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The girls in the Human League


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Old 10-02-2016, 23:50
Leicester_Hunk
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Is it just me who thinks they can't actually sing?

Just listening to Absolute 80s.
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Old 11-02-2016, 05:08
SuperAPJ
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It's not just you!

I saw a programme recently about 80s music and I think even the girls themselves said they were picked for the group in spite of their lack of singing ability.
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Old 11-02-2016, 07:22
Deb Arkle
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Yes - IIRC Phil Oakey saw them dancing one night, and did the classic "D'ya wanna join my band?" without hearing them sing.
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Old 11-02-2016, 09:10
Gulftastic
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They aren't the greatest singers, but they can carry a tune, and their voice and style fit the band to perfection.

As noted above, they don't claim to be Christina Aguilera in the vocal department.
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Old 11-02-2016, 09:23
konebyvax
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One of them (the blonde one) used to go to the same gym as me in the 80s. She was afforded rock star status by some lol (the band were big in the 80s don't forget!) but I always found her very approachable.

By no means the best singers out there but never pretended be either. I believe the dark one went on to be Mrs Oakley? Unless i dreamt that.....

PS Am I making it too obvious I don't remember their names??
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Old 11-02-2016, 09:47
mushymanrob
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joanne catherall , susan sulley.

i liked em, product of punk (in as much as they really were 'do it yourself' ) which didnt require perfection but allowed anyone to have a go.
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Old 11-02-2016, 09:54
Deb Arkle
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Their Wiki pages are interesting reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Ann_Sulley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanne_Catherall

They both come across as nice people, grateful for the chance they were given.
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Old 11-02-2016, 11:10
mgvsmith
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joanne catherall , susan sulley.

i liked em, product of punk (in as much as they really were 'do it yourself' ) which didnt require perfection but allowed anyone to have a go.
Yeah, the punk ethic I guess. It really worked well for The Human League. I saw them before and after the girls joined. They were very experimental the first time and then pure synthpop the second time. Excellent both times.
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Old 11-02-2016, 11:14
JohnnyForget
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They aren't the greatest singers, but they can carry a tune, and their voice and style fit the band to perfection.

As noted above, they don't claim to be Christina Aguilera in the vocal department.
That's true, but I'd much rather listen to Human League than Christine Aguilera or any one of the wailing, warbling divas who've come along since the heyday of Human League.
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Old 11-02-2016, 12:39
mgvsmith
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That's true, but I'd much rather listen to Human League than Christine Aguilera or any one of the wailing, warbling divas who've come along since the heyday of Human League.
That kind of quirky, experimental, DIY, risky, (essentially British?) music seems to be missing from the mainstream nowadays. Roxy and Japan had a lot of that as well.
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Old 11-02-2016, 13:12
mushymanrob
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Yeah, the punk ethic I guess. It really worked well for The Human League. I saw them before and after the girls joined. They were very experimental the first time and then pure synthpop the second time. Excellent both times.
i saw them in december 81 at derby assembly rooms... they played (of course) 'dont you want me', (imho their weakest single) which was #1 at the time . the only time ive ever heard the current #1 live - i guess its not that common an event?

agreed about jo n sue over any warbling bint, the thing about jo n sue is that they were one of us, ordinary people, they werent perfect, they werent polished, just like most of us. they were criticised for their dancing too... but who cares? i liked em, they were great!
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Old 11-02-2016, 13:24
Ella Nut
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Not just you. However I like what they bring to the HL's songs. There's a certain charm, However they're definitely better when singing together, Susan being the better vocalist I think.
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Old 11-02-2016, 14:27
Floydy64
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Better singers than the girls in Bananarama

Last edited by Floydy64 : 11-02-2016 at 14:28. Reason: Spelling
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Old 11-02-2016, 15:32
Mrs C
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Human League played Retrolicious two years ago in Singapore - they were brilliant! I love how they still live in Sheffield and are still together
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Old 11-02-2016, 18:02
Deb Arkle
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Better singers than the girls in Bananarama
Oh god yes! I saw them at Butlins at an 80s weekend, my ears felt like they were bleeding for hours - people queueing to get in were asking why we were leaving so early, we suggested they try listening for just a very short while!
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