English singer James Ure was born 70 years ago in Cambuslang, Scotland, is married and has 4 daughters. He is also a songwriter, producer and musician.
Until he was 15, Midge went to high school and afterwards attended a technical college. Once he finished his studies, he got an engineering job.
His first music experience was playing with the band ‘Stumble’ for about 2 years. In 1972, he became a member of the group ‘Salvation’ as a guitarist and gave performances in Scottish discotheques. After one of his bandmates left the group, Midge took his place as the band’s singer plus continuing to play the guitar.
That same year, the group’s name was changed to ‘Silk’. Two years later, they had a number one UK single ‘Forever and Ever’ and once again changed the band’s name to ‘PVC2’ as well as their music style to punk rock. They went on to release a single named ‘Put you in the Picture’.
Midge decided to leave the group a few months later and joined another one named ‘Rich Kids’. This band, however, was short-lived and split. In 1978, Ure created the band ‘Visage’, and their first single ‘Tar’ was released but proved unsuccessful. In 1980, however, the page turned, and the group had the international hit ‘Fade to Grey’.
Ure also collaborated with the group ‘Thin Lizzy’ by playing several instruments for their songs as well as during one of their tours. Then, in 1979, he ‘revived’ the band ‘Ultravox’ originally formed in 1974 under the name of ‘Tiger Lily’.
The single ‘Vienna’, written by Midge Ure himself, was a big hit and remains as the band’s signature song. It peaked to number one on the music charts of several countries. Although Midge left the group in 1982, he still participated in the band’s albums that were released in the following years and had another Top 10 hit single ‘Dancing with tears in my Eyes’.
Ure pursued a solo career in 1985 and as a solo artist, released 36 albums and 25 singles. He had 2 number one hits in a couple of countries, namely ‘If I Was’ and ‘Breathe’ in 1985 and 1996 respectively. He has also published an autobiography.
Midge is also an active philanthropist and helped many charitable organisations. In 1984, together with Bob Geldof, he created the group ‘Band Aid’ consisting of a large number of famous musicians and music artists with the intention of raising funds for famine in Ethiopia. So, the following year, Ure and Geldof wrote the song ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’ and highly managed to reach their goal as the song was a worldwide hit that Christmas and sold millions of copies just in the first weeks of release.
Earlier this month, James held a concert at the Royal Albert Hall to mark his 70th birthday.
*Image: no infringement intended. Source: rottentomatoes.com