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{{short description|British pop band}}
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{{Infobox musical artist
{{redirect|Do The Conga|the Gloria Estefan song|Conga (song)}}
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| caption = Black Lace in 1979. Colin Gibb, Alan Barton, Terry Dobson and Steve Scholey
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| genre = ], ]
| years_active = {{Start date|1973}}–2024
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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians -->
|name = Black Lace
|image =
|caption =
|image_size =
|background = group_or_band
|origin = ], UK
|years_active = 1975–present
|genre = ], ]
|label = ] / Flair / NOW Music /Lace Record
|past_members = ]<br />]<br />Ian Howarth<br />Steve Scholey<br />Neil Hardcastle<br />Rob Hopcraft<br />Nick Boden<br />Dene Michael


'''Black Lace''' are a British pop band, best known for ] party records, including their biggest hit, "]". The band first came to the public eye after being selected to represent the UK in the ], in which they finished seventh with the song ]. The band had numerous line-up changes, with Colin Gibb being the longest serving original member, until retiring and dying in 2024. Currently Black Lace<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://officialblacklace.com/about/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Black Lace {{!}} Ultimate Party Band Agadoo Superman Conga Music Man |language=en-US}}</ref> are composed of Phil Temple<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Lace {{!}} Big Weekenders Headline Artists |url=https://www.butlins.com/bigweekenders/experience/headliners/black-lace |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Black Lace {{!}} Big Weekenders Headline Artists |language=en}}</ref> and 2008 ] contestant Craig Harper.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Craig Harper |url=https://www.flairents.co.uk/craigharper |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Flair Entertainments |language=en}}</ref>
}}
'''Black Lace''' are a British pop band, best known for ] party records, including their biggest hit, "]". The band first came to the public eye after being selected to represent the UK in the ], in which they finished seventh with the song ]. With numerous line-up changes, Black Lace went on to have success with novelty party anthems such as "]" and "Do the Conga".


Over the years, Black Lace toured around the world, playing party shows throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Canada and the US, and are known for their novelty party anthems such as "]" and "Do the Conga".
] wrote, "If you're looking for the band with the least street credibility in the world, whose name alone makes people cringe, then look no further than Black Lace, the equivalent of the naughty seaside postcard, who would record almost any song, whatever damage it did to their image".<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p477088/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography by Sharon Mawer|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=27 July 2011}}</ref>


==Pre-Black Lace (1973–1975)== == Pre-Black Lace (1969–1973) ==
] and school friend Ian Howarth formed The Impact, as a five-piece pop group in 1969, with ], Steve Scholey and Nigel Scott. The group also performed under the names Penny Arcade and Love or Confusion. ] and school friend Ian Howarth formed The Impact as a five-piece pop group in 1969, with ], Steve Scholey and Nigel Scott. The group also performed under the names Penny Arcade and Love or Confusion.


Howarth left the band for a short while but returned to the line-up in 1974, Dobson also left to be replaced briefly by Neil Hardcastle. Dobson then re-joined and Scott left in 1975; that same year the band adopted the name Black Lace. Howarth left the band for good in 1976, and was replaced by Colin Gibb (born Colin Routh, 8 December 1953).<ref name="AMG"/> Ian Howarth left the band for a short while but returned to the line-up in 1973, and Dobson also left, to be replaced briefly by Neil Hardcastle. Dobson then re-joined, and Scott left in 1973, that same year the band adopted the name Black Lace. Ian Howarth left the band for good in 1976, and was replaced by ] (born Colin Routh, 8 December 1953).<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p477088/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography by Sharon Mawer|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=27 July 2011}}</ref>


== Black Lace (1976–1981) == == Black Lace (1976–1981) ==
Ian Howarth was replaced by Colin Gibb during late spring of 1976 and after turning professional, the band toured the majority of the UK, managed by Keith Mills, commencing their first summer season at the Skegness Central Pier Bier.
After turning 'professional' at the beginning of 1976, the band, managed by Keith Mills, played their first summer season at the Skegness Bier Garten. The following year their summer season would take them to Butlins in Filey North Yorkshire and ], Lincolnshire and recorded an ] that was to be sold at their shows, The group were voted Yorkshire 'Band of the Year' by ], and best clubland group playing at the ].


The following year their summer season would take them to ] and ]. An ] was recorded and produced by comedian ] at his studio, which was to be sold at their shows. The group were voted Yorkshire Band of the Year by ], and best clubland group playing at the ].
In 1979, Black Lace recorded their first single, "Mary Ann", for ] music and a recording contract followed with ]. As the song required a more 'throaty' vocal, Alan Barton was switched to being lead singer, with Steve Scholey moving to backing vocals for the band's recordings, but remained as 'lead singer' on live performances. The song won the ]'s ]. Other television appearances around this time included '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''. At the ], held in Israel, the band finished seventh and "Mary Ann" peaked at No. 42 in the ],<ref name="AMG" /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book|first=David|last=Roberts|year=2006|title=]|edition=19th|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|location=London|isbn=1-904994-10-5|page=60}}</ref>


In 1979, Black Lace recorded their first single, "Mary Ann", for ] and a recording contract followed with ]. As the song required a more 'throaty' vocal, Alan Barton was moved to being lead singer, with Steve Scholey on backing vocals for the band's recordings, but remaining as lead singer on live performances. The song won the ]'s ] and the band went on to represent the UK at the 1979 ] held in Israel, with the band finishing seventh. Other television appearances around this time included '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''. "Mary Ann" reached No. 42 in the ].<ref name="AMG" /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book|first=David|last=Roberts|year=2006|title=]|edition=19th|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|location=London|isbn=1-904994-10-5|page=60}}</ref>
The band's follow-up single, "So Long Suzy Baby", failed to chart in the UK, but achieved success in Europe. Black Lace found great success with live performances, notably in Poland and Bulgaria, and on TV shows in East Germany, West Germany and Spain.

The band's follow-up single, "So Long Suzy Baby", failed to chart in the UK (as EMI could not decide on which track should be used, and delayed the planned release date), but achieved success in Europe. Black Lace found success with live performances and TV shows, notably the ] in Poland, the ] in Bulgaria, and on TV in East Germany, West Germany and Spain.


The band toured Denmark in 1980, supporting ] and working with ], a Danish entertainer. Black Lace and Seebach recorded "Hey Hey Jock McRay" for the Danish singles market, but an intended 1980 tour of Poland was called off because of political unrest in the country. The band toured Denmark in 1980, supporting ] and working with ], a Danish entertainer. Black Lace and Seebach recorded "Hey Hey Jock McRay" for the Danish singles market, but an intended 1980 tour of Poland was called off because of political unrest in the country.


