Band & Artist Dossier

Madness

Origin: Camden Town, London, England · Active Years: 1976-1986, 1992-present

A detailed catalogue profile for Madness.

In this archive

1 album / credit record(s) · Ska/2 Tone

Madness are an English ska and pop band from Camden Town, north west London, formed in 1976 out of the North London Invaders, a lineup that included Mike Barson (keyboards), Chris Foreman (guitar) and Lee Thompson (saxophone), with Graham 'Suggs' McPherson taking over lead vocals in 1977. One of the most prominent bands of the late-1970s/early-1980s two-tone ska revival, Madness's most successful period ran from 1980 to 1986, when their singles spent a record-tying 214 weeks on the UK singles chart, producing 16 UK top-ten hits including 'Baggy Trousers', 'One Step Beyond' and the number one 'House of Fun'.

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Band Lineup & Member Profiles

Lead vocals
1977-1986, 1992-present
Frontman who joined in 1977 after being spotted performing at a friend's garden party.
Keyboards
1976-1986, 1992-present
Founding keyboardist ('Monsieur Barso') and a key early songwriter.
Guitar
1976-1986, 1992-present
Founding guitarist known as 'Chrissy Boy'.
Saxophone
1976-1986, 1992-present
Founding saxophonist known as 'Kix'.
Bass/vocals/dancer
1976-1986, 1992-present
Early member who returned as vocalist and dancer, coining the band's 'nutty' stage persona.
Drums
1978-1986, 1992-present
Drummer ('Woody') who joined in 1978.
Bass
1978-1986, 1992-present
Bassist ('Bedders') who joined in 1978.

Watch & listen

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Photo & Visual Gallery

Complete 1980s Studio Discography

6 studio albums released from 1980–1989 by Madness. Archived records link directly to full dossiers; remaining releases are queued for harvesting. MusicBrainz source.

Absolutely cover
Absolutely
1980 · Stiff Records
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♫ 1981
7
1981 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting
♫ 1982
The Rise & Fall
1982 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting
♫ 1984
Keep Moving
1984 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting
♫ 1985
Mad Not Mad
1985 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting
♫ 1988
The Madness
1988 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting

80s discography & production credits in the archive

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