The Stars from the Here & Now 1980s Concert on Saturday 11th August Part 2

In 3 weeks time 7 stars from the 1980s will perform their classic hits at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and ‘80s Concert on Saturday 11th August. Today we take a look at another two stars and how they became so popular.

 
Belinda Carlisle

Belinda Carlisle makes a welcome return to the ‘80s Day line up having wowed the crowd in 2010. Once of the Go-Gos, Belinda Carlisle launched her solo career in 1996. She didn’t have to wait long for a number one, when the next year “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” reached number 1 in the UK and seven other countries, including the US. Belinda went on a have a further five top ten hits, including “Leave A Light On” in 1989 and “(We Want) The Same Thing” one year later.




Midge Ure

James ‘Midge’ Ure, OBE is a guitarist, singer, keyboard player and songwriter from north of the border. He enjoyed particular success in the 1970s and 1980s in bands including Slik, Thin Lizzy, The Rich Kids, Visage and most notably as the frontman of Ultravox. Midge co-wrote and produced the charity single “Do They Know It's Christmas?” and co-organised Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8 with Bob Geldof. Ure acts as trustee for the charity, and serves as ambassador for Save The Children.

His stage name, Midge, is a phonetic reversal of Jim, the diminutive form of his real name. Ascot is indeed honoured to have a such a legend performing on the hallowed Old Paddock turf, belting out his 1980 track “Vienna” (famously beaten to the top spot by Joe Dolce's novelty hit “Shaddap You Face” – but the less said about that the better!)


To see these artists perform at the Here & Now Concert on Saturday 11th August plus watch some thrilling horseracing action from Britains premier jockey competition, call 0844 346 3000 or visit ascot.co.uk. Tickets from £26. Generous group discounts available.


Don't forget children under 18 and all entertainment is included in the ticket price!

The Stars from the Here & Now 1980s Concert on Saturday 11th August

In 4 weeks time 7 stars from the 1980s will perform their classic hits at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and ‘80s Concert on Saturday 11th August. Over the coming weeks we’ll reveal how these artists became so popular.

Today we’re starting with Howard Jones and lead singer of Katrina and the Waves, Katrina Leskanich.

Howard Jones

There are few artists who came to prominence in the eighties who are as prolific and hard working as Howard Jones. He seems to be constantly out on tour or creating diverse and superbly crafted albums in his Somerset studio.

In the early ‘80s Howard met David Stopps, promoter of the Friars Club in Aylesbury. Stopps became his manager and he secured a residency at the legendary Marquee Club in London. The rest, as they say, is history. Howard had a string of hits including “New Song”, “What Is Love”, “Hide And Seek” and “Like To Get To Know You Well”. To date, Howard has sold a whopping eight million albums.

Katrina Leskanich

Former lead singer of Katrina and the Waves, Katrina is one of the few women from the 80s who is still performing and recording. Born in Kansas, U.S.A., Katrina Leskanich moved to England in 1976.  Growing up with the West Coast sound (Fleetwood Mac, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Heart) she, together with fellow American and future Wave, Vince de la Cruz, formed the band Mama’s Cookin’.

In 1983, Katrina and Vince joined The Waves and she picked up on some of their musical influences such as Etta James, Velvet Underground and the Stones. The band became Katrina and the Waves and they had their first break in 1984 when The Bangles covered their song “Going Down To Liverpool”.  This drew attention to the group and lead to an international deal with Capitol Records. 

Their first single signed to Capitol was “Walking on Sunshine” and it was an international smash hit in 1985 and has become a feel good classic which is one of the UK’s most played summertime radio tracks.  Incredibly it’s been played over 2 million times in the U.S.A.

To see these artists perform at the Here & Now Concert on Saturday 11th August plus watch some thrilling horseracing action from Britains premier jockey competition, call 0844 346 3000 or visit ascot.co.uk. Tickets from £26. Generous group discounts available.

Don't forget children under 18 and all entertainment is included in the ticket price!