==Chart success (1981–1987)== ==Chart success (1981–1987)==
In 1981, the band split. Dobson joined the Castleford rock band Stormer who had a recording contract with ]. Scholey departed, leaving the others to settle huge debts incurred whilst touring. The band became a duo of Gibb and Barton.<ref name="AMG"/> It was this line-up that would give the band its biggest ] success. In 1981, the band split. Dobson joined the ] rock band Stormer, who had a recording contract with ]. Scholey departed and the band had to settle huge debts incurred whilst touring. The band became a duo, consisting of Gibb and Barton.<ref name="AMG"/> It was this line-up that would give the band its biggest ] success.


The duo played the Northern club circuit using pre-recorded backing tracks. Initially they used the name Lace, but soon reverted to Black Lace and recruited a new manager, John Wagstaff. They recorded an instrumental single based on the "]". It was released as "Birds Dance" in 1981. However, the record was beaten to the charts by another version of the song by The Tweets released as "The Birdie Song". "Birds Dance" has since been retitled "The Birdie Song" and included on Black Lace albums. The duo played the ] using pre-recorded backing tracks, which was controversial at the time. Initially, they used the name Lace, but soon reverted to Black Lace and recruited a new manager, John Wagstaff. They recorded an instrumental single based on the "]", released as "Birds Dance" in 1981 (using the name Buzby<ref>{{cite web |title=Buzby record release |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2769532-Buzby-2 |website=Discos |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref> instead of Black Lace).<ref>{{Cite book|title=Wired for Sound: Now That's What I Call An Eighties Music Childhood|last=Bromley|first=Tom|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2012|isbn=9780857203236}}</ref> However, the record was beaten to the charts by another version of the song by The Tweets, released as "The Birdie Song". "Birds Dance" has since been retitled "The Birdie Song" and included on Black Lace albums.


Black Lace's 1983 "Superman" single was their first on under their own name on the Flair label,<ref name="AMG"/> and a promotional ] was shot at Casanova's ] in Wakefield. One of the hired dancers was the then unknown singer ]. "Superman" reached No. 9 in the UK chart,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> but an attempt at a follow-up single "Hey You!" failed to chart. Black Lace received a ] for sales of "Superman". They proceeded to tour Denmark with Danish stars ]. Black Lace's 1983 "]" single was their first one under their own name on the Flair label,<ref name="AMG"/> and a promotional ] was shot at Casanova's ] in ]. One of the hired dancers was the then unknown singer ]. "Superman" reached No. 9 in the UK chart,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> but an attempt at a follow-up single, "Hey You!", failed to chart, despite being ]'s Record of the Week. Black Lace received a ] for sales of "Superman". They proceeded to tour Denmark with Danish stars ] and Snapshots.


The band's biggest success came in 1984 with the single "]" selling over one million copies worldwide, and reaching No. 2 in the UK chart.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> "Agadoo" was a hit in Europe, South Africa and Australia. Having been presented with a gold disc for sales in the UK, the duo recorded their first album ''Black Lace'' in Denmark. Around this time their record company went into receivership, leading to Black Lace losing hundreds of thousands of pounds in unpaid ] for "Agadoo".{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} The band's biggest success came in 1984 with the single "]", selling over one million copies worldwide, and reaching No. 2 in the UK chart.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Tina |last=Miles |date=26 March 2009 |title=Merseyside dad hopes for chart success with Black Lace hit Agadoo |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/merseyside-dad-hopes-chart-success-3458034 |archive-date= |access-date=10 September 2015 |work=Liverpool Echo}}</ref><ref name="everyhit"> - search for "Black Lace" as "Name of artist" and "Agadoo" as "Title of song"</ref> "Agadoo" was a hit in Europe, South Africa and Australia. Having been presented with a gold disc for sales in the UK, radio interview presenter ] forgot Gibb's name and referred to him as 'Mr Agadoo' (the name Dene Michael later adopted for himself, despite having no connection to the record). The duo recorded their first album, ''Black Lace'', at Stuck Ranch studios in Denmark. Around this time, their record distribution company ] went into receivership, leading to Black Lace and their record company losing an estimated quarter of a million pounds in unpaid ] for "Agadoo".


The band's follow-up single, "Do The Conga", reached No. 10 in the UK chart,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> and the accompanying album ''Party Party – 16 Great Party Icebreakers'' sold over 650,0000 copies in the first five weeks, reaching double platinum status, and leading to the band doing TV shows in Germany, Luxembourg, France and Denmark.<ref name="AMG"/> The band's follow-up single, "Do The Conga", reached No. 10 in the UK chart,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> and the accompanying album ''Party Party – 16 Great Party Icebreakers'' sold over 650,000 copies in the first five weeks, reaching double platinum status and leading to the band doing TV shows in Germany, Luxembourg, France and Denmark.<ref name="AMG"/>
During interview with broadcaster -Richard Whitley- Gibb is referred to as – 'Mr Agadoo' – as Whitley forgets his name. (The title latter adopted for himself by Dean Michael)


In 1985, another single, "El Vino Collapso" was released, with the video shot in Skegness. It failed to reach the top 40, stalling at No. 42 in the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> Further releases "I Speaka Da Lingo" and "The Hokey Cokey" reach#49 and No. 31, respectively.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> In 1985, another single, "El Vino Collapso", was released, with the video shot in Skegness. It failed to reach the top 40, stalling at No. 42 in the UK Singles Chart due to it being 'banned' by the BBC in the wake of the ]. As it had references to "drinking whilst abroad", it was deemed unsuitable for radio play.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> Further releases "I Speaka Da Lingo" and "Hokey Cokey" reached No. 49 and No. 31 respectively.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>


]
Black Lace also participated in recording of the UK No. 1 hit "]" as part of the charity ensemble, ], to raise funds for the families of the victims of the ].<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums 2">{{cite book|first=David|last=Roberts|year=2006|title=]|edition=19th|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|location=London|isbn=1-904994-10-5|page=128}}</ref>


Black Lace also participated in the recording of the UK No. 1 hit "]" as part of the charity ensemble, ] (which included members of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], plus many more) to raise funds for the families of the victims of the ].<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums 2">{{cite book|first=David|last=Roberts|year=2006|title=]|edition=19th|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|location=London|isbn=1-904994-10-5|page=128}}</ref>
Black Lace's second album ''Party Party 2'' was released for Christmas 1985, and television appearances included a Black Lace special on the ] rock show '']'', plus on '']'', '']'', ''Miss Yorkshire'', ''International Disco Dance Championship'', '']'' and ''Top of the Pops'' Christmas Special, Because of such a work load, Barton and Gibb found it necessary to charter a private aircraft to meet the deadlines but the band's success led to a tax demand of over £100,000.


