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 Imagination
- Biography
Since their
formation in 1981 IMAGINATION have achieved that
rate distinction of longevity and high profile
in the fast changing and often fickle world of
popular music.
Imagination is LEEE JOHN - Born in the U.K. LEEE
JOHN was raised in North London and New York,
whilst Ashley Ingram was born in Northampton and
brought up on a strict diet of Jamaican food and
Gospel Music. Meeting with LEEE JOHN at various
auditions culminated with them working together
and forming IMAGINATION.
During 1991 Ashley made the decision to leave
IMAGINATION for a career in songwriting and
production.
Originally teaming up with third member Errol
Kennedy, Errol was replaced during the summer of
1987 by vocalist PETER ROYER. PETER who was born
in London, had previously had a solo recording
career.
"SEGUN" has now replaced Ashley Ingram as the
third member of IMAGINATION. "SEGUN" is an
accomplished musician, playing guitar, bass,
drums, keyboards and trombone, he is also a much
sought after session singer.
The multi talented LEEE JOHN has not only spent
the last 10 years as lead vocalist and showman
for IMAGINATION but has managed to incorporate
his own T.V. chat show, Leee's Place, he hosted
the World Disco Dance Championships and appeared
in the cult T.V. show Dr. Who. LEEE is in great
demand not only for his skills in front of the
camera but also as a songwriter and producer.
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IMAGINATION was so named as a tribute to John
Lennon and 'Imagine'. Released in May 1981, the
single 'Body Talk', (which reached number four
in Britain), was the start of a success story
that has few parallels.
'In And Out Of Love', 'Flashback', 'Just An
Illusion' (a Diamond Award winner for 1,000,000
copies sold) and 'Music And Lights' secured the
group further Top Ten Hits, while their debut
album spent 51 weeks on the U.K. album chart.
Their first sell out European tour, including 22
shows in Britain during the Autumn of 1982,
coincided with the single and album 'In The Heat
Of The Night'. Success followed success during
1983 when their 'Night Dubbing' album became
their third to accrue Gold status. Further chart
singles including , 'Changes', 'Looking At
Midnight', 'In The Heat Of The Night' and 'New
Dimension' followed in 1983/84.
By the middle of 1984, with a fourth album -
'Scandalous' - under their belts, IMAGINATION
played to Royalty at the Princes' Trust Royal
Albert Hall show. This was followed by a stadium
show to over 100,000 people in Algeria and a
month long Spanish tour.
1985 saw the band again touring the U.K., Europe
and Far East, dates that led in 1986 to the
bands Fifth Anniversary. An event that was
celebrated in style by the capacity crowd at the
Royal Albert Hall on May 15th., and coincided
with a Top 20 single 'Thank you My Love'.
IMAGINATION signed to RCA in 1987, and wrote and
recorded the album 'Closer' in America, with
producers Arthur Baker, Preston Glass, Nick
Martinelli, Ron Kersey and Robert Kraft.
During 1988 IMAGINATION spent considerable time
in America both performing and appearing on T.V.
and Radio and during that Summer achieved the
Number 1 spot in the Billboard Dance Charts with
a smash single 'Instinctual' from the 'Closer'
album.
The groups last album, released in August 1989
titled 'LIKE IT IS' reached number 4 in the U.K.
album chart with Double Gold status being
achieved in 12 weeks. The album remained in the
U.K. top 100 albums for 38 weeks.
Endorsing the success of the album in the U.K.
'Like It Is' charted all over Europe and the 'Megamix
single' first released in France in June 1989,
was in the top ten in France for 4 months and
charted throughout Europe.
On September 2nd 1989 the group embarked on the
first leg of a six month World tour. Their
opening concert in France saw them playing to
42,000 people in Dunkerque. Followed by dates in
Germany, Switzerland, and further dates in
France. The tour reached the U.K. in December
playing seven dates across the country
culminating with a sell out Christmas Show at
Hammersmith Odeon.
Due to the immense popularity of IMAGINATION the
tour was extended beyond the original 6 months,
undertaking a gruelling live 6 week 31 show sell
out tour of Russia, a tour of India, Sri Lanka,
Angola and the Reunion and surrounding Islands,
the group is constantly in demand.
With the release of the long awaited new album
titled 'Fascination Of The Physical' throughout
Europe with Japan and America to follow in the
fall, IMAGINATION are now embarking on their
second decade. They are a fully credible music
force, check out - 'The Fascination of the
Physical', and you will agree.
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