25 Years in the making

To see just how much of an impact Carol & T'Pau had on the music scene over 25 years ago, we need to go back to the very beginning

You will see what they achieved and this will make you realise why celebrating 25 years since they made it big was a must!!

 It's hard to believe that it's been over a quarter-of-a-century since T'Pau first 'made it' on the music scene way back in 1987!  I was just 15 and taking my GCSE mock exams!

They weren't an 'overnight success' back in the day. - They certainly worked hard for success, performing in pubs and clubs, sending demo tapes to everyone and anyone they could think of.  Remember, back in the 80's, there was no internet, so it wasn't just a case of emailing tracks to potential Record Companies, you had to physically record your demos on to tapes and send them off.  There wasn't even CD's around then!

Can you imagine how long a process it would have been to record multipule demo tapes, put them all into jiffy bags, send them off and wait to see if you got a reply!?

It wasn't even a case of waiting for an email-The nearest thing to emails back then was the good 'old fashioned' letter!

Obviously, just like applying for jobs, they wouldn't have received a reply from 'all' of the people they sent their demos to, which must have added to the frustration!

For a while it would seem as though they were getting nowhere - For every door that seemed to open for them, two would get slammed in their faces!

Looking back in retrospect and listening to the demos that can be found on 'The Story Behind The Tracks', it's hard to believe all the knockbacks the band encountered-These songs were pure gold!  Potential hit after hit.  Surely somebody would pick up on this and realise this bands' potential?

They had just been rejected by Virgin Records, which must have been a big blow to them, but ironically, around the same time, Siren Records, which was a subsidiary/sister company to Virgin, was impressed with what they saw and signed the band!  As you can imagine, the band were climbing the walls with excitement!

Years of performing in pubs and clubs and holding down a couple of jobs each just to survive and also help fund their every efforts in making themselves heard were about to change, weren't they?

T'Pau had been born!  Carol got the name from an episode of Star Trek as she liked the 'onomatopoeia' of it - "T'Pau", "T'Pau" "T'Pau".

T'Pau from Star Trek

Original line-up

Carol Decker

Carol was born on 10th September 1957 in Liverpool and was educated in Wellington, Shropshire.

She is the singer/co-writer of all of T'Pau's hits.  She is the 'front woman' for the band.  In the 80's and part of the 90's, Carol's partner was Ronnie Rogers, rhythm guitarist/co-writer of the songs, for 13 years. They parted in the 90's, but still remain good friends. Carol was 29 when the band first made it big with Heart and Soul, and 30 with China In Your Hand.  In a recent interview on Loose Women, they were discussing that that was quite old to find fame in the music business.  Carol was quoted as saying "ancient!!", as compared to some of the artists of today, they can be as young as 16/17!!

Carol met, who was subsequently to be, her future husband, in 1996.  His name is Richard Coates. They married in 2006.  They both have two children, Scarlett, 15 and Dylan, 10.  

Years ago, when the band first made it big, Carol said she would never marry, and, in her own words was 'allergic' to kids!!  Things couldn't have panned out more differently.  And Carol wouldn't have it any other way!!

Ronnie Rogers

Ronnie was born 13th March 1959 in Shrewsbury.  He was the the Rhythm Guitarist /co song-writer of the band, along with Carol.  They had a 13 year relationship during part of the 80's and 90's.  As mentioned above, they remain very good friends.  Ronnie now lives in Wales, and is still in the music business, and has his own group called 'The Ronaldo's'.  Himself and Carol still write material together.

Tim Burgess

Tim was born 6th October 1961 in Macclesfield, and was the Percussionist/Drummer of the band.

He no longer is involved in the music industry, and now lives in Toronto.  He now works on digital distribution for music and films.  What a waste of a  drummer!!

Michael Chetwood

Mike was the oldest member of T'Pau, and was born on 26th August 1954 in Telford.  He played on the keyboard, and was responsible for the 'ever so well known' opening of China In Your Hand. 

