Dave Wakeling

Dave Wakeling
Dave Wakeling
	Wakeling performing in 2007
Background information
Born	19 February 1956 (age 68); Birmingham, England
Genres	New wave; ska; two-tone; post-punk;
Occupations	Singer; songwriter; musician;
Instruments	Vocals; guitar;
Years active	1978–present
Labels	I.R.S.
Member of	The Beat
Formerly of	General Public
Website	davewakeling.com

David Wakeling (born 19 February 1956) is an English singer, songwriter and musician, best known for his work with the band the Beat (known in North America as the English Beat) and General Public.^[1]

Career

Wakeling began his professional career when he formed the band the Beat.^[2] The band's debut studio album, I Just Can't Stop It (1980), included the title song as well as "Mirror in the Bathroom", "Hands Off...She's Mine", and "Can't Get Used to Losing You", all of which charted within the Top 10 on the UK Singles Chart.^[3] The band also had UK hits from the studio albums Wha'ppen? (1981) and Special Beat Service (1982).

Wakeling then formed General Public with Ranking Roger in 1983, and they released their debut studio album All the Rage the next year. He also recorded two other studio albums with General Public, Hand to Mouth (1986) and Rub It Better (1995), shortly after which the band disbanded.

In 1984, Wakeling, along with Ranking Roger, sang backing vocals on the song "Free Nelson Mandela" by the Special A.K.A. They also provided backing vocals on the Madness studio album Keep Moving, singing on the tracks "Waltz into Mischief" and "Victoria Gardens".

He then produced the soundtrack for the John Hughes romantic comedy film She's Having a Baby (1988), in which he also recorded the title track.

In 1991, Wakeling released his sole solo studio album No Warning, on I.R.S. Records.

He recorded two new songs that feature in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "Dance of the Undead", which debuted in March 2013."^[4]

In 2018, the Beat album Here We Go Love was released.

Wakeling regularly performs as the English Beat in North America.^[5]

Throughout his career, Wakeling has mainly used a left-handed Vox Teardrop guitar, the Vox Mark III. He was initially drawn to this guitar as his favourite artist and guitarist Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones used one. "I wanted to be him and I used to play my cricket bat or my tennis racket and pretend it was a teardrop in the mirror when my mom had gone out shopping. I even bought a blond wig from a second-hand shop and I cut it out into a bob. As soon as I heard the front door I would think "Great, she's gone". I would take out the wig, the cricket bat and play in front of the mirror."^[6] On 8 April 2006, he donated his Vox of 26 years to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.^[7]

Personal life

Wakeling is divorced, with two children, Max and Chloe. He resides in the San Fernando Valley, California.^[8]

In 1985, Wakeling mentioned in a press interview with Mother Jones magazine that he was bisexual.^[9]

Discography

No Warning (1991 I.R.S. Records)

Side one

"I Want More" (Dave Wakeling, Parthenon Huxley) – 4:16
"No Warning" (Wakeling, Mark Goldenberg) – 4:53
"Remember in the Dark" (Wakeling) – 5:23
"Every Time You Look at Me That Way" (Wakeling) – 4:12
"Sensation" (Wakeling, Mickey Billingham, Goldenberg) – 4:04

Side two

"Freedom Fighter" (Wakeling, Billingham) – 5:53
"One + One + One" (Wakeling, Goldenberg) – 5:15
"Sex with You" (Wakeling) – 3:32
"I'm Not Ready" (Wakeling, Billingham) – 3:58
"She's Having a Baby" (Wakeling, Ian Ritchie) – 3:44

Produced by Mark Goldenberg (tracks 1–9) and Steve Levine ("She's Having a Baby")

References

^ Duguay, Rob (3 November 2023). "New Wave, Ska icons The English Beat coming to RI". IndependentRI.com. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
^ "Dave Wakeling Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mo..." AllMusic. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
^ I Just Can't Stop It - The English Beat | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 8 July 2024
^ "Marco on the Bass: Scooby Doo Episode Features New Music by the English Beat". Marcoonthebass.blogspot.com. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
^ "DAVE WAKELING of the English Beat and General Public". 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 15 September 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
^ "Ask The Artist: Dave Wakeling (The English Beat) - NRG Recording Studios". Nrgrecording.com. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
^ "Dave Wakeling's guitar donated to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". Punknews.org. 8 April 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
^ Seaman, Duncan (3 November 2023). "The Beat goes on for ska singer Dave Wakeling". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
^ Block, Adam (February 1985). "Music: Dave Wakeling Goes Public". Mother Jones. San Francisco, USA: Foundation for National Progress. Retrieved 25 June 2015.

The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll, Third Edition (Fireside, 2001)
The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Books, 2004)