Richard Ashcroft was the Lead Vocalist for the Verve. Born in Wigan, Richard already knew he wanted to be a singer in a band at the age of 13. Ashcroft remained some what of an outsider for whom his teachers had no time and was regarded as the cancer of the class. During an philosophy and Religion Exam Richard walked out not giving a toss about the exam. The school became so concerned about his welfare that at one stage they considered dredging a canal believing he had killed himself, unaware that he was sunbathing on a nearby hill innocently basking in the warmth of the day. Richard has always had many different looks and was experimenting with a multitude of different haircuts which was quite easy considering that his mother was a hairdresser. One minute his hair would be bleached blonde, the next it would be a dyed black quiff complemented by sideburns down to his chin.
When Richards father died in 1982 it gave Richard a real sence of mortality triggering somthing deep inside him to do something. Then came the Verve. The Verve Started in 1990 known as simply 'Verve'. The band was forced to amend their name later and became know as 'The Verve' some critics said that The Verve was Ashcroft Plus four but Richard Ashcroft explained in an interview the Verve was reater than the sum of its parts (or something to that effect). Richard Ashcroft, Simon Jones, Peter Salisbury and Nick McCabe all met in school and were then reunited in the unemployment benefits line (DOLE Queue). Most people in there position dreamed of a music career so did they and they pretty much achieved it. The band experimented with soul and jazz. Early on Oasis actually opened up for The Verve when they were the support band.
In 1995 The Verve decided to split up unable to cope with the pressure of being the next big thing, Ashcroft explains "To me, being in a band at this level is a test of your strength as individuals, And we weren't ready for it before. If we hadn't split up, I wouldn't be here today. We just weren't strong enough. Now, I believe we are" , in 1997 'The Verve' reformed and produced the 5th biggest selling album in the UK 'Urban Hymns' which came to be known as their 'come back' album. Urban Hymns included the defining song of summer 1997 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' The lyrics were incredible and the music was something else and who can forget the video, Richard Ashcroft striding through a street of pedestrians smashing into people not giving a **** about anything. Although Bitter Sweet Symphony was an immense success The Verve could not appreciate this to its full extent because Bitter Sweet Symphony had brought problems for the group.
Alan Klein copyright owner of the Rolling Stones back catalogue refused to allow the band to use a sample from The Rolling Stones 'The Last Time' Ashcroft said that the sample was so small it was bearably audible but however negotiations took place between the two parties and they agreed of a 50- 50 split of the royalties which seemed completely wrong to me. But anyway just prior to the records release Alan Klein made a new demand for 100% of the royalties. But even all the legal crap didn't mar the records success and even Mick Jagger and Keith Richards owned up to liking it. However Ashcroft remains philosophical about loosing the royalties "That song is everyone's now. It was very poetic what happened, what with the lyrics ("you're a slave to the money and then you die") and all of that. But let it be other people's now. I'm not interested in the money, this is music!"
The Verve officially decided to call it a day in 1998. The split comes after a difficult few months for The Verve, starting with guitarist Nick McCabe's decision not to finish the band's US and European tour dates last summer. "The decision to split the band did not come without a great deal of distress to me personally," says Richard. "I have always given everything to the band and would have continued to do so if circumstances had not made it impossible. I would like to thank the fans for their loyal support and their phenomenal response to Urban Hymns. I feel more positive now a decision has been made,being in limbo isn't good for the soul. I can now move forward and put my energies into new songs for a new album." Richard has started work on the new album.
Simon Jones, The Verve's bass player says "The remainder of the band; myself, Nick McCabe, Simon Tong - are continuing to work on our own projects, while Pete Salisbury is currently working on Richard's new album. The rest of the band might even work with each other in the future. If this happens, it won't be as The Verve." The Verve, from Wigan were formed in 1990, releasing their debut album A Storm In Heaven three years later. It was followed by the hugely acclaimed A Northern Soul in 1994. Three years later, in the summer of 1997, The Verve established themselves as one of the most crucial English rock bands of all time with the Urban Hymns album which, with its landmark singles Bitter Sweet Symphony and The Drugs Don't Work, dominated the chart for over a year. Richard Ashcroft was said to be the debated genius behind The Verve and has began a solo career and he is said to be working with members of the band like Peter Salisbury.
Source: www.richardashcroft.co.uk
