Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

The book Messages, written by Johnny Waller and Paul Humphreys' brother Mike Humphreys, details the career of the band up to the time of The Best of OMD.
. There were two official magazines about the band, Telegraph, and, currently, Messages. 2000. An album of unreleased material by the band is scheduled to be released in 2005. 1999. McCluskey would continue for another decade, joined by Liverpool musicians Lloyd Massett and Stuart Kershaw. 1998.

Though Humphreys left the band after The Best of OMD, he collaborated with McCluskey on the songwriting for Universal, the band's 1996 swan song. 1997. One of OMD's biggest hits, "If You Leave," (1985) was written specifically for the John Hughes movie Pretty in Pink. 1996. By now the band were seeing their critical and public popularity wane in the UK, whilst they struggled to break the US market. 1995. This 6 piece line also released The Pacific Age (1986). 1994.

With the recording of Crush, (1985) Graham and Neil Weir began playing with the group (on guitar and brass), produced by Stephen Hague. 1993. Two laserdiscs, Live at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (1982) and Crush the Movie (1985) were released only in Japan. 1992. 1984's Junk Culture saw a return to a more poppy sound and saw the band using digital sampling keyboards such as the Fairlight CMI and the Emu Emulator. 1991. It was recorded by the 4-piece Humpreys/Holmes/Cooper/Mcluskey line-up, and produced by Rhett Davies. 1990.

1983 saw the band lose commercial momentum somewhat, with the release of their 'difficult' Dazzle Ships albums, which mixed melancholy synth ballads and uptempo synth pop with musique concrete and short wave radio tape collages. 1989. Hit singles Joan of Arc and Maid of Orleans were taken from the album. 1988. They used it to add very atmospheric swatches of string, choir and other sounds to their palette. 1987. The album's striking sound saw OMD's original synth-pop sound augmented by the mellotron, an instrument previously associated with prog rock bands. 1986.

The 4-piece went into the studio with Richard Mainwaring producing, Cooper then temporarily dropping out and being replaced by Mike Douglas, but this changed being reversed by the time the album was released and a tour embarked upon. 1985. 1981 would see the release of what many consider OMD's magnum opus (and it was also the peak of their commercial success in the UK and Europe) - the Architecture & Morality album. 1984. It ushered in a striking lush choral electronic sound. 1983. Howlett then presided over the recording of a further hit single, Souvenir, co-written by Cooper & Humphreys. 1982.

The tour for this album saw a 4-piece band line-up, with saxophonist Martin Cooper recruited for keyboard duties. 1981. The album spawned the huge hit single Enola Gay, named after the plane which dropped an atom bomb on Hiroshima. 1980. It was again produced by Howlett, and saw a rather moodier, dark feel. 1979. The second album Organisation followed later that year, recorded as a 3 piece with Humphreys, McCluskey and Holmes. 1978.

A tour followed, Winston the tape recorded being ditched for good, and replaced with live drums from Mal Holmes, and Dalek I Love You's Dave Hughs on synths. 1977. DinDisc arranged for the song Messages to be re-recorded (produced by Gong bassist Mike Howlett) and released as a single - this gave the band their first hit. 1976. It had a simple, raw, poppy, melodic synthpop sound. 1975. The eponymous first album (1980) showcased the band's live set at the time, and was basically recorded by the Humphreys/McCluskey duo, although included some guest drums from Id drummer Mal Holmes, and saxophone from Wirral musician Martin Cooper. 1974.

Finding themselves on the cusp of an electronic new wave in British pop-music, they released a one-off single with legendary independent label Factory Records (the single sleeve was designed by Peter Saville, whose distinctive graphics provided OMD's public image well into the mid-80s), and were then quickly snapped up by Virgin subsiduary DinDisc. 1973. They began to gig regularly as a duo, accompanied on stage by a Revox tape-recorder of backing tracks called "Winston". 1972. McCluskey briefly sang with electronic Wirral quartet Dalek I Love You, however eventually rejoined Humphreys, and their VCL XI project was rechristened Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. 1971. In 1978, The Id split due to the traditional musical differences. 1970.

Meanwhile Humphreys & McCluskey collaborated on a side-project called VCL XI (named after a valve from the diagram on the cover of Kraftwerk's Radio-Activity album), where they pursued their more bizarre electronic experiments, often working with tape collages, home-made kit-built synthesiers, and circuit-bent radios. 1969. They had quite a following on the scene, and one of their tracks (Julia's Song) was included on a compilation record of local bands called Street to Street. 1968. The group began to gig regularly in the Merseyside area, performing original material (largely written by McCluskey & Humphreys). 1967. By 1977, McCluskey & Humphreys put together 7-piece (3 singers, 2 guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards!) Wirral 'supergroup' The Id, whose line-up included drummer Malcolm Holmes and McCluskey's girlfriend Julia Kneale on vocals. 1966.

