The Q-Tips were the blue-eyed soul band that effectively launched the career of ‘80s balladeer
Paul Young. Better known in England for their live performances and rigorous touring schedule than for their scant few recordings, the Q-Tips' bread and butter consisted of ‘60s soul covers (especially Motown), even though they did write competent original material in the same vein.
The Q-Tips grew out of the ashes of a new wave group called the Streetband, which disbanded in late 1979 and featured singer/guitarist
Young, guitarist John Gifford, and bassist
Mick Pearl. This trio re-teamed in the Q-Tips, switching their focus to American soul and adding drummer
Barry Watts, keyboardist
Ian Kewley (formerly of
Samson [not the metal band], Strider, and Limey), and a horn section composed of trumpeter
Tony Hughes, saxophonist
Steve Farr, and saxophonist/songwriter
Stewart Blandmer. The group began a relentless touring schedule across the U.K., and soon issued their debut single, a cover of
Joe Tex's "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song)." Gifford departed not long after, and was replaced by guitarist Garth Watt-Roy. Having now caught the attention of Chrysalis Records, the band followed with their first major-label single, a cover of
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Tracks of My Tears." Their self-titled debut album appeared in 1980, but didn't sell all that well, and Chrysalis soon dropped them. Signing to the smaller Rewind label, the Q-Tips next issued a cover of "Love Hurts," and followed it with the 1982 concert album
Live at Last. By now,
Young was drawing interest as a solo artist, and signed with CBS in 1982. That, coupled with the toll exacted by their grueling tour schedule, ensured that the Q-Tips disbanded that fall (but only after a lengthy farewell jaunt). Retaining
Kewley as a songwriting partner,
Young went on to stardom in the U.K., and topped the American charts in 1985 with "Every Time You Go Away." Meanwhile, several more archival live albums appeared under the Q-Tips name, including Come Back...Live and Live in Concert.
Young briefly reunited the Q-Tips for a tour in 1993. ~ Steve Huey