I'm not sure of what Michael does at the moment.

Paul Jackson

Paul Jackson was born on 8th August 1961 in Telford.  He was the Bass Guitarist to the band.

Since the original line up split at the end of 1991, Paul is now in the band 'Dawson'.

Taj Wyzgowski

Taj was the lead guitarist on the album 'Bridge Of Spies' but left the band before they found their fame, and was replaced by :

Dean Howard

Dean was born on 7th May 1961, and took over from Taj as lead guitarist.  A brilliant guitarist, as, although he wasn't responsible for any of Bridge Of Spies, except the single version of China In Your Hand, he toured, playing the songs live. His talent was rewarded when the band split when he went on to tour and record with Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan.  He also formed a band with Spandau Ballet's Drummer John Keeble called 'The Herbs' in the 1990's.

Heart & Soul

Limited edition single cover with 'Star Trek' references

It was announced that 'Heart & Soul' was to be the first single release.  This song was quite ahead of its time - a catchy dance track with 'overlapping' rap vocals - Carol quite often states that it was her that invented rap way back in the day!

The original video to Heart & Soul

The version we are more used to

The single entered the UK charts at number 98 and then dropped out the charts without a trace! Had the bands' success ended before it had begun?

Intimate Strangers

The band released a second single called 'Intimate Strangers', which was to be called 'Sex Talk'on the 'Bridge Of Spies' album, and was later to be released as 'Sex Talk (Live)' .

Unfortunately, this didn't make an impact on the charts, so was it back to the drawing board for Carol and co.?


Promotion for Intimate Strangers

Well, as luck would have it, Pepe Jeans picked up on 'Heart & Soul' and used it in one of their commercials, and guess what, it started to climb up the U.S. Billboard Chart.

The band had to fly out to America, promoting the song, which seemed to keep climbing, where it peaked at number 4.  And even after peaking at number 4, it kept going up and down in position like a yo-yo!!  It stayed in the U.S. Billboard charts for 6 months!!

At this point, it seemed to be healthily climbing up the UK charts.
The band were needed in the UK to promote the song over here, and had to fly back from America.

They were about to 'tick one of many boxes' that all up-and-coming bands at that time 'so' wanted to do themselves, and that was to make their first appearance on 'Top Of The Pops'.  Although it's no longer on our TV screens, it was such an institution as so many people had grown up watching it!

T'Pau's first appearance on 'Top Of The Pops'.

The song peaked at number 4 in both America and the UK and the band had begun their journey of success.

Here is the success it achieved, with chart positions from Wikipedia.  It made number 1 in Canada and stayed in their charts for 25 weeks, which not a lot of people know!

'Heart & Soul' in America is like 'China In Your Hand' in the UK, popularity wise, and is about to feature in the American version of The X Factor!!  I wonder what a certain person has to say about that, mentioning no names!!  Lol!!

It was the bands' second single that really put Carol and T'Pau on the map, and this was 'China In Your Hand'.

China In Your Hand

Promotional video

T'Pau got their record deal on the merits of songs like 'Heart & Soul', 'Valentine', 'Sex Talk' and 'Monkey House'.  'China In Your Hand' hadn't even been written at that time, and when the iconic album 'Bridge Of Spies' was being recorded, there was one song that just wasn't working.

Carol was asked if she had any other songs that could 'fill the gap', and she pulled a tape out of her pocket and said "Well i've got this".  Which was "China" in its simplest form, much different to the "China" we are all used to.

Just think; if that one track hadn't been working on the album, "China" may never have seen the light of day!

'China' was released as a single, and unlike today, where if a song is destined to make number one in the charts, it will most likely enter the charts at number one,  back then, songs used to climb up the charts - 'China' entered the charts at number 42, and got to number one on its fourth week of release.  I suppose in those days, it made it more exciting for the artists with the anticipation!  Obviously a lot has changed now because of digital downloads.