Black Lace's second album ''Party Party 2'' was released for Christmas 1985, and television appearances included '']'', '']'', '']'', ''Miss Yorkshire Television'', ''International Disco Dance Championship'', '']'' and the '']'' Christmas Special. Because of such a demanding work schedule, Barton and Gibb found it necessary to charter a private aircraft to meet the deadlines, but the band's success led to a tax demand in excess of £100,000.
In 1986, Dene Michael replaced Gibb (as a 'session singer' as opposed to an actual member) who took time out of live work with Black Lace, to concentrate on other projects.<ref>{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="Goliath">{{cite web|url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-8527665/The-awful-curse-of-Agadoo.html|title=The awful curse of Agadoo; THEY SANG TERRIBLE SONGS AND WORE DREADFUL CLOTHES BUT DID ANYONE REALLY DESERVE WHAT HAPPENED TO BLACK LACE?|publisher=Goliath.ecnext.com|date=14 December 1996|accessdate=21 November 2012}}</ref> During this time, Gibb promoted the act, ''Party Party'' with the singer and guitarist John Strike, playing two tours of Germany, after which Gibb disbanded his new act.


In 1986, Dene Michael Betteridge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agadoo singer led a '60-man conga of inmates in prison' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/agadoo-singer-led-a-60man-conga-of-inmates-in-prison-a7238266.html |access-date=2025-01-09}}</ref> (a club singer also known as Michael Dene, as well Dene Michael) replaced Gibb, who took time out of live work with Black Lace (remaining an official member of the band) to concentrate on other projects, including promoting pop act Party Party and participating in two tours of Germany, concentrating on a part-time photography business, setting up a food retail outlet, and a music equipment retail and installation business.
Barton was joined by the singer Dene Michael to continue 'live' performances with Black Lace.<ref name="AMG"/> Initially as a 'session singer' as opposed to an actual member, Another single, "Wig Wam Bam", reached No. 63 in the UK chart,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> but "Viva La Mexico", which was released to capitalise on the ] football competition, flopped when ] was knocked out. Black Lace (Barton and Michael) appeared as themselves in the 1987 film, '']'', which featured "Gang Bang" and "Have a Screw", which were recorded by Barton and Gibb the previous year. The band had a UK hit with their album ''Party Crazy''.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>


Another single, "Wig Wam Bam", (featuring Barton, Gibb and Betteridge) reached No. 63 in the UK chart,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> but "Viva La Mexico", which was released to capitalise on the ] football competition, flopped when ] were knocked out. Black Lace (Barton and Betteridge) appeared as themselves in the 1987 film '']'' performing "Gang Bang", which had been recorded by Barton and Gibb the previous year. The pair were also immortalised as caricatures in the TV show '']'' and the hit single "]". The band had a UK hit with their album ''Party Crazy''.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>
==Later career (1987–present)==
1987 saw a switcharound; Gibb returned whilst Barton left to join ].<ref name="AMG"/> Michael became a full-time member of Black Lace and he and Gibb released the single "Jammin' the Sixties" under the name Barracuda. The record was ] Record of the Week, but failed to hit the chart.


==Later career (1987–2023)==
Summer seasons at the ] followed in 1989 and 1990, along with the release of the single "I Am The Music Man", which peaked at No. 52 in the UK.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>
September 1987 saw a switch round: Gibb returned 'full-time' with the band, whilst Barton left to join ].<ref name="AMG"/> Dene Michael Betteridge became a full-time member of Black Lace, and he and Gibb released the single "Jammin' the Sixties" under the name Barracuda. The record was BBC Radio One's Record of the Week, but it failed to chart.


A summer season at the ] followed in 1989 and 1990, plus performances at the ] in the town, along with the release of the single ]" which peaked at No. 52 in the UK.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums" /><ref name="AMG" />
In 1990, Michael left the band, to be replaced by Rob Hopcraft, again, as a 'session singer' as opposed to an actual member,<ref name="AMG"/> Black Lace released the single "Penny Arcade" penned by Sammy King, which had originally been a hit for ]. The band appeared on the BBC's '']'' programme. Meanwhile, former band member Michael formed a new group using the name Barracuda, but disbanded it shortly afterwards. In 1992, Black Lace toured Australia, but Hopcraft was unhappy with a hits album released by an Australian record company, as it featured a photograph of his predecessor, Dene Michael.


In 1991, Betteridge was replaced by Rob Hopcraft,<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://officialblacklace.com/history/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Black Lace {{!}} Ultimate Party Band Agadoo Superman Conga Music Man |language=en-US}}</ref> with Betteridge going on to launch his rival version of the band before re-joining the official Black Lace.
1994 saw the release of the single "Bullshit (Cotton Eyed Joe)", but the race for the charts was won by the Swedish band ], with another version of the same song. An album, ''Saturday Night'', followed.


]
In 1995, Barton died as a result of a coach crash in Germany while touring with Smokie.<ref>{{cite news|author=Pierre Perrone|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-alan-barton-1616108.html|title=Obituary: Alan Barton|work=The Independent|date=18 April 1995|accessdate=21 November 2012}}</ref> Also in that year Black Lace shot a promotional video for the single "Electric Slide" in ], the first video not to be filmed in the UK, and played on British breakfast station ] live from ] in Spain.


In 1995, Barton died as a result of a coach crash in Germany while touring with Smokie.<ref>{{cite news|author=Pierre Perrone|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-alan-barton-1616108.html|title=Obituary: Alan Barton|work=The Independent|date=18 April 1995|access-date=21 November 2012}}</ref>
Black Lace played one-off shows in 1996 at DJ conventions in Canada and ], United States. Plus they released the ''Action Party'' and ''Best Of'' albums. Gibb was presented with special 'Agadoo' guitar to celebrate band's 20th anniversary, but in 1996 Gibb was also made bankrupt by the ].<ref name="Goliath"/>


Black Lace played one-off shows in 1996 at DJ conventions in Canada and ], United States. They also released the ''Action Party'' and ''Best Of'' albums that year. Gibb was presented with a special Agadoo guitar to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary, but he was also made bankrupt by the ].<ref name="Goliath">{{cite web|url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-8527665/The-awful-curse-of-Agadoo.html|title=The awful curse of Agadoo; |publisher=Goliath.ecnext.com|date=14 December 1996|access-date=21 November 2012}}</ref>
15 August 1997 was deemed 'Agadoo Day'. Black Lace played twenty shows in twenty four hours in Manchester, London, Watford, Northampton, Sheffield, Barnsley, Wakefield, and Leeds, finishing at the Frontier Club, Batley. The event raised over £25,000 for ]. ] used "Agadoo" in a TV advertisement for the new ] car, and Black Lace re-recorded the track which spent one week in the UK chart.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> During this period, the group briefly worked with Hull sensation, Nick Boden, they only performed one show with the guitarist before he moved on to form The Neat.


15 August 1997 was dubbed Agadoo Day. Black Lace played 20 shows in 24 hours in Manchester, London, Watford, Northampton, Sheffield, Barnsley, Wakefield and Leeds, finishing at the Frontier Club, Batley. The event raised over £25,000 for ]. ] used "Agadoo" in a TV advertisement for the new ] car, and Black Lace re-recorded the track, renaming it "Agadoo 106 mix", donating all their royalties to ]. The record spent a week in the UK chart.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>
A 1999 Black Lace charity reunion concert was organised by their former drummer, Terry Dobson, to celebrate twenty years since the band represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. Live television interviews took place with ITV's '']'', and the BBC's regional news programmes, on the day of the event. The late Alan Barton's son, Dean, took Alan's place in the band, but original member Steve Scholey declined to attend.


