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The Herald Scotland
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
I was a has-been at 23 says Scots singer behind one of 1980s top tunes
But it all begs the question; at 71 Ure is still young compared to Jagger and Elton and Rod. But what drives the musician to drive around California? 'Well, it's not that I have a proper job,' he says, grinning. Read more Ure did attempt a 'proper job' once upon a time, working as an engineering apprenticeship in East Kilbride. But music was too big a pull. Indeed, the teenage James Ure had 'Clapton is god' stencilled on the back of his dust jacket. 'Yet, the chances of strapping a guitar to your back and developing a career in music were extremely remote,' he recalls. 'The music industry was London or Liverpool centric. Meanwhile, my dad [a van driver] wanted something better for my older brother and I. [Than a bottom flat in a close]. He was being sensible.' Midge Ure took the less sensible route. He joined a band, Salvation, which renamed as Slik, had a No I hit with Forever and Ever, managed by songwriters Bill Martin and Phil Coulter. Ure's experience with the acerbic, egotistical Clydebank-born Martin proved to be a life lesson. Martin once delivered the put-down; 'Midge was good, but not as good as he thought he was.' Bill Martin also decreed that Slik perform his songs. And wouldn't let young Midge play on the record. 'When we talk about Bill Martin, it makes me realise that everything I've done since Slik has been a backlash to Slik,' he reveals. 'I felt I had my 15 minutes [of pop fame] and never got a chance to prove myself. And at 23, I was a has-been. So, I've constantly been trying not to be the pop star, but instead the guy who is interested in record production and new technology - which takes you into weird and wonderful places.' Midge Ure has described his life as running up a down escalator. 1977, he ran towards punk with the Rich Kids, then formed electronic outfit Visage and enjoyed success with two albums and the hit single, Fade to Grey. Yet meantime, he became the frontman with Ultravox. 'When we first went into a studio and plugged in it was the most exciting thing I'd ever done in my life. We had nothing in our pockets. We had no future. But the music we played was phenomenal.' However, the cool Ure head measured expectations. 'We went to America in 1979 to try and get a record deal and one guy interviewed us and complimented us on how well we spoke English. Looking back, I think he thought we were Kraftwerk. What chance had we got?' Read more Pop chart success didn't matter, yet the anthemic single Vienna did chart, reaching No 2. Was the cool head turned a little? 'Oh god, yeah, it's a heady drug fame, isn't it? At one point you are 'Wee Jim,' and then you're 'Midge.' And suddenly you find yourself attractive to the opposite sex. But equally so, you become the target of someone's next punch because his girlfriend fancied you.' Midge Ure's life altered dramatically. Married to model Annabel Giles with a daughter, the family lived in a eight-bedroom house in Chiswick, the garage full of beautiful cars. He bought a house in Montserrat. And a volcano destroyed it. It was a metaphor for how life can blow up in your face. After Ultravox moved away from each other, Ure carved out a solo career but found himself being hounded by the tax man for half a million. Then his marriage broke apart and he found himself with two homes to support.' But one of the cleverest things he had done when the money was coming in was to build a studio in his back garden. 'It was a massive investment, and everyone thought I was crazy, but I knew that record companies drop the moment your last record fails. So, this meant I could keep going.' Ure developed as a solo artist, with hits such as If I Was. And although he loved being in a band, he was at times reluctant to share his visions. He grins. 'It's a real madness. You end up working four times harder to create something. I once spent 12 years making a new record. It's absolutely crazy.' The musician however was more than happy to the Princes Trust Rock Gala band, playing with the likes of Elton and Eric, the guitar god whose name he had on his back.' But hang on; Midge Ure has always been the band leader. How did that dynamic work out? 'On the one hand it was intimidating - to say the least - and how could I be musical director with guys who had outsold me a gazillion times. 'But there's a leveller, and that's the realisation that all these musicians started out the same way as you, playing covers in little local bands. And even if you've got Phil Collins on drums and Mark Knopfler on guitar they don't assume they're The Big I Am.' He grins. 'As for the musical direction in rehearsals, it became about diplomacy.' Did he have to correct Elton at any time? He laughs. 'It was more like 'Elton, could you stop disappearing in between songs for a cup of tea.'' There was another commonality. Every one of these performers had had to battle with their own demons. Having re-married to actor Sheridan Forbes, the couple had three daughters, but Ure too had developed a serious drink problem. It began as recreational fun, a post gig relaxant, but became a next day necessity, then a spiral downwards into the void. It was only when one of his daughters caught him secretly swigging from the vodka bottle that he gave up. Midge Ure in Ultravox (Image: unknown) Ure acknowledges that the extremes we enjoy/endure in life can sometimes fuel the artist. 