|
He was
living in Sheffield
working with the
remnants of the
group 'ABC' when he
replied to an advert
in 'Smash Hits' and
was amazed to hear
from 'Paul Weller'
who invited him to
record some of the
songs that he had
sent him. Whilst
working in 'The
Respond studios', Weller asked
Dezi if he
would like to sing
backing vocals with
'The Style Council'
which lead to
national TV
appearances on the
'The Tube' & 'The
Switch'. The blue
touch paper was well
and truly lit and he
soon found himself
being head-hunted by
the Sheffield group
'Floy Joy' who
wanted him as their
lead singer. He was
then soon signed to
'Virgin Records' and
co-wrote the album
'Weak In The
Presence Of Beauty';
later a top 10 hit
for 'Alison Moyet'.
The album was
produced by 'Don
Was' of 'Was Not
Was' in Detroit
where Dezi had the
pleasure of working
with the legendary;
Aretha Franklin -
The Four
Tops - The
Staple Singers.
Before 'Floy Joy'
had run it's course,
Don told him that
there was a job for
him in his band, and
true to his word
after the group
disbanded he moved to
L.A. and recorded
the album 'Wot Up
Dog' from which the
hit single 'Walk The
Dinosaur' came. With
over 50 of his own
songs written in his
spare time, he came
back to the U.K. to
form the band
'Everyday People'
who were soon signed
to 'EMI'. Back in
the U.S.A. recording
the album ''You Wash
I'll Dry' which was
produced by 'Stuart
Levine' - producer
of 'Simply Red'.
He got to
work with 'Hugh Masekela' and wrote
songs with 'Paul
Riser' and 'Lamont
Dozier', ironically
the same guys who 20
years earlier had
been teaching
'Michael Jackson'
his trade.
Having completed the
album, and on a
promotional tour he
travelled
extensively
throughout Europe
and had 3 top 10
hits in Germany,
playing to crowds of
over 80 thousand supporting artistes
such as; Lisa Stansfield - Will
Downing - and The
Brand New Heavies.
Nowadays you can see
him performing his own
songs and classic
covers by; Nat King
Cole, Bob Marley,
Will Young at a
variety of venues
throughout the U.K.
and beyond. A
collection of 20
songs entitled 'The
Soul Sensation' is
always available and
features songs by:
George Michael,
UB40, and also his
ever popular acapella version of
'Ben E Kings - Stand
By me'.
|