In 2001 Hopcraft was replaced by Camille Wagstaff,<ref>https://officialblacklace.com/history/</ref> with this line-up releasing a cover of The Soca Boys' Dutch hit "Follow the Leader", a song which would become a Top 10 hit by Nigel & Marvin when remixed, as "Follow Da Leader", with the tune from ] hit "I Wanna Be U".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-05-18 |title=NIGEL AND MARVIN |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12070/nigel-and-marvin/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Official Charts |language=en}}</ref>
In 2001, Hopcraft left the band and Gibb was joined by the female singers and dancers 'Katy & Cameil'. Gibb also joined ] tribute band, The B-Eagles, playing bass guitar.


In 2002, Colin Gibb emigrated to ]. Semi-retired, he played 'Black Lace' party shows in hotels and restaurants on the island, occasionally visiting the UK for TV appearances.<ref name="AMG"/> In 2003, an adult-themed album called ''Blue'', originally recorded in the UK years previously by Gibb and Michael, and 'banned' by their own record label) was released in Tenerife. In 2004, Gibb took the 'Black Lace' show to mainland Spain, to appear alongside, Elvis tribute artist 'Mike Young' and other, guest acts at 'The King Lives On' cabaret bar on the ], returning to Tenerife for contracted shows in 2005. In 2007, Gibb married in the UK his long-time girlfriend, Sue Kelly. In 2008, Gibb was invited to play bass with the Tenerife-based, five-piece rock band The Phoenix, and with the duo to the Limit. More recently, he played in the blues rock band Traveler, in addition to performing the Black Lace Show. In 2002, Colin Gibb took the Original Black Lace show to Tenerife, playing the now internationally famous 'party shows' in hotels and restaurants on the island, occasionally visiting the UK for TV appearances.<ref name="AMG" /> Due to this, Flair Records launched a TV reality show in the style of '']'' called ''Agadoo: The Search for the New Black Lace''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-09 |title=Black Lace, ‘Agadoo’: The Sound of Butlins-Core |url=https://off-the-records.com/black-lace-agadoo-the-sound-of-butlins-core/comment-page-1/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Off The Records |language=en-US}}</ref> The 4-episode show featured Gibb and manager John Wagstaff as the judges and was shown on ITV's regional ] service, with the winners releasing a version of Kool and the Gang's "Celebration" as their winners single.<ref>https://officialblacklace.com/history/</ref>


In 2015, a television advertisement for ] was shown on British TV, featuring Betteridge and Robinson (under the name 'Old Lace') performing alongside ] singing along to "Agadoo".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvadsongs.uk/walkers-crisps-advert-music-2015-agadoo-black-lace/ |title=Walkers Crisps Advert – 2015 'Agadoo' Bring It Back Commercial &#124; TV Ad Songs |website=Tvadsongs.uk |access-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> In this year, Betteridge had also appeared alongside ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC One - The Voice UK, Series 4, Blind Auditions 3, Episode 3 in pictures - Esmee Denters |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hnztb/p02hj83h |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> and Eurovision hopeful ]<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hnztb/p02hj83z</ref> on an episode of BBC One's ].<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hnztb/p02hj83m</ref><ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0517j3j</ref> By this time, Gibb had started to perform Black Lace shows in ] and ] with Scottish singer and Oasis FM radio presenter Gordon King, an artist who had issued a solo album under his real name, Gordon Quinn, in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-07-05 |title=Party time with Black Lace in Tenerife • Northern Life |url=https://northernlifemagazine.co.uk/party-time-with-black-lace-in-tenerife/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Northern Life Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2009, Michael started performing again as Black Lace alongside a new addition, the Liverpudlian singer Ian Robinson. They released a new mambo version of "Agadoo". In the accompanying video ], played a cameo role and directed the event. ] and ] also made cameo appearances in the video, as did several members of the cast of the ITV situation comedy, '']''. On 4 November 2009, the new incarnation of Black Lace was filmed by the British airline ], performing a re-written version of "Agadoo", launching a new air service between ] and ] in Morocco, for release on the video-sharing website, YouTube. Dobson's book, ''And Then Came Agadoo'', was published by Authorhouse in November 2009.


In 2016, Dene Michael Betteridge<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-06-27 |title=Black Lace's Dene Michael Betteridge jailed for benefit fraud |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-36640503 |access-date=2025-01-09 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> was jailed for six months for benefit fraud after falsely claiming almost £25,000 for his sciatica, with his wife and 'carer' Karen getting 12-month community order for her role in the scam, with the judge sentencing her to 100 hours of unpaid work.<ref>https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2016-06-27/black-lace-star-dene-michael-jailed-for-benefit-fraud</ref>
Michael and Robinson recorded a new version of "I Am The Music Man" for the BBC ''Children in Need'' appeal in 2009. In 2010, they recorded yet another version of "I Am The Music Man", this time entitled "We Are The England Fans", as an unofficial England supporters' song to coincide with the ]. In 2011, Michael and Robinson recorded a television advertisement for The Trainline.com. This led to a new recording of "Do The Conga". In December that year, Michael teamed up with ] and recorded a Christmas single called "Christmas Time" and an accompanying video. In 2012, Michael recorded two solo records, ''Life Force'', and ''The First Christmas Light'', both of which failed to reach the UK chart.


By 2018, Betteridge was back performing in the clubs, having teamed up with a Kylie Minogue tribute act called Vikki B in a duo called Party Crazy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ENTERTAINMENT - PARTY CRAZY |url=https://www.cullingworthconservativeclub.com/social-events/entertainment-party-crazy/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Cullingworth Con Club |language=en-GB}}</ref> Betteridge had been billing himself as 'Mr Agadoo' by this point in his career, even though he did not appear on the original record, and would find himself back in the Wagstaff managed version of Black Lace later in the year.
In 2013, Gibb teamed up with Phoenix musicians Kevin Alan and Paul Marley to form the trio, We'll Be Back. Kevin Alan died in November the same year.


In 2019, Gibb's Tenerife based version of Black Lace became associated with UK dressage team The Agadoo Girls, consisting of seven members, with Gibb's cousin Debbie Cox as team captain. They came top at their debut Team Quest competition at Richmond Equestrian Centre in June that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://britishdressage.online/event_results/102281|title=Richmond Equestrian Centre TQ Results|date=23 June 2019|website=British Dressage|access-date=6 September 2019}}</ref>
In 2014, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of "Agadoo", Gibb released a limited edition ''Black Lace Live'' album, which was recorded and mixed in Tenerife.


