Chris Hughes (record producer)

Christopher Merrick Hughes (born 3 March 1954,[1] London, England), also known as Merrick,[2] is a British music producer and former drummer, acoustic guitarist and keyboards player for Adam and the Ants.[3] Best known as producer of Tears for Fears' Songs from the Big Chair, and as the co-writer of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", Hughes has a joint background as a musician, songwriter and producer. His career began with Adam and The Ants as drummer and producer of the Cartrouble single and then the Kings of the Wild Frontier album. Yielding three hit singles, the album earned Hughes Music Week 's 'Producer of the Year Award'.[4]

Life and career

Hughes was educated at Emanuel School in London, and was a member of Adam and the Ants, also producing their albums, Kings of the Wild Frontier and Prince Charming.[5] Hughes was awarded Music Week’s "Producer of the Year" award for his work on the album, Kings of the Wild Frontier.[5] He co-wrote Tears for Fears' hit song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World",[5] and produced their first two albums, the platinum-selling The Hurting and the multi-platinum Songs from the Big Chair.[5] He began working with the band again on their third album, The Seeds of Love, but left the project due to creative differences. Hughes also produced The Electric Soft Parade's debut album, Holes in the Wall, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize,[5] and Propaganda's 1234.[6] Hughes was also a member of Dalek I Love You and co-produced Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain".

In February 1994, Hughes released Shift, his first solo album, which was re-released in July 2008.[5] Shift was a tribute to American minimalist composer, Steve Reich. In 1972, Hughes' father took him to London to see Reich's performance of Drumming. Hughes credits Reich as a driving influence in his career.[7] Shift uses fragments of Reich's work and "subjects it to subtle manipulations using the technology of recorded sound".[7]

At db records,[8] Hughes worked on the early development of Tom McRae[9] and The Electric Soft Parade, producing debut albums that were both nominated for a Mercury Music Prize.

The first solo release by Hughes, Shift,[10] was a re-working of compositions by Steve Reich, and was originally released on the Fontana label in February 1994. It was re-released by Helium Records in July 2008.

Hughes has worked with many artists including: Adam and the Ants, A-ha, Tears For Fears, Robert Plant, Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Wang Chung, Tom McRae, Electric Soft Parade, Propaganda, Howard Jones, Lloyd Cole, Jon Bon Jovi, Tori Amos and The Tearjerkers.

References

  1. ↑ "March 3 Birthdays in History". Brainyhistory.com. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  2. ↑ "Adam and the Ants". MTV. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  3. ↑ "Adam Ant - Pop Star". BBC.co.ukdate=13 December 2000. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "Music Week Awards 2013 |". Musicweekawards.com. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Chris Hughes". Helium Records. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  6. ↑ "1234 - Propaganda". Billboard.com. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  7. 1 2 "Scott Duncan's classical aisle". The Orange County Register. 9 December 1994.
  8. ↑ "Biography". Dbrecords.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  9. ↑ "Tom McRae-Home". Tommcrae.com. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  10. ↑ Dave, Uncle. "Chris Hughes: Shift - Chris Hughes : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 June 2013.

External links

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