Genres Pop Active until 1997 | Years active 1984–1997, 2015– Genre Pop music | |
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Associated acts Dirty RayWeatherill and LambLos Fools Past members Kevin WeatherillPaul WeatherillAndy RossPeter RossBarry WickensPaul SkidmoreIan DevlinBrian BettsNick ThomasAlex ValentineAdam FuestPhil Redfox OsullivanChristian PattemorePhil Andrews Albums Turn The Whole World Down, Dumb Poet Members Kevin Weatherill, Paul Weatherill, Barry Wickens, Andy Ross, Peter Ross Similar DIRTY RAY, Los Pistones, Nublues, Dirty Blues Band, Jerry Moss Profiles | ||
Immaculate fools another man s world
Immaculate Fools were a pop group formed in 1984, who had their biggest success in 1985 with the single "Immaculate Fools", and continued until 1997, releasing six studio albums before splitting up. In 2015 Kevin Weatherill reformed the group with new members.
Contents
Immaculate fools falling apart together
Formation, album history and tours
The band was formed in Kent, England by two sets of brothers: Kevin Weatherill (vocals, guitar) and Paul Weatherill (bass, vocals), and brothers Andy Ross (guitar) and Peter Ross (drums), the sons of saxophonist Ronnie Ross.
The band's single "Immaculate Fools" reached No. 51 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1985. Their debut album, Hearts of Fortune, reached No. 65 in the UK Albums Chart the same year. The band toured Europe extensively, building a strong following in Spain, where they made several television appearances.
In 1987 the band's second album, Dumb Poet, was well received by critics (including a five-star review in Sounds magazine), although it did not repeat the first album's commercial success. The album did, however, give the band a second charting single with "Tragic Comedy."
The band underwent a major line-up change when the Ross brothers left, with Barry Wickens (violin), Brian Betts (guitar), Paul Skidmore (drums) and Ian Devlin (keyboards) joining for the Another Man's World album. The band set up a recording studio in a farmhouse (Woodhouse) on the Welsh borders near Ludlow. For the band's final two albums, Woodhouse and Kiss and Punch, the Weatherill brothers were joined by Wickens, Betts, and Nick Thomas (drums).
They continued to record music and occasionally tour until they formally split up in 1997.
After the breakup
Kevin Weatherill, who was not only the lead vocalist but also the main songwriter of the band, continues to record and tour both in the UK and Europe under the name Dirty Ray. In 2010 he worked with Miles Hunt (of the band Wonderstuff) and violinist Erica Nockalls to produce the album Big World for a Little Man.
Andy Ross went on to work with Basia, Howard Jones, Miguel Bosé, and Tori Amos. In 2013 Andy Ross won an award at the Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival in New Zealand for his short film, Well Beyond Water, about the plight of drought affected farmers in New South Wales.
Reformation
In December 2014 Kevin Weatherill ( Dirty Ray ) announced on his website that Immaculate Fools are to reform in 2015, initially playing some gigs in Spain, Portugal and Italy and then embarking on a UK tour. In February 2015 the band began recording a new album titled "Turn the whole world down", the album is produced by Adam Fuest(Blancmange, Baby Shambles, B.A.D., Big Audio Dynamite, Screaming Target, Catatonia).
The reformed act toured Spain in 2015 with new members Linda Lamb [Bass] Adam Fuest [Guitar] Helen Watt [Violin] Phil Redfox Osullivan [Drums] Alex Valentine [Keyboards].
For the Spring Tour of Spain in 2016, Immaculate Fools were joined by touring members Christian Pattemore and Phil Andrews of Thieves of Time on Bass and Keyboards/Mandolin respectively. On the break up of Immaculate Fools 2015/2016 this statement was made http://immaculatefools.uk/the-statement
In the summer of 2016, following Kevin Weatherill's relocation to Spain, the logistics of continuing the band in its current form became problematic. Adam Fuest and Kevin Weatherill parted company and Kevin formed a new seven piece version of the band featuring local Spanish and UK musicians and continues to perform in Spain. Kevin Weatherill also continues to perform under the name Dirty Ray with Paco Charlín and Naíma Acuña.
Albums
Compilation albums
Singles
Songs
Tragic ComedyDumb Poet · 1987
Got Me by the HeartAnother Man's World · 1990
Another Man's WorldAnother Man's World · 1990