'Songs don't come from books,' he maintains. 'They come from life. So, I get up in the morning, go to a computer and twiddle knows, rather than drive a baker's van like my dad. For me, it's all about doing something that's real and honest and totally heartfelt.' His politics has become more focused over the years. 'I'm disgusted with humanity. We all are. I was born Protestant and after being in London for years, I came back, and someone asked me what religion my pals in London were. I said I had no idea - and it never struck me to ask. And it made me think that in growing up in an environment like that you ask yourself 'What in the world is going on?' And you look around and you see all these conflicts going on because of religion.' What's apparent is the performer has always been his own, focused, hard grafting man. 'I didn't want to do DJ remixes, for example. Why hand over your work to person who's only knowledge of music is how to put a needle on it? Of course, the result can be the situation where the record label calls and tell you've been dropped can happen. But there's nothing you can do about it. And I didn't take rejections personally.' What's his biggest regret? Is it getting the tense all wrong in the lyric of If I Was? 'You have to blame my pal Danny Mitchell for that,' he smiles. 'He wrote it.' Has there ever been a time he hasn't enjoyed a performance? 'Yes, when I was invited to the girls' school, to play and talk about Band Aid,' he says with a dry smile. 'Watching my kids slide down through the floor in sheer embarrassment was hell.' He's still on the escalator then, ready to play in Glasgow? 'It's not for the money. That's a scarce thing, but it's for the love of it. And if you know how to do it . . .' He laughs. 'And yes, the steps are still there, although like me they move a little slower.' Midge Ure plays Big Nights Out, the Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow, on June 6.
San Francisco Chronicle
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
He helped create Live Aid 40 years ago. Now he's coming to San Francisco
Midge Ure, the veteran British musician and co-architect of the historic Live Aid concerts, is coming to San Francisco as part of his 'Band in a Box' tour. This stripped-down yet sonically rich performance showcases his decades-long influence on electronic and pop music. The tour kicks off at the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena on May 17, before heading to the Chapel on May 18. Ure promises an intimate yet technologically dynamic show, joined by longtime collaborator Charlie Round Turner. The performance will blend guitars, synthesizers, loops and samples, merging past and present in a way only Ure can. 'I've been on Top of the Pops more times in different guises than anyone,' Ure said, reflecting on his colorful career. He's been a member of the 1970s boy band Slik, the punk act Rich Kids, as well as Visage, and even briefly played with Thin Lizzy. He also auditioned for the Sex Pistols before finding his true musical home with Ultravox. 'As they say, you have to kiss many frogs before you find your prince or princess,' said Ure, 71. 'Most people don't just jump into the first band and become successful. As I was growing up, the bands I was part of were either famous or infamous. I was searching for my musical home, and I found it the day I joined Ultravox.' True to his restless spirit, Ure walked away from Ultravox at the peak of its success. 'If we weren't human, things would go on forever,' he said. 'But we all grow at different rates and pull in different directions. When a band reaches that point, you either walk away and start anew, or you stick with it and pretend you're having a great time.' In addition to his musical legacy, Ure is revisiting his pivotal role in Live Aid. Co-organized with Bob Geldof in 1985, the twin concerts in London and Philadelphia raised millions for Ethiopian famine relief and helped launch the legendary Band Aid single, 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' — sung by an all-star group featuring Bono, George Michael, Duran Duran and numerous others. The initiative inspired the stage musical 'Just for One Day', which will soon head to London's West End. 'Naivety is a wonderful thing,' Ure said, reflecting on the groundbreaking event that marks its 40th anniversary this year. 'It emboldens you. 'Nothing's impossible when you're in your 20s. It enables you to think beyond the realms of possibility. I think if we tried to do it today, it would fall flat on its face.' Despite his rich past, Ure remains focused on the present and future. He's been working on a new album for nearly a decade, but takes his time with it. 'It takes as long as it takes,' he said. 'I don't want to go back 40 years and just rehash what the young Midge did.' 'You follow your path,' he said. 'Sometimes it takes you into something you'd never imagined.'
