Name Chris Hughes | ||
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Role Music Producer · chrishughesproducer.com Children Hollie Rose Hughes, Alexa Louise Florence Hughes Albums Kings of the Wild Frontier, Prince Charming, Shift (Remastered), Shift: From the Music of Steve Reich Similar People | ||
Propaganda 1234 - Only One Word
Christopher Merrick Hughes (born 3 March 1954, London, England), also known as Merrick, is a British music producer and former drummer, acoustic guitarist and keyboards player for Adam and the Ants. Best known as producer of Tears for Fears' Songs from the Big Chair, and as the co-writer of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", Hughes has a joint background as a musician, songwriter and producer. His career began with Adam and The Ants as drummer and producer of the "Kings of the Wild Frontier" and "Cartrouble" singles, then the Kings of the Wild Frontier album. Yielding three hit singles, the album earned Hughes Music Week 's 'Producer of the Year Award'.
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Life and career
Hughes was educated at Emanuel School in London, and was a member of Adam and the Ants, also producing their albums, Kings of the Wild Frontier and Prince Charming. Hughes was awarded Music Week’s "Producer of the Year" award for his work on the album, Kings of the Wild Frontier. He co-wrote Tears for Fears' hit song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", and produced their first two albums, the platinum-selling The Hurting and the multi-platinum Songs from the Big Chair. He began working with the band again on their third album, The Seeds of Love, but left the project due to creative differences. Hughes also produced The Electric Soft Parade's debut album, Holes in the Wall, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize, and Propaganda's 1234. Hughes was also a member of Dalek I Love You and co-produced Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain".
In February 1994, Hughes released Shift, his first solo album, which was re-released in July 2008. Shift was a tribute to American minimalist composer, Steve Reich. In 1972, Hughes' father took him to London to see Reich's performance of Drumming. Hughes credits Reich as a driving influence in his career. Shift uses fragments of Reich's work and "subjects it to subtle manipulations using the technology of recorded sound".
At db records, Hughes worked on the early development of Tom McRae and The Electric Soft Parade, producing debut albums that were both nominated for a Mercury Music Prize.
The first solo release by Hughes, Shift, was a re-working of compositions by Steve Reich, and was originally released on the Fontana label in February 1994. It was re-released by Helium Records in July 2008.
Hughes has worked with many artists including: Adam and the Ants, Tears For Fears, Robert Plant, Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Wang Chung, Tom McRae, The Electric Soft Parade, Propaganda, Howard Jones, Lloyd Cole, Jon Bon Jovi, Tori Amos, Crybaby, Stackridge and Sam Brookes.
His latest album Eirenic Life, released on Helium Records 14th July 2017.