==Colin Gibb - retirement and death==
On 24 January 2015, Dene Michael auditioned for the reality TV show, '']'', where he sang ]'s, "]". He was asked back by the show's producers to perform "Agadoo" along with panel. However, he failed to progress beyond the 'blind auditions' stage.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shahid |first=Sharnaz |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2925000/Black-Lace-frontman-Dene-Michael-supported-Coronation-Street-s-Les-Battersby-fails-blind-auditions-Voice-UK.html |title=Black Lace frontman Dene Michael is supported by Coronation Street's Les Battersby as he fails to get through the blind auditions on The Voice UK |website=Daily Mail |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref>
On 13 May 2024, Colin Gibb announced his retirement on Facebook. His last performance was at the San Eugenio Villa Adeje Beach Hotel in Spain, on 16 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/colingibb.blacklace|title=Colin Gibb Black Lace |website=Facebook.com}}</ref> On 3 June 2024, the band, alongside Gibb's wife, revealed Gibb had died aged 70 the previous day.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://metro.co.uk/2024/06/03/eurovision-black-lace-singer-colin-gibb-dies-aged-70-20958521/amp/|title= Eurovision and Black Lace singer Colin Gibb dies aged 70|date=3 June 2024|website=Metro.co.uk|access-date=3 June 2024}}</ref>


==Recent Career (2024-)==
In November 2015, the Black Lace combination of Gibb and King released "Agadoo (The Space Mix)". A television advertisement for ] was shown on British TV, featuring "Agadoo" with Dene Michael fronting tribute duo 'Old Lace' appearing alongside ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvadsongs.uk/walkers-crisps-advert-music-2015-agadoo-black-lace/ |title=Walkers Crisps Advert – 2015 'Agadoo' Bring It Back Commercial &#124; TV Ad Songs |website=Tvadsongs.uk |accessdate=14 March 2016}}</ref>
As of 2024, the official Flair Entertainments/N.O.W. Music Co. version of Black Lace<ref>https://officialblacklace.com/about/</ref> comprises Phil Temple<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Lace {{!}} Big Weekenders Headline Artists |url=https://www.butlins.com/bigweekenders/experience/headliners/black-lace |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Black Lace {{!}} Big Weekenders Headline Artists |language=en}}</ref> and Craig Harper, a vocalist and comedian, who has previously appeared on '']'', ] and ] '']''.


On 8 September 2024, the duo appeared as special guests<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0022pyr</ref> at ] as part of ''Paddy McGuinness’ Sunday School Disco.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Radio 2 in the Park 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e89j6q/performances#all |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=BBC Music Events |language=en}}</ref>
In 2016, Gibb celebrating forty years with Black Lace, teamed up with the guitarist and vocalist, Gordon King, for live shows, making the original Black Lace a duo again. Dene Michael appeared on the reality court room TV show, '']'', being 'sued' by his wife.<ref>{{cite web|title=Judge Rinder (2014– ) : Episode #4.12 |publisher=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il86xYAvayA |title=Dene Michael From Black Lace Talks About Singing 'Agadoo' &#124; Judge Rinder |via=YouTube |accessdate=15 March 2016}}</ref>


In November 2024, the duo appeared on the BBC One Children in Need programme ''Paddy: The Ride of My Life'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2024, Paddy: The Ride of My Life |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00256cg |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> where they were seen performing "]" alongside ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guyoncourt |first=Sally |date=2024-11-15 |title=How much Paddy McGuinness raised for Children in Need – and how to donate |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/how-much-paddy-mcguinness-raised-for-children-in-need-and-how-to-donate-3382399?srsltid=AfmBOor0kScx9cxKVe4NheGL8Ff6eBS_UH0mtl2nV2WXGCx1WlUAJ1x6 |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=The i Paper |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McLoughlin |first=Lisa |date=2024-11-15 |title=Paddy McGuinness raises £7.5m for Children in Need as he completes epic cycle |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/paddy-mcguinness-children-in-need-cycling-challenge-end-glasgow-b1194216.html |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref> and Sir Chris Hoy<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live Updates - Follow Paddy McGuinness’s Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge for Radio 2 in aid of Children in Need |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/live/cp875rjrylpt |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=BBC Website |language=en-GB}}</ref> in the car park of Westmorland's ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://cairnlodgeservices.com/about/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Cairn Lodge |language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 27 June 2016, Dene Michael was jailed for six months for benefit fraud. While performing with 'Old Lace' performing solo shows and filming the 'Walkers' crisp ad, as well as working during the day as a van driver. he had been claiming ] and had received £25,000 over a two-year period.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crime/aga-done-black-lace-frontman-jailed-for-claiming-25k-in-benefits-while-playing-gigs-1-7984945 |title=Aga-done! Black Lace frontman jailed for claiming £25k in benefits while playing gigs |newspaper=Yorkshire Post |date=27 June 2016 |accessdate=27 June 2016}}</ref>
After serving his sentence, The Ex-Black Lace singer, now works part time, as a 'solo' singer and part time DJ.to pay back his fraudulent claim.

==In popular culture==
The group were famously lampooned in the UK No. 1 chart single ], recorded as part of the '']'' programme. A parody of Black Lace's style, it contained a specific reference to the band with the line "those two wet gits with their girly curly hair".

Black Lace (Barton and Gibb) have also been voted in the top five all time; 'Best Party' songs, 'Best Holiday' songs and 'Worst Records of all time'


==Personnel== ==Personnel==
*]
;Current members
* Phil Temple
*Colin Gibb
*Gordon King

;Former members ;Former members
*] (d. 1995) – guitar, lead and backing vocals <small>(1973–1987)</small> *] – guitar, lead and backing vocals <small>(1973–1987; died 1995)</small>
*] – drums, backing vocals <small>(1973–1981)</small> *] – drums, backing vocals <small>(1973–1981)</small>
*Ian Howarth – lead guitar <small>(1973–1974)</small> bass guitar *] (Colin Routh) – guitar – lead vocals <small>(1976–2024; died 2024)</small> (Official version and Tenerife version)
* Ian Howarth – lead guitar, bass guitar, vocals <small>(1973–1976)</small>
*Steve Scholey – lead vocals <small>(1973–1981)</small> *Steve Scholey – lead vocals <small>(1973–1981)</small>
*Dene Michael – lead vocals-guitar <small>(1987–1991)</small> *Dene Michael (Betteridge) – lead vocals <small>(1987–1991, 2018-2023)</small> (Official version) <small>(1991–2018)</small> (rival version)
*Rob Hopcraft – lead vocals <small>(1991–2000)</small> *Rob Hopcraft – lead vocals <small>(1991–2000; died 2020)</small>
*Gordon King (Gordon Quinn) – lead vocals and guitar <small>(2015–2024)</small> (Tenerife version)