Irish Daily Star
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Music fans are just learning what Midge Ure's stage name means after 56 years
Scottish singer-songwriter and record producer Midge Ure, whose career has spanned several decades, is a testament to enduring musical talent. He found fame in the 70s and 80s with bands like Slik, Thin Lizzy, Rich Kids, Visage and most notably as Ultravox's frontman after John Foxx left. Under his leadership, Ultravox soared in the charts for six years until he chose to dissolve the band. In addition, he co-wrote and produced the 1984 charity hit "Do They Know It's Christmas?", and played a pivotal role in putting together the legendary Band Aid ensemble, marking him as a major figure in music history. Despite his long-standing presence in the spotlight, not everyone knows how he came by his stage name. A recent Reddit discussion brought this to light, much to the fascination of fans. A user posted: "James 'Midge' Ure OBE (born 10 October 1953) is a British musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. "His stage name, Midge, is a phonetic reversal of Jim, the diminutive form of his actual name. "In 1984, he co-wrote and produced the charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' Interestingly, Midge Ure's stage name is a phonetic reversal of his birth name, Jim." The backstory is that to avoid mix-ups with Salvation bandmate Jim McGinlay, they flipped James' nickname "Jim" to "Midge" thus creating the unique moniker. Midge Ure, now 71, has had a colourful career in the music industry, starting from his early days with the band Salvation to becoming a significant figure in the music world. When Kevin McGinlay left Salvation, Midge Ure took over as the lead vocalist. The band was then renamed Slik and scored a UK number one single in 1976 with "Forever and Ever", thanks to the songwriting talents of Bill Martin and Phil Coulter. Bob Geldof and Midge Ure pictured during the recording of the Band Aid single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (Image: Getty Images) Interestingly, about a year before this success, Midge Ure declined an offer to join the Sex Pistols, believing that music mogul Malcolm McLaren, who worked with the band, had "his priorities completely wrong". Despite his initial doubts about the punk scene, Midge's musical direction changed as Slik evolved into PVC2 in an attempt to align with the punk aesthetic. He later formed Rich Kids with ex-Sex Pistol and Blondie touring member Glen Matlock, before joining Visage in 1978 and Ultravox a year later, contributing to some of the most iconic songs of the era. Today, the singer is still very active in the music industry. He tours extensively and continues to work on new music. The star's electronic duo with Charlie Round Turner are heading back to the USA to play a few shows in May. He's also set to tour Australia later this year too.
Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scots floored to discover what Midge Ure's stage name means after 56 years
Scottish singer-songwriter and record producer Midge Ure has had a career spanning over five decades - but not everyone knows what his stage name actually stands for Scottish singer-songwriter and record producer Midge Ure, who has enjoyed a successful career spanning decades, is one musician who has truly stood the test of time. He achieved considerable success in the 1970s and 1980s, playing in bands such as Slik, Thin Lizzy, Rich Kids, Visage and notably as the second bandleader of Ultravox after John Foxx's departure. His leadership helped propel the band to high chart positions for six years before he decided to disband the group. Moreover, in 1984, he co-wrote and produced the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?", and was instrumental in assembling the iconic Band Aid group. In short, he's known for his significant contributions to the music industry. Despite being in the public eye for over five decades, not everyone is aware of the origin of his stage name. The topic recently surfaced on Reddit, leaving fans surprised by the revelation. One user shared: "James 'Midge' Ure OBE (born 10 October 1953) is a British musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. His stage name, Midge, is a phonetic reversal of Jim, the diminutive form of his actual name. "In 1984, he co-wrote and produced the charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' Interestingly, Midge Ure's stage name is a phonetic reversal of his birth name, Jim." The story behind this is that in an attempt to avoid confusion with his Salvation bandmate, Jim McGinlay, they decided to reverse James' nickname "Jim" to "Midge", creating a phonetic reversal. Midge Ure, now 71, has had a dynamic career trajectory, from his early days in the band Salvation to his rise as a prominent figure in the music industry. After taking over vocal duties when singer Kevin McGinlay left Salvation, the band was renamed Slik and achieved a UK number one single in 1976 with "Forever and Ever", thanks to the songwriting prowess of Bill Martin and Phil Coulter. Interestingly, about a year before this success, Midge Ure turned down an opportunity to join the Sex Pistols, believing that music mogul Malcolm McLaren, who put the band together, had "his priorities completely wrong". Despite his initial reservations about the punk scene, Midge's direction shifted as Slik transformed into PVC2 in an attempt to align with the punk aesthetic. He later formed Rich Kids with ex-Sex Pistol and Blondie touring member Glen Matlock, before joining Visage in 1978 and Ultravox a year later, contributing to some of the most iconic songs of the era. Nowadays, the singer is still super active in the music industry. He tours extensively and continues to work on new music. The star's electronic duo with Charlie Round Turner are heading back to the USA to play a few shows in May. He's also set to tour Australia later this year too.
