T'Pau: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Videos
• Photos
• Groups/Boards
• Fan Sites

• 'Til Tuesday
• The Outfield
• Haircut 100
• Duran Duran
• Arcadia
• Nik Kershaw
• Howard Jones

• Tim Burgess

• Carol Decker
• Ron Rogers

Formed:

Jan 1, 1986 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England

Disbanded:

Jan 1, 1991

Genres:

Classical Music, Rock Music

Decades Active:

1980's|1990's

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

Named after a character from the Star Trek TV series, the popanthem band T'Pau formed in 1986 around vocalist Carol Decker (b. Sept. 10, 1957), guitarist Ronnie Rogers (b. Mar. 13, 1959), keyboard player Michael Chetwood (b. Aug. 26, 1954), bassist Paul Jackson (b. Aug. 8, 1961), and drummer Tim Burgess (b. Oct. 6, 1961). Quickly signed to Virgin's Siren subsidiary, the group released their debut single, "Heart and Soul," in early 1987 with little fanfare. After the song was used in a Pépe jeans commercial, however, it became a Top Five hit on both sides of the Atlantic. The resulting album, Bridge of Spies (selftitled T'Pau for its American release), shot straight to number one in England. Four subsequent singles from the album entered at least the Top 20, though none broke in the U.S. charts. After touring with Bryan Adams and Nik Kershaw, the band added another guitarist, Dean Howard, and recorded their second album, Rage. The LP stalled at number four on the British charts, and its followup, The Promise, barely made Top Ten in 1991. After a farewell tour, T'Pau broke up, though Decker began a solo career soon after.

- John Bush, All Music Guide