The pair shared a love of electronic music, particularly Brian Eno and Kraftwerk. 1965. McCluskey would usually sing and play bass guitar, whilst electronics enthusiast Humphreys initially began as a roadie, graduating to keyboards. [1] (http://www.billypreston.net/). As teenagers, Humphreys and McCluskey were involved in several unsigned Wirral bands, including including Equinox, Pegasus, and the short-lived Hitlerz Underpantz. Billy Preston's online biography is extensive and can be viewed on his website.
. Miles Davis titled a song Billy Preston in his honor.

McCluskey then retained the name and continued to record and tour as OMD with a new line-up. He has collaborated with some of the greatest names in the music industry: Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis Jr., Quincy Jones, Eric Clapton, The Jackson Five, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. The group was founded by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, and they formed the core of the outfit until 1989, when the group split. He began playing piano while sitting on his mother's lap at age three. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark or OMD were a synth pop group from the Wirral, UK, who recorded for Virgin Records (originally for Virgin's DinDisc subsidiary). Soul musician Billy Preston was born on September 2, 1946 in Houston, Texas and raised mostly in Los Angeles, California. The Best of OMD - 1988. Undiscovered Soul (Import Bonus Tracks) - Polygram International.

Crush the Movie - 1985. Ultimate Collection - Hip-O Records. Live at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane - 1982. Ultimate Collection - HIP-O Records. Crush the Movie - 1985. Steal This Movie - Artemis Records. Live at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane - 1982. Soul Survivor - Direct Source Label.

"The OMD Remixes" (5-inch CD single containing remixes of "Enola Gay," "Souvenir" and "Electricity"). Retrospective - Cleopatra. "Universal" - 1996. Pure Love - Polygram Records. "Walking on the Milky Way" - 1996. Plugged In - Phil Driscoll. "Everyday" - 1993. Anthology & 10 Year Anniversary - Cleopatra.

"Dream of Me (Based on Love's Theme)" - 1993. Ultimate Hits Collection - Rhino Records. "Stand Above Me" - 1993. The Muppets from Space - Sony Capitol. "Call My Name" - 1991. Soul Classics MCA Special Products. "The You Turn Away" - 1991. Only Soul 1975-1979.

"Pandora's Box" - 1991. Muppets from Space - Varese Records. "Sailing on the Seven Seas" - 1991. Mother, Jugs and Speed. "Dreaming" - 1988. Funk Classics. "Shame" - 1987. Divine Sounds: Best of Classic Gospel - MCA.

"We Love You" - 1986. Billy Preston (Rivie're) - RIVI. "(Forever) Live and Die" - 1986 (also released as picture disc). 70 #1 Hits from the 70's. "If You Leave" - 1986. Wonsaponatime - Capitol. "La Femme Accident" - 1985 (also released as shaped picture disc). Undiscovered Soul (US) - Polygram.

"Secret" - 1985. The Best of Billy Preston - A&M Records. "So In Love" - 1985. Soul Classics: Best of the 70's - Rebound Records. "Never Turn Away" - 1984. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - Polygram. "Tesla Girls" - 1984. Sgt.

"Talking Loud & Clear" - 1984. 3 - Polygram Records. "Locomotion" - 1984. Non-Stop Funk, Vol. "Telegraph" - 1983. 1 Hits of the 70's - Rebound Records. "Genetic Engineering" - 1983. No.

"Maid of Orleans" - 1982. Night I Fell in Love/Give Me the Reason/Power of Love - Sony. "Joan of Arc" - 1981. Men of Gospel: We Are Soldiers - MCA. "Souvenir" - 1981. King Curtis & The Kingpins. "Enola Gay" - 1980. Funk Fest - RIVI.

"Messages" - 1980. Back on My Feet Again: Songs of Hope & Inspiration. "Red Frame/White Light" - 1980. Vivir - FONOVISA INC. "Electricity" - 1979. Universal Love. Navigation - The OMD B-Sides - 2001. Too Much Woman.

The Peel Sessions -2000. The World of Soul. The OMD Singles - 1998. Thanks for Sharing - Quality Records. Universal - 1996. Synth Me Up: 14 Classic Electronic Hits - HIP-O RECORDS. Liberator - 1993. Songs from a Parent to a Child - Sony.

Sugar Tax - 1991. 1. The Best of OMD - 1988. Rhythm and Blues, Vol. The Pacific Age - 1986. Rahsaan Patterson - MCA. Crush - 1985. One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen - Capitol.

Junk Culture - 1984 (first copies came with enclosed one-sided 7-inch single, "The Angels Keep Turning (The Wheels of the Universe)"). Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection 1949 Rhino Records. Dazzle Ships - 1983. Desesperadamente Enamorado - FON. Architecture & Morality - 1981. Bridges to Babylon - Virgin Records. - 1981. BeBe Winans - Atlantic.

