Steve Jolley (1950) and Tony Swain (January
20, 1952)
were a successful pop musician, songwriting and record
production duo in the United Kingdom in the early to mid-1980s, producing
some of the top artists and songs of the era.
The pair originally met in 1975 when Swain was working as a television
cameraman
on The Muppet Show. Swain left to
pursue a career as a songwriter/record producer while Jolley released a
single and an album with The English Boys in 1980. In 1981 they reunited to
produce the debut single "Body Talk" for Imagination. They
produced four albums
for the group
and eight hit singles including "Just an
Illusion" which peaked at number two in the UK
Singles Chart. At the same time they produced albums and singles for Bananarama,
including the classic "Cruel Summer".
They subsequently produced the True
album for Spandau Ballet, the title
track reaching Number one in the UK chart in 1983, and its
follow-up Parade.
They also produced the Alf album for Alison
Moyet on which the pair shared songwriting and musician credits for
many of the tracks, and were nominated for a BRIT
Award for the song, "Love Resurrection".
In 1985 they released their own (instrumental) album,
"Backtrackin'", from which "Soul Street" was released as single.
They subsequently worked with Diana
Ross, Tom Robinson, Errol
Brown and Wang Chung, as well as Louise
Goffin (daughter of Carole King and Jerry Goffin). After splitting up Swain
went on to produce Kim Wilde's million-selling Close
album. Jolley set up a record label under his surname.
In 2001
Jolley was jailed
for sexually
assaulting a 12 year old boy. He was arrested again in 2003 by detectives
investigating allegations of child sexual abuse against TV presenter
and actor,
Matthew
Kelly.
Swain is now head A&R Consultant for Universal
Records International.
External links