==Discography== ==Discography==
===Singles===
* 1979: "]" (] #42)
* 1979: "So Long Suzi Baby"
* 1980: "Hey Hey Jock McRay"
* 1982: "Birds Dance" (aka "]") (As 'Buzby')
* 1983: "]" (UK #9)
* 1983: "Hey You"
* 1984: "]" (UK #2)
* 1984: "Do The Conga" (UK #10)
* 1985: "El Vino Collapso" (UK #42)
* 1985: "I Speaka Da Lingo" (UK #49)
* 1985: "]" (UK #31)
* 1986: "Viva La Mexico"
* 1986: "Wig Wam Bam" (UK #63)
* 1989: "Gang Bang"
* 1990: "]" (UK #52)
* 1991: "Jamin the 60's" (As 'Barracuda')
* 1992: "Penny Arcade"
* 1994: "]"
* 1996: "The Electric Slide"
* 1997: "]"
* 1997: "Agadoo – 106 Mix" (re-recording) (UK #64)
* 2000: "Follow The Leader"
* 2009: "Mega-Mega Mix"
* 2009: "Agadoo Mambo" (Dene Michael)
* 2009: "Music Man 2009" (Dene Michael)
* 2010: "We Are The England Fans" (Dene Michael)
* 2011: "Do The Conga (Trainline mix)" (Dene Michael)<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>
* 2015: "Agadoo 2015 (crisp mix)" (Dene Michael)
* 2015: "Agadoo (The Space Mix)"

===Albums=== ===Albums===
* 1984: ''Black Lace'' * 1984: ''Black Lace''
* 1984: ''Party Party – 16 Great Party Icebreakers'' (] #4) * 1984: ''Party Party – 16 Great Party Icebreakers'' (] No. 4)
* 1985: ''Party Party 2'' (UK #18) * 1985: ''Party Party 2'' (UK No. 18)
* 1986: ''Party Crazy'' (UK #58) * 1986: ''Party Crazy'' (UK No. 58)
* 1987: ''16 Greatest Party Hits'' * 1987: ''16 Greatest Party Hits''
* 1990: ''20 All Time Party Favourites'' * 1989: ''20 All Time Party Favourites''
* 1993: ''Action Party'' * 1993: ''Action Party''
* 1995: ''Saturday Night'' * 1995: ''Saturday Night''
Line 160: Line 133:
* 1998: ''What a Party'' * 1998: ''What a Party''
* 2000: ''Black Lace's Greatest Ever Party Album'' * 2000: ''Black Lace's Greatest Ever Party Album''
* 2006: '']'' * 2006: ''Black Lace: Greatest Hits''
* 2010: ''The Blue Album'' – Banned in the UK * 2010: ''The Blue Album'' – Banned in the UK
* 2013: ''The Blue Album'' – Banned in the UK – 'Re-Release' <ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> * 2013: ''The Blue Album'' – Banned in the UK – 're-release' <ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>
* 2014: ''Black Lace 'Live Beach Party' '' (limited edition) * 2014: ''Black Lace 'Live Beach Party''' (limited edition)
* 2023: ''The Party Album (24 All Time Party Favourites)''

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |Year
! rowspan="2" |Single
! colspan="6" |Peak chart positions
|-
!<small>]</small><ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|publisher=Australian Chart Book|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|edition=illustrated|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|author-link=David Kent (historian)}}</ref>
!<small>]</small><ref>{{Cite web|title=lescharts.com - Les charts français|url=https://lescharts.com/search.asp?search=black+lace&cat=s|access-date=2020-11-17|website=lescharts.com}}</ref>
!<small>]</small><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Irish Charts - All there is to know|url=http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement|access-date=2020-11-17|website=irishcharts.ie}}</ref>
!<small>]</small><ref>{{Cite web|title=charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal|url=https://charts.nz/search.asp?search=black+lace&cat=s|access-date=2020-11-17|website=charts.nz}}</ref>
!<small>]</small><ref>{{Cite web|title=South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (B)|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(B).html|access-date=2020-11-17|website=www.rock.co.za}}</ref>
!<small>]</small><ref>{{Cite web|title=BLACK LACE {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/17550/black-lace/|access-date=2020-11-17|website=www.officialcharts.com}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |1979
| align="left" |"]"
|—
|—
|19
|—
|—
|42
|-
| align="left" |"So Long Suzi Baby"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
|1980
| align="left" |"Hey Hey Jock McRay" (Denmark-only release)
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
|1982
| align="left" |"Birds Dance" (aka "]") (As 'Buzby')
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
| rowspan="2" |1983
| align="left" |"]"
|—
|—
|25
|—
|—
|9
|-
| align="left" |"Hey You"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
| rowspan="2" |1984
| align="left" |"]"
|16
|48
|5
|9
|3
|2
|-
| align="left" |"Do the Conga"
|—
|—
|12
|—
|—
|10
|-
| rowspan="3" |1985
| align="left" |"El Vino Collapso"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|42
|-
| align="left" |"I Speaka da Lingo"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|49
|-
| align="left" |"]"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|31
|-
| rowspan="2" |1986
| align="left" |"Viva la Mexico"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|79
|-
| align="left" |"]"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|63
|-
|1989
| align="left" |"]"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|52
|-
| rowspan="2" |1990
| align="left" |"Gang Bang"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|90
|-
| align="left" |"Jammin' the 60's" (as 'Barracuda')
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
|1992
| align="left" |"Penny Arcade"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
|1994
| align="left" |"Bullsh*t (])"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|83
|-
|1996
| align="left" |"]" (featuring The Electric Boogie Line Dance)
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|83
|-
|1997
| align="left" |"]"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
|1998
| align="left" |"Agadoo (106 Dance Mix)" (re-recording)
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|64
|-
|2000
| align="left" |"Follow the Leader"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
| rowspan="3" |2009
| align="left" |"Mega-Mega Mix" (Spain-only release)
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
| align="left" |"Agadoo Mambo" (Dene Michael)
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
| align="left" |"Music Man 2009" (Dene Michael)
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
|2010
| align="left" |"We Are the England Fans" (Dene Michael)
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
|2011
| align="left" |"Do the Conga (Trainline Mix)" (Dene Michael)<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums" />
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
| rowspan="2" |2015
| align="left" |"Agadoo 2015 (Crisp Mix)" (Dene Michael)
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
| align="left" |"Agadoo (The Space Mix)"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
| colspan="8" style="font-size:8pt" |"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released
|}


==References== ==References==
Line 169: Line 410:


==External links== ==External links==
* *
* *
* *
* *
* * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101101721/http://www.denemichael.co.uk/ |date=1 November 2020 }}
*
* {{discogs artist|Black Lace}}
* {{imdb name|1569146}}


{{S-start}} {{S-start}}
{{s-ach}} {{s-ach}}
{{Succession box| {{Succession box|
before=]<br>with "]" | | before=]<br>with "]"
title=] | | title=]
| years=]
years=1979 |
after=]<br>with "]" | | after=]<br>with "]"
}} }}
{{S-end}} {{S-end}}
{{Black Lace}} {{Black Lace}}
{{United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest|state=collapsed}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 1979|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Black Lace}}
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 09:09, 9 January 2025

British pop band
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Black Lace
Black Lace in 1979. Colin Gibb, Alan Barton, Terry Dobson and Steve Scholey
Background information
GenresNovelty, pop
Years active1973 (1973)–2024
Musical artist

Black Lace are a British pop band, best known for novelty party records, including their biggest hit, "Agadoo". The band first came to the public eye after being selected to represent the UK in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, in which they finished seventh with the song "Mary Ann". The band had numerous line-up changes, with Colin Gibb being the longest serving original member, until retiring and dying in 2024. Currently Black Lace are composed of Phil Temple and 2008 Britain's Got Talent contestant Craig Harper.