O.M.D. Words & Music. Organisation - 1980. The Life (Original Cast) - RCA. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - 1980. Si El Norte Fuera El Sur - Sony. Peace Beyond Passion - Warner Brothers.

Organic - Sony. On the Air - Unidisc Records. Love Brought Me Back - Sony. It Takes Two (Columbia).

International Be Encouraged - Savoy Records. Go Cat Go. 16 Most Requested Songs - Sony. Spanner in the Works 1995 Warner Brothers.

2 - SOCL. Soulful Love Duets, Vol. Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story. 2.

Radio Daze: Pop Hits of the 80s, Vol. Motown Duets - PGD Special Markets. Minister of Music. In the House.

In Celebration - Angel Classics. Headin' for an Overload. Billy's Back. Billboard Hot Soul Hits: 1973 - Rhino Records.

Billboard Hot Soul Hits - 1972 - Rhino Records. The SAR Records Story - ABKCO. 2 - Hot Productions. The Best of Motorcity Records, Vol.

1 - Hot Productions. The Best of Motorcity Records, Vol. 3 - Rhino Records. Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol.

Rhythm Country & Blues - MCA. 2 - Hot Productions. Pulsating Rhythms, Vol. Precious Stone: In the Studio - ACE (U.K.).

Motown's Disco Party Pac. Motown Comes Home. Heartaches & Harmonies (Box Set) - Rhino Records. Giovanni Jovanotti.

2. 12 by 12 - Megatone Classics, Vol. Wandering Spirit - Atlantic. 2 - Hot Productions.

Pulsating Rhythms, Vol. My World - Warner Brothers. 2: The Motown Singles Collection 1972-1992. Hitsville USA, Vol.

Duets - MCA. Crossing. Carlito's Way - Sony. Up-Front.

The Collection. Ono Box- RYKO Disc. Jefferson Airplane Loves You - RCA. 13 - Rhino Records.

Soul Hits of the 70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind, Vol. Silver Lining - RYKO Disc. Listen to the Band - Rhino Records. Gospels, Spirituals & Hymns - Sony.

Back to Mono (1958-1969) - ABKCO. Red Hot & Blue: Lee Atwater & Friends - Curb Records. Pretty Woman - Capitol. Mama Roo - GNP Crescendo.

All-Star Band - RYKO Disc. Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1974 - Rhino Records. Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1973 - Rhino Records. Take Me Back - Platinum.

Platinum Entertainment All Our Love - MCA Special Products. 2 - Capitol. Past Masters, Vol. Imagine: John Lennon (Original Soundtrack) - Capitol.

Ii). Total Happiness (Music from the Bill Cosby Show, Vol. Steppin' Up - Milestone Records. Soul Survivor - MCA Special Products.

Wired. Endless Love: Motown Love Songs - Motown / PGD. Down and Out in Beverly Hills. 30 Greatest Hits - Atlantic.

The Night I Fell in Love - Sony. Aretha's Jazz - Atlantic. In a Special Way - Motown / PGD. Pressin' On.

Gone Troppo. The Way I Am. Sucking in the 70's. Billy and Syreeta.

Standing Tall. Late at Night. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Sgt.

Luxury You Can Afford - WEA International. Behold. Whole New Thing. Love You Live - Virgin Records.

No Reason to Cry - Polygram Records. Black & Blue - Virgin Records. Billy's Bag. Billy Preston (A&M).

33 & 1/3. 2nd Resurrection. The Genius of Billy Preston. The Genius of Billy Preston.

Sounds Spectacular. It's My Pleasure. It's My Pleasure. Harder to Live.

Extra Texture - Capitol. Discomania (1975). Blood on the Tracks - Sony. The Place I Love.

The Kids & Me. Martha Reeves. Live European Tour. It's Only Rock and Roll - Virgin Records.

Goodnight Vienna - Capitol. Dark Horse - Capitol. Body Heat - A&M Records. Ringo - Capitol.

Original Billy Preston: Soul'd Out. Goats Head Soup - Virgin Records. Everybody Likes Some Kind of Music. Walker.

David T. Together. Something's Coming. Music Is My Life.

Forget Me Nots. Exile on Main Street - Virgin Records. Dollars - not rated. Young, Gifted & Black - Rhino Records.

The Concert for Bangladesh - Capitol. Sticky Fingers - Virgin Records. Live at Fillmore West - Koch International. I Wrote a Simple Song - MCA Special Products.

Aretha Live at Fillmore West - Rhino Records. Organ Transplant. Encouraging Words. All Things Must Pass - Capitol.

30 Great Hits. Let It Be - Apple. That's the Way God Planned It. Sixteen Year Old Soul.

I Heard That!. Greazee Soul. Billy Preston (Buddah). Abbey Road - Apple.

The Beatles (White Album) - Apple. Club Meeting. Wildest Organ in Town!. Most Exciting Organ Ever.

Early Hits.