the mid-eighties from Coventry. Their name comes from the surname of lead singer Paul King. The band were formed from the remnants of Coventry rock-ska band The Reluctant Stereotypes plus producer Paul Sampson. Riding on the back of the Two Tone wave, they had two UK Top 10 albums on CBS. both produced and mixed by Richard James Burgess, and two UK Top 10 singles.
After the demise of The Reluctant Stereotypes, singer Paul King formed The Raw Screens, who perfected their act and style to what Paul and his manager Perry Haines called 'Multi Tone,' as opposed to 'Two Tone', and then, in 1983, relaunched the group as self-named Eighties band King.
As lead singer, Paul King was famed for his 'cockatoo' haircut and spray painted Doc Marten's Boots - a look described "like the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. But, hell, the girls loved him;" while Burgess produced and drummed on most of the band's songs.
The band released two UK Top 10 albums on CBS both produced and mixed by Burgess, who also played drums on most of the debut work Steps in Time (the second LP, which was entitled Bitter Sweet, saw instead Adrian Lillywhite on drums). The CBS albums were both certified Gold and produced five hit singles, the most successful being the UK Number 2 hit Love & Pride.
King as a band lasted just a couple of years, from 1984 to 1986, then Paul King went solo with an unlucky album titled Joy, produced by American producer Dan Hartman. After that, he briefly worked as a VJ for MTV. From 1988 to present, though, his TV appearances became increasingly infrequent.
In 1998, a collection was eventually out, entitled The Best of King - Love & Pride, with 18 tracks, featuring the band's greatest hits and stand-out tracks, including Paul King's one minor solo hit, I Know. Besides the popular «Breaker Heart Mix» of The Taste of Your Tears (an extended version which already featured on the first tape edition of Bitter Sweet), and classic remixes of "Love & Pride" and "Won't You Hold My Hand Now", the compilation also includes three non-album tracks: Don't Stop (bonus track on the re-release of the Steps in Time MC), Crazy Party and Groovin' with the Kings.
7” SINGLE
A side: Wont You Hold My Hand Now (Remix)
B side: Fish (Reprise) Live
Condition: Near Mint
Sleeve, Excellent
Released on the CBS Label
Date: 1985
Number: A6094
All Vinyl played before dispatch to ensure good playback.
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Record Grading
The grading system I use when determining the condition of the vinyl is The 'Record Collectors' Grading System, taken from the Rare Record Price Guide book.
Mint (M) The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.
Near Mint (NM) The record looks brand new with no scuffing or any deterioration in sound quality and only the smallest hint that its ever been played. The cover and any additional extras are clean, crisp and with no wear whatsoever.
Excellent (EX) The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.
Very Good (VG) The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.
Good (G) The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.
Fair (F) The record is still just about playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.
Poor (P) The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.
I will not refund you if have not read and understood the grading system I use.
To illustrate my point: if I describe a record as Good (G), it's not brand new or excellent - sound quality has noticeably deteriorated and the cover may be damaged with splits or discoloration.