Over the years, Black Lace toured around the world, playing party shows throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Canada and the US, and are known for their novelty party anthems such as "Superman" and "Do the Conga".

Pre-Black Lace (1969–1973)

Terry Dobson and school friend Ian Howarth formed The Impact as a five-piece pop group in 1969, with Alan Barton, Steve Scholey and Nigel Scott. The group also performed under the names Penny Arcade and Love or Confusion.

Ian Howarth left the band for a short while but returned to the line-up in 1973, and Dobson also left, to be replaced briefly by Neil Hardcastle. Dobson then re-joined, and Scott left in 1973, that same year the band adopted the name Black Lace. Ian Howarth left the band for good in 1976, and was replaced by Colin Gibb (born Colin Routh, 8 December 1953).

Black Lace (1976–1981)

Ian Howarth was replaced by Colin Gibb during late spring of 1976 and after turning professional, the band toured the majority of the UK, managed by Keith Mills, commencing their first summer season at the Skegness Central Pier Bier.

The following year their summer season would take them to Butlins in Filey, North Yorkshire and Skegness, Lincolnshire. An EP was recorded and produced by comedian Freddie 'Parrot face' Davies at his studio, which was to be sold at their shows. The group were voted Yorkshire Band of the Year by BBC Radio Leeds, and best clubland group playing at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

In 1979, Black Lace recorded their first single, "Mary Ann", for ATV music and a recording contract followed with EMI. As the song required a more 'throaty' vocal, Alan Barton was moved to being lead singer, with Steve Scholey on backing vocals for the band's recordings, but remaining as lead singer on live performances. The song won the BBC Television's A Song For Europe and the band went on to represent the UK at the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest held in Israel, with the band finishing seventh. Other television appearances around this time included Nationwide, Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Top of the Pops and Juke Box Jury. "Mary Ann" reached No. 42 in the UK Singles Chart.

The band's follow-up single, "So Long Suzy Baby", failed to chart in the UK (as EMI could not decide on which track should be used, and delayed the planned release date), but achieved success in Europe. Black Lace found success with live performances and TV shows, notably the Sopot International Song Festival in Poland, the Golden Orpheus festival in Bulgaria, and on TV in East Germany, West Germany and Spain.

The band toured Denmark in 1980, supporting Suzi Quatro and working with Tommy Seebach, a Danish entertainer. Black Lace and Seebach recorded "Hey Hey Jock McRay" for the Danish singles market, but an intended 1980 tour of Poland was called off because of political unrest in the country.

Chart success (1981–1987)

In 1981, the band split. Dobson joined the Castleford rock band Stormer, who had a recording contract with Ringo Starr. Scholey departed and the band had to settle huge debts incurred whilst touring. The band became a duo, consisting of Gibb and Barton. It was this line-up that would give the band its biggest chart success.

The duo played the Northern club circuit using pre-recorded backing tracks, which was controversial at the time. Initially, they used the name Lace, but soon reverted to Black Lace and recruited a new manager, John Wagstaff. They recorded an instrumental single based on the "Chicken Dance", released as "Birds Dance" in 1981 (using the name Buzby instead of Black Lace). However, the record was beaten to the charts by another version of the song by The Tweets, released as "The Birdie Song". "Birds Dance" has since been retitled "The Birdie Song" and included on Black Lace albums.

Black Lace's 1983 "Superman" single was their first one under their own name on the Flair label, and a promotional video was shot at Casanova's nightclub in Wakefield. One of the hired dancers was the then unknown singer Jane McDonald. "Superman" reached No. 9 in the UK chart, but an attempt at a follow-up single, "Hey You!", failed to chart, despite being BBC Radio One's Record of the Week. Black Lace received a silver disc for sales of "Superman". They proceeded to tour Denmark with Danish stars Laban and Snapshots.

The band's biggest success came in 1984 with the single "Agadoo", selling over one million copies worldwide, and reaching No. 2 in the UK chart. "Agadoo" was a hit in Europe, South Africa and Australia. Having been presented with a gold disc for sales in the UK, radio interview presenter Richard Whiteley forgot Gibb's name and referred to him as 'Mr Agadoo' (the name Dene Michael later adopted for himself, despite having no connection to the record). The duo recorded their first album, Black Lace, at Stuck Ranch studios in Denmark. Around this time, their record distribution company Pinnacle went into receivership, leading to Black Lace and their record company losing an estimated quarter of a million pounds in unpaid royalties for "Agadoo".

The band's follow-up single, "Do The Conga", reached No. 10 in the UK chart, and the accompanying album Party Party – 16 Great Party Icebreakers sold over 650,000 copies in the first five weeks, reaching double platinum status and leading to the band doing TV shows in Germany, Luxembourg, France and Denmark.

In 1985, another single, "El Vino Collapso", was released, with the video shot in Skegness. It failed to reach the top 40, stalling at No. 42 in the UK Singles Chart due to it being 'banned' by the BBC in the wake of the Heysel Stadium disaster. As it had references to "drinking whilst abroad", it was deemed unsuitable for radio play. Further releases "I Speaka Da Lingo" and "Hokey Cokey" reached No. 49 and No. 31 respectively.

Black Lace in 1985

Black Lace also participated in the recording of the UK No. 1 hit "You'll Never Walk Alone" as part of the charity ensemble, The Crowd (which included members of 10cc, Thin Lizzy, Motörhead, The Hollies, Argent, The Who, The Nolans, The Searchers, Smokie, Gerry and the Pacemakers, plus many more) to raise funds for the families of the victims of the Bradford City stadium fire.

Black Lace's second album Party Party 2 was released for Christmas 1985, and television appearances included The Old Grey Whistle Test, 3-2-1, ITV Telethon, Miss Yorkshire Television, International Disco Dance Championship, Pebble Mill at One and the Top of the Pops Christmas Special. Because of such a demanding work schedule, Barton and Gibb found it necessary to charter a private aircraft to meet the deadlines, but the band's success led to a tax demand in excess of £100,000.