'China' was number one for 5 weeks, was the longest serving number one of 1987 and even stopped former Beatle George Harrison from hitting that 'top spot' with 'Got My Mind Set On You'!!


Also, to add even more icing on the cake, 'China' was the 600th number one in the UK!

Here is chart positions from Wikipedia showing the success 'China' had.

Bridge Of Spies

When T'Pau's debut album 'Bridge Of Spies' was released, which ended up receiving a quadruple platinum status, and one home in ten in the UK owned a copy, which is a lot of record sales, it went to number one for two of the weeks 'China' was number one!  In the process, the album stopped yet another former Beatle from getting to number one, this time in the album charts.  This was Paul McCartney with 'All The Best'.

Being number one in both the album and singles chart was quite a rarity in those days, and I wouldn't even say it happens that often today.  Back in 1987, T'Pau were only one of 72 artists to have achieved this in over 50 years of chart history, and it cemented Carol and her bandmate's place in chart history!

Carol once said that Sir Elton John once went up to her and said "I haven't even done that"!!

'Bridge Of Spies' stayed in the UK charts for a staggering 59 weeks, and was the 23rd best selling album in the UK of the 80's!!

The #TPau25 Tour 2013 is celebrating the success of  'Bridge Of Spies', and it achieving 'quadruple platinum' status 25 years ago!!

Promotion for Bridge Of Spies

The Country seemed to be going T'Pau mad!
The band were supporting Bryan Adams when 'China' got to number one and Carol once joked, saying "We got the biggest cheers!!" - Well it's not often a support band has such success whilst they are touring, making it big at the same time.

Carol & Bryan Adams on tour back in 1987

A Bryan Adams advert with 'T'Pau' as support.  Look at the date, 3/11/1987.  The band would have been number one then with 'China In Your Hand!!'

I remember one of the first quotes I red about Carol, and it is one that carries so many complements :

"Springsteen in a split-skirt"

She was being compared to a world-wide multi-talented rock artist, and, in essence, that's exactly what Carol was " a multi-talented rocker".  She was renowned for her 'flame' coloured hair, her short skirts and her high-heels.  These were her trademarks!!  Not to mention, most importantly, her vocal talents!!

I would say there wasn't that many bands around at that time with female lead singers, which I would say was a bonus.  Carol was one of a kind, and has been described as "Streisand", to name a few.  From being able to sing such beautiful ballads, to 'rocking it up' live, she was so diverse, which is one of the reasons why T'Pau were so popular.

Carol was starting to appear on the front covers of a lot of magazines at the time :

Smash Hits



Number One





They even started to appear on the front covers of magizines for the more 'mature readers!'

Q Magazine



Record Collector



Decker/Rogers was the new writing partnership 'sensation'.  They both worked together so well, and to this day, the formula is still there.  They have both written with numerous artists, but they both know how each other ticks musically and they are still writing together.

You don't really get that many writing partnerships, that can spring to mind, nowadays do you?

Carol Decker/Ron Rogers-"The new writing sensation!".



Valentine

Valentine was the next single to be released from the album 'Bridge Of Spies'.  It entered the charts on 30/01/1988 until 19/03/1988.  It was in the charts for 8 weeks.

It was released to coincide with Valentines Day.  It peaked at number 9.  It is a beautiful song, and although it made top 10, I still think it deserved to go higher in the charts.

Promotion for Valentine

Promotional video

Sex Talk (Live)

Sex Talk (Live) first charted 02/04/1988 until 14/05/1988.  It stayed in the charts for 7 weeks and peaked at number 23.  Ronnie recently said on 'The Story Behind The Tracks' (to be mentioned later) that they released this live single to give fans a taste of what the band were like live and to 'attract' sales of tour tickets.  It certainly did the trick!!  T'Pau weren't just a band that sung ballads, they had some great 'rock' tracks like "Monkey House" and "Sex Talk" which were even more T'Powerful live!!

Promotion for Sex Talk (Live)

Promotional video

Live pictures from 'Sex Talk (Live) Single cover

The band doing what they do best - performing live!

