Fairground Attraction
Origin United Kingdom
Genres Folk, Skiffle, Soft rock
Fairground Attraction were a British folk and soft rock band. They are best known for their hit song “Perfect” and the subsequent single “Find My Love”, and for helping to launch the careers of lead vocalist Eddi Reader and songwriter Mark E Nevin.
In 1987, Fairground Attraction were signed to RCA, and released their first single, “Perfect”, in April 1988. It was an immediate success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart. Their album The First of a Million Kisses was a blend of folk, jazz, country, and cajun elements (all but one of its songs being written by Nevin). Released in May 1988, it followed the success of “Perfect” by entering the UK Albums Chart at number three, and rising to number two; it was eventually certified platinum. Three other singles were released from the same album: “Find My Love” (which reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart), “A Smile in a Whisper”, and “Clare”.
At the 1989 Brit Awards, “Perfect” won the award for best single, and The First of a Million Kisses for British Album.
In September 1989, however, during the recording of their second album, rumours of arguments circulated, and in January 1990 the band split up. An album Ay Fond Kiss was released in 1990, and one of its songs, a cover of Patsy Cline’s 1957 country hit “Walkin’ After Midnight”, became their last single.
Personnel
Eddi Reader – vocals – born 29 August 1959, Glasgow, Scotland
Mark E. Nevin – electric and acoustic guitars – born 13 August 1959, Ebbw Vale, Wales
Simon Edwards – guitarrón – born 29 April 1958, Hurley, England
Roy Dodds – drums – born 11 July 1951
Discography
Studio albums
The First of a Million Kisses
Released: 16 May 1988
Label: RCA
UK: 2× Platinum
Ay Fond Kiss
Released: 18 June 1990
Label: RCA
Compilation albums
The Collection: Fairground Attraction, featuring Eddi Reader (1994)
Perfect: The Best of Fairground Attraction (1995)
The Very Best of Fairground Attraction, featuring Eddi Reader (1996)
The Masters (1997)
80s Eternal Best: Fairground Attraction Best (1998)
The Best of Fairground Attraction (2004)
Live albums
Kawasaki Live in Japan 02.07.89 (2003)
Singles
1988 “Perfect”
The First of a Million Kisses
“Find My Love”
“A Smile in a Whisper” 75
1989 “Clare” 49
1990 “Walking After Midnight”
Ay Fond Kiss
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