Midge Ure

At the end of the 1970s, the musical landscape was to change forever. The guitar-heavy rock and punk that had dominated the decade disappeared, while synthesizers announced the sound of the future and the advent of music videos transformed the pop charts.

At the center of this seismic leap into a futuristic new era stood two plates that provided a template for much of what was to follow. Visage’s single “Fade To Grey” from the band’s debut album and Ultravox’s single “Vienna” were global hits that shared the barren atmosphere, European aesthetics and electronic core. The associated albums catapulted the art school alternative into the middle of the mainstream.

Both records were co-written, recorded and produced by one of the leading figures of the British music scene, MIDGE URE, and not only changed the charts worldwide, but also his life in the course of it.

“In the two years before, I had evolved from a ‘pop band’ (Slik) to a ‘post-punk band’ (The Rich Kids) and then joined Thin Lizzy as a guitarist. In the course of the fall until the winter of 1979, while I was working on the Visage project with Billy Currie, I was invited to the band Ultravox. The work we did on the ‘Vienna’ album this winter was an exhilarating boost of creativity like I’ve never experienced before.”

In 1984, MIDGE URE produced the famous “Band Aid” song together with Bob Geldof and 36 artists, which led to the Live Aid concert of 1985 and follow-up projects – a milestone in the history of music. In the late 80s and early 90s he celebrated great success with his solo albums “The Gift”, “Answers to Nothing”, “Pure” and “Breathe”. He wrote film music and organized benefit concerts with Sir Paul McCartney, Elton John and Eric Clapton. He directed large concert series such as “Night oft he Proms” and others.

In 2009, Ultravox teamed up again, toured with Simple Minds and released a new album in 2012.

Shortly before the pandemic, MIDGE URE toured to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the two groundbreaking albums of 1979.