Richard Butler (singer)

Richard Butler

Butler singing into a microphone onstage

Butler performing live in 2006
Background information
Birth name Richard Lofthouse Butler
Born (1956-06-05) 5 June 1956
Kingston upon Thames, London, England, United Kingdom
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • painter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1977–present
Labels Koch
Associated acts

Richard Lofthouse Butler (born 5 June 1956) is an English singer, songwriter, and painter.

Butler's music career spans more than 30 years. He came to prominence in the early 1980s as lead singer of the rock band the Psychedelic Furs, and went on to found the alternative rock band Love Spit Love in the early 1990s, during a hiatus of the Psychedelic Furs. Butler began his solo career in 2006, while still a member of the Psychedelic Furs, releasing the eponymous album Richard Butler.

Early years

Richard Lofthouse Butler was born on 5 June 1956, in Kingston upon Thames, London, England. His father George Butler was research chemist, a Communist and an atheist. In the 1970s the elder Butler was slated to become a scientific ambassador for the Soviet Union, but a friend convinced him this would not be a good place for his family. Butler's mother was an artist, and he started art school in London with the idea of becoming a painter. After graduation he worked in a silk-screen print shop, but got the idea to form a band.[1]

Musical career

Butler formed the Psychedelic Furs in 1977 with his bassist brother Tim Butler.[2] According to Butler, the Psychedelic Furs began rehearsing in the Butlers' front room, but were soon banished because of the noise.[3] Joined by guitarist John Ashton, guitarist Roger Morris, drummer Vince Ely and saxophonist Duncan Kilburn, the band quickly gained commercial success. The band's self-titled 1980 debut on Columbia Records and the 1981 Talk Talk Talk included 20 songs.

The Psychedelic Furs went on hiatus in the early 1990s, and Butler became the founder and lead singer of Love Spit Love. By 2000 he stated that Love Spit Love had "gone into remission."[4] His work with Love Spit Love can be heard on the hit syndicated television show Charmed. A truncated version of LSL's cover version of The Smiths' hit song "How Soon Is Now?" – recorded for The Craft soundtrack – plays during the Charmed opening credits. He also sang backing vocals, on "I Am Anastasia" by the American band, Sponge. Love Spit Love's "Am I Wrong" was the theme over the opening credits of the 1995 film Angus.

In 2001, the Psychedelic Furs reformed after a nine-year hiatus, and have toured worldwide since then. In 2001, they released a live album titled Beautiful Chaos: Greatest Hits Live.[5]

In early 2006, Butler released the eponymous solo album titled Richard Butler, a collection of songs dedicated to his late father, Dr. George Butler, and also Jon Carin's father, Dr. Arthur A. Carin (Carin was Richard Butler's collaborator on the release, co-authoring and arranging much of the music). In 2014, Butler covered Charles Aznavour's "She" for the Gone Girl teaser trailer.[6]

Art career

In the early 2000s, Butler became interested in the art scene and began painting again. He has had gallery exhibitions in New York City, Miami, and Florence, Italy. One of his works, "Girl With a Map," has been used as a CD's cover art.[7]

Personal life

Richard Butler has one daughter, Maggie Mozart Butler (b. September 1997). He currently resides in Beacon, New York.

Discography

Solo
The Psychedelic Furs
Love Spit Love

References

  1. ↑ Rexer, Lyle. "Richard Butler". Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  2. ↑ Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock: the definitive guide to more than 1200 artists and bands. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781858284576.
  3. ↑ Armstrong, Gene (30 May 2013). "Love Their Way: The Psychedelic Furs will take the Rialto stage providing a look back on college rock memories". Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  4. ↑ Flinn, Sean (2 August 2000). "Back In The Pink: An Interview with Richard Butler of the Psychedelic Furs". Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  5. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "The Psychedelic Furs biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  6. ↑ Alynda Wheat; Samantha Miller (15 April 2014). "Is Gone Girl David Fincher's Creepiest Trailer? A Ranking". People Magazine Online.
  7. ↑ Gerstenzang, Peter (6 February 2006). "New Days for Psych Furs' Butler". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
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