I Will Be With You

I will be with you was the 5th and final track to be released in the UK, from the album Bridge Of Spies.  It entered the charts on 25/06/1988 until 30/07/1988, and was in the charts for 6 weeks.  It peaked at number 14.  A beautiful ballad and one of my all time favourite T'Pau songs.  The song made top ten in France, reaching number 9!!

Promotional video

Bridge Of Spies

This wasn't released in the UK as a single, but was released in Germany, and was included on the 'View From A Bridge' video, with all of the other videos, apart from "I Will Be With You".

Promotional video

Although the #TPau25 Tour 2013 is celebrating the success of 'Bridge Of Spies' and it achieving that 'quadruple platinum' status, the band continued with their success, writing and producing many more great 'iconic' tracks that would be performed at the #TPau25 Tour.

Rage

The band's second album was called 'Rage'.  It entered the charts on 05/11/1988 to 29/04/1989.  It stayed in the charts for 17 weeks and three singles were released from it.  It peaked at number four, (although it went to number 2 in Our Price!!)  Carol got the name from the title of a book she saw at an airport!!  The album went platinum, and although it didn't sell in mass as Bridge Of Spies, you tell me which artist today wouldn't be elated if they had a platinum selling album.  Platinum is 300,000 units, nearly a third of a million!!

The album was as diverse as you would expect any T'Pau album to be.  With ballads like 'Only The Lonely', 'Road To Our Dream' and 'Heaven', to real rocky tunes like 'Running Away', 'Taking Time Out' and 'Time Will Tell'.  Also 'Island', similar type song to 'Heart and Soul'.  That is what I like about T'Pau though, their 'diversity and not 'pigeon-holed' into one 'genre' of music.

Promotion for Rage

Secret Garden

Secret Garden entered the charts on 01/10/1988 to 12/11/1988 and stayed in the charts for seven weeks.  It peaked at number 18.  It was a very catchy tune, and again went to proove that T'Pau were more than just ballads.  The song reached top ten in Ireland getting to number 8!!

Promotional video

Road To Our Dream

Road To Our Dream first charted on 03/12/1988 to 21/01/1989 and stayed in the charts for seven weeks.  It peaked at number 42 in the charts. This song is one of my firm favourites and so deserved to do better.  

The song made top 40 in Ireland, reaching number 24!!

The song was so beautiful.  The big vocals from Carol that we are so used to and the backing instruments.  It has to be listened to loud though!!

Promotional video

Promotion for 'Road To Our Dream'

Here are the tour dates for 'Rage Across Europe', which brought them to Wembley Arena under their 'own steam!!'

Only The Lonely

Only The Lonely was the third and final single to be taken from Rage.  It charted 25/03/1989 to 29/04/1989 and stayed in the charts for 6 weeks.  It peaked at number 28.  This single was heavily promoted by the band.  The version that was issued as a single was a different version of that from the UK's version of Rage.  The band had re-recorded four tracks to be included on the Canadian version of Rage, and this was that version, called the 'guitar remix'.  

Another great ballad from the band.  When "Rage" was released, it was my favourite song on the album.  I still love it.

Photos from 'Only The Lonely photo-shoot

Promotional video

Promotion for 'Only The Lonely'

I do remember when the video came out and people were saying "Carol Decker in jeans?  Where are the mini-skirts!!"  It was as though Carol had committed a crime!!  I think you can see some of the comments under the video on You Tube.  Here is a picture of Carol which was her 'image' to promote the song.  I think she looks great!!

T'Pau were to take 'time out' now.  Basically, they had run out of material!! They had plenty of songs whilst touring with Bridge Of Spies, which is why 'Rage' was released head off the heals of Bridge Of Spies, but they needed new material.  Also they had toured five times, which is why the tour during Bridge Of Spies was called the 5th tour.

The band didn't want to let the fans down by rushing something out which was not to the high standard the band was used to producing and the fans were used to hearing.

