Top Ten Bands and Artists from Surrey and North East Hampshire
6:00am 7th February 2014
Compiling any ‘top ten’ of bands is always going to cause arguments and this one has been no exception.
The Eagle Radio office has never been as animated as it has been whilst we put this one together and we’re sure you have an opinion too.
So have a look through our Top Ten Bands and Artists from Surrey and North East Hampshire – and then vote in our poll to tell us who you think is the best (and if we've missed any off!)
1. Genesis – Godalming
Genesis are one of the biggest selling bands of all time, reportedly shipping around 150 million albums worldwide, and it all started in Godalming. The original members, Peter Gabriel, Anthony Phillips, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Chris Stewart got together at Charterhouse School in 1967. Later Phil Collins would join and eventually lead the band following Gabriel’s departure.
2. The Jam – Woking
It all began for The Jam at Sheerwater School in 1972, with their first gig played at Michael’s bar. They are so much a part of Woking’s cultural history that a sculpture tribute to them was erected in the town centre in 2012. Their first album came out in 1977 and, much to the disappointment of fans, they eventually split in 1982 – but hey, that’s entertainment!
3. Paul Weller – Woking
OK ‘The Modfather’ is essentially getting two mentions but his record is impressive. As well as his success with The Jam, Weller racked up 11 top ten solo studio albums and he continues to attract huge audiences to his gigs, including one at Guildford’s G Live in October 2013.
4. Rick Parfitt (Status Quo) - Woking
Another from Woking, Quo guitarist Parfitt went to Goldsworth School. He’s been in the band since day one and wrote one of their most famous songs ‘Whatever You Want’. Status Quo are still going strong and have lined up a number of tour dates in 2014.
5. Bros - Camberley
That’s right, Bros are from Camberley. The band was formed in 1986 but it wasn’t until 1987 that they hit the big time with the release of ‘When Will I Be Famous’. They had eight top ten hits, including a number one with ‘I Owe You Nothing’ before splitting in 1992.
6. The Stranglers – Guildford
Originally called The Guildford Stranglers, it should come as no surprise that The Stranglers are from … Guildford. But wait! It turns out none of the band members are actually from the Surrey town. However, it is where it all began as they first started playing together at The Jackpot; a Guildford off-licence.
7. Amelle Berrabah (Sugababes) – Aldershot
Amelle joined the Sugababes in 2005, seven years after the original line-up got together, replacing Mutya Buena. Born in Aldershot, she also went to the Guildford Academy of Contemporary Music.
8. Jason J Brown (5ive) – Aldershot
Another Aldershot star, Jason J Brown enjoyed worldwide success with boy band 5ive. They sold 20 million records between 1997 and 2001, before briefly re-uniting in 2006.
9. Alison Goldfrapp - Alton
Alison Goldfrapp, of Goldfrapp fame, was actually born in Enfield but moved to Alton as a child and spent much of her youth in the Hampshire town. Formed in 1999, Godlfrapp are still going strong having notched up three top ten hits.
10. Newton Faulkner – Reigate and Guildford ACM
Full name Sam Newton Battenberg Faulkner, he was born in Reigate and learned his trade at the Guildford Academy of Contemporary Music. He has had two number one albums and has had singles success with hits like ‘Dream Catch Me’.
The Eagle Radio office has never been as animated as it has been whilst we put this one together and we’re sure you have an opinion too.
So have a look through our Top Ten Bands and Artists from Surrey and North East Hampshire – and then vote in our poll to tell us who you think is the best (and if we've missed any off!)
1. Genesis – Godalming
Genesis are one of the biggest selling bands of all time, reportedly shipping around 150 million albums worldwide, and it all started in Godalming. The original members, Peter Gabriel, Anthony Phillips, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Chris Stewart got together at Charterhouse School in 1967. Later Phil Collins would join and eventually lead the band following Gabriel’s departure.
2. The Jam – Woking
It all began for The Jam at Sheerwater School in 1972, with their first gig played at Michael’s bar. They are so much a part of Woking’s cultural history that a sculpture tribute to them was erected in the town centre in 2012. Their first album came out in 1977 and, much to the disappointment of fans, they eventually split in 1982 – but hey, that’s entertainment!
3. Paul Weller – Woking
OK ‘The Modfather’ is essentially getting two mentions but his record is impressive. As well as his success with The Jam, Weller racked up 11 top ten solo studio albums and he continues to attract huge audiences to his gigs, including one at Guildford’s G Live in October 2013.
4. Rick Parfitt (Status Quo) - Woking
Another from Woking, Quo guitarist Parfitt went to Goldsworth School. He’s been in the band since day one and wrote one of their most famous songs ‘Whatever You Want’. Status Quo are still going strong and have lined up a number of tour dates in 2014.
5. Bros - Camberley
That’s right, Bros are from Camberley. The band was formed in 1986 but it wasn’t until 1987 that they hit the big time with the release of ‘When Will I Be Famous’. They had eight top ten hits, including a number one with ‘I Owe You Nothing’ before splitting in 1992.
6. The Stranglers – Guildford
Originally called The Guildford Stranglers, it should come as no surprise that The Stranglers are from … Guildford. But wait! It turns out none of the band members are actually from the Surrey town. However, it is where it all began as they first started playing together at The Jackpot; a Guildford off-licence.
7. Amelle Berrabah (Sugababes) – Aldershot
Amelle joined the Sugababes in 2005, seven years after the original line-up got together, replacing Mutya Buena. Born in Aldershot, she also went to the Guildford Academy of Contemporary Music.
8. Jason J Brown (5ive) – Aldershot
Another Aldershot star, Jason J Brown enjoyed worldwide success with boy band 5ive. They sold 20 million records between 1997 and 2001, before briefly re-uniting in 2006.
9. Alison Goldfrapp - Alton
Alison Goldfrapp, of Goldfrapp fame, was actually born in Enfield but moved to Alton as a child and spent much of her youth in the Hampshire town. Formed in 1999, Godlfrapp are still going strong having notched up three top ten hits.
10. Newton Faulkner – Reigate and Guildford ACM
Full name Sam Newton Battenberg Faulkner, he was born in Reigate and learned his trade at the Guildford Academy of Contemporary Music. He has had two number one albums and has had singles success with hits like ‘Dream Catch Me’.