They had full backing from their record label 'Siren' as they didn't want anything less than what they knew T'Pau's capabilities were.  So no 'rush' job.

The Promise

The Promise, the band's 3rd album entered the charts on 22nd June 1991 and stayed there until 3rd August.  It was in the charts for 7 weeks and peaked at number 10.  This was their 3rd top ten album, and it achieved 'gold' status.

Carol was being interviewed on TVAM/GMTV and said what I had already mentioned, they would only release an album they thought was to the best of their capabilities, and what the fans would expect from them, and that their record label totally agreed and backed them up on this.

Before the album was released, Carol was on the Simon Bates' radio show promoting the album.  Potential hit after hit kept being played; Whenever You Need Me, Soul Destruction, Only A Heartbeat, to name a few.

When I heard it in it's entirety when it was released, I thought, 'Wow!'  I loved it.  It had the diversity of the first two albums, but it was 'polished' if that makes sense.

The record label came up with a genius plan to promote the album;  the person who did the best window display in any Our Price record stores would win a trip to America!!  I remember seeing quite a few displays locally!! 

A bit of trivia for you all!!  Andy Richards, who produced this 'fantastic' album, produced the soundtrack for 'Slumdog Millionaire' and won an oscar for it!! Only the best for Carol and co!!

The Promise is just as good as any previous T'Pau album; still having the 'diversity' of different tracks, which is one of the reasons, to this day, their music is still loved.

Whenever You Need Me

This was the first single to be released from the album, and was one of my favourite tracks from the album.  It got great reviews, and on the Radio 1 'new releases' show, everybody loved it and said how catchy it was.  It was definitely a hit to them!!

It entered the charts 18/05/1991 until 22/06/1991, and was in the charts for 6 weeks.  It peaked at number 16, and this was the groups' highest chart position since Bridge Of Spies!!  It is a beautiful song and so catchy with the 'drum-chorus'.  

Here is the video to it.  By the way, the record label definitely 'glammed' Carol up for the release of this song, she looks stunning in the video.

Promotional video

A very rarely seen 1991 promo photo

Walk On Air

A rare photo taken with the "Walk On Air" promo photos.

The bands' second single from The Promise entered the charts on 27/07/1991 until 03/08/1991.  

A beautiful song with such meaningful lyrics. 

There were some lovely promo photos taken in 1991

Promotional video to 'Walk On Air'

A beautiful video.  Carol looks stunning!

Soul Destruction

Soul Destruction was released in September of 1991 and was to be the last single release of The Promise. The single version was different to that of the album version, it had been remixed.  It was more rocky and had more of an influence of Dean's guitar 'skills'!  Also, it was more 'dancy' and very catchy.

Promotional video to 'Soul Destruction'

Only A Heartbeat

There was another single which was released, but not in this country.   It was called "Only A Heartbeat".   It was released in Japan.  It was a great 'anthem' type song.  A rocky ballad, catchy drum beats and stunning vocals.  

Promotional video to 'Only A Heartbeat'

Here is some of T'Paus achievements : 

• Three top 10 albums
• A quadruple selling album
• The 600th number one
• Stopping a Beatle (George Harrison) from getting to number one in the singles chart!!
• Stopping another Beatle (Sir Paul McCartney) from getting to number one in the albums chart!!
• 8 top 40 singles
• Huge success in America with Heart And Soul
• Generated 20% of Virgin profits worldwide in 1988 (as quoted by Carol)
• Selling over 5 million records worldwide
• Simultaneous number 1 single and album at the same time, which was not very common 25 years ago.
• 164 weeks of weekly-chart appearances in the UK alone
• A number 1 in Canada with Heart And Soul
• having the 23rd best selling UK album of the 1980's!!

It's because of the above that Carol & T'Pau are so fondly remembered and why people love to see her perform live, to this day.

There was no way that the 25th anniversary of T'Pau making 'their mark' on the music scene would pass without some kind of celebration, especially when you look at their achievements above!!