In 1986, Dene Michael Betteridge (a club singer also known as Michael Dene, as well Dene Michael) replaced Gibb, who took time out of live work with Black Lace (remaining an official member of the band) to concentrate on other projects, including promoting pop act Party Party and participating in two tours of Germany, concentrating on a part-time photography business, setting up a food retail outlet, and a music equipment retail and installation business.

Another single, "Wig Wam Bam", (featuring Barton, Gibb and Betteridge) reached No. 63 in the UK chart, but "Viva La Mexico", which was released to capitalise on the 1986 FIFA World Cup football competition, flopped when England were knocked out. Black Lace (Barton and Betteridge) appeared as themselves in the 1987 film Rita, Sue and Bob Too performing "Gang Bang", which had been recorded by Barton and Gibb the previous year. The pair were also immortalised as caricatures in the TV show Spitting Image and the hit single "The Chicken Song". The band had a UK hit with their album Party Crazy.

Later career (1987–2023)

September 1987 saw a switch round: Gibb returned 'full-time' with the band, whilst Barton left to join Smokie. Dene Michael Betteridge became a full-time member of Black Lace, and he and Gibb released the single "Jammin' the Sixties" under the name Barracuda. The record was BBC Radio One's Record of the Week, but it failed to chart.

A summer season at the Blackpool Tower followed in 1989 and 1990, plus performances at the BBC Radio One Roadshow in the town, along with the release of the single "I Am The Music Man" which peaked at No. 52 in the UK.

In 1991, Betteridge was replaced by Rob Hopcraft, with Betteridge going on to launch his rival version of the band before re-joining the official Black Lace.

Gibb and Hopcraft in 1994

In 1995, Barton died as a result of a coach crash in Germany while touring with Smokie.

Black Lace played one-off shows in 1996 at DJ conventions in Canada and Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. They also released the Action Party and Best Of albums that year. Gibb was presented with a special Agadoo guitar to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary, but he was also made bankrupt by the Inland Revenue.

15 August 1997 was dubbed Agadoo Day. Black Lace played 20 shows in 24 hours in Manchester, London, Watford, Northampton, Sheffield, Barnsley, Wakefield and Leeds, finishing at the Frontier Club, Batley. The event raised over £25,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Peugeot used "Agadoo" in a TV advertisement for the new 106 car, and Black Lace re-recorded the track, renaming it "Agadoo 106 mix", donating all their royalties to Marie Curie Cancer Care. The record spent a week in the UK chart.

In 2001 Hopcraft was replaced by Camille Wagstaff, with this line-up releasing a cover of The Soca Boys' Dutch hit "Follow the Leader", a song which would become a Top 10 hit by Nigel & Marvin when remixed, as "Follow Da Leader", with the tune from Chocolate Puma's hit "I Wanna Be U".

In 2002, Colin Gibb took the Original Black Lace show to Tenerife, playing the now internationally famous 'party shows' in hotels and restaurants on the island, occasionally visiting the UK for TV appearances. Due to this, Flair Records launched a TV reality show in the style of The X Factor called Agadoo: The Search for the New Black Lace. The 4-episode show featured Gibb and manager John Wagstaff as the judges and was shown on ITV's regional Yorkshire TV service, with the winners releasing a version of Kool and the Gang's "Celebration" as their winners single.

In 2015, a television advertisement for Walkers crisps was shown on British TV, featuring Betteridge and Robinson (under the name 'Old Lace') performing alongside Gary Lineker singing along to "Agadoo". In this year, Betteridge had also appeared alongside Esmée Denters and Eurovision hopeful Joe Woolford on an episode of BBC One's The Voice UK. By this time, Gibb had started to perform Black Lace shows in Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos with Scottish singer and Oasis FM radio presenter Gordon King, an artist who had issued a solo album under his real name, Gordon Quinn, in the 1970s.

In 2016, Dene Michael Betteridge was jailed for six months for benefit fraud after falsely claiming almost £25,000 for his sciatica, with his wife and 'carer' Karen getting 12-month community order for her role in the scam, with the judge sentencing her to 100 hours of unpaid work.

By 2018, Betteridge was back performing in the clubs, having teamed up with a Kylie Minogue tribute act called Vikki B in a duo called Party Crazy. Betteridge had been billing himself as 'Mr Agadoo' by this point in his career, even though he did not appear on the original record, and would find himself back in the Wagstaff managed version of Black Lace later in the year.

In 2019, Gibb's Tenerife based version of Black Lace became associated with UK dressage team The Agadoo Girls, consisting of seven members, with Gibb's cousin Debbie Cox as team captain. They came top at their debut Team Quest competition at Richmond Equestrian Centre in June that year.

Colin Gibb - retirement and death

On 13 May 2024, Colin Gibb announced his retirement on Facebook. His last performance was at the San Eugenio Villa Adeje Beach Hotel in Spain, on 16 May. On 3 June 2024, the band, alongside Gibb's wife, revealed Gibb had died aged 70 the previous day.

Recent Career (2024-)

As of 2024, the official Flair Entertainments/N.O.W. Music Co. version of Black Lace comprises Phil Temple and Craig Harper, a vocalist and comedian, who has previously appeared on Britain's Got Talent, Michael Barrymore's TV show and Jane McDonald's Star for a Night.

On 8 September 2024, the duo appeared as special guests at Radio 2 in the Park, Preston 2024 as part of Paddy McGuinness’ Sunday School Disco.

In November 2024, the duo appeared on the BBC One Children in Need programme Paddy: The Ride of My Life, where they were seen performing "Agadoo" alongside Paddy McGuinness and Sir Chris Hoy in the car park of Westmorland's Cairn Lodge Services.

Personnel

Former members
  • Alan Barton – guitar, lead and backing vocals (1973–1987; died 1995)
  • Terry Dobson – drums, backing vocals (1973–1981)
  • Colin Gibb (Colin Routh) – guitar – lead vocals (1976–2024; died 2024) (Official version and Tenerife version)
  • Ian Howarth – lead guitar, bass guitar, vocals (1973–1976)
  • Steve Scholey – lead vocals (1973–1981)
  • Dene Michael (Betteridge) – lead vocals (1987–1991, 2018-2023) (Official version) (1991–2018) (rival version)
  • Rob Hopcraft – lead vocals (1991–2000; died 2020)
  • Gordon King (Gordon Quinn) – lead vocals and guitar (2015–2024) (Tenerife version)

Discography

Albums

  • 1984: Black Lace
  • 1984: Party Party – 16 Great Party Icebreakers (UK No. 4)
  • 1985: Party Party 2 (UK No. 18)
  • 1986: Party Crazy (UK No. 58)
  • 1987: 16 Greatest Party Hits
  • 1989: 20 All Time Party Favourites
  • 1993: Action Party
  • 1995: Saturday Night
  • 1997: Greatest Hits
  • 1998: What a Party
  • 2000: Black Lace's Greatest Ever Party Album
  • 2006: Black Lace: Greatest Hits
  • 2010: The Blue Album – Banned in the UK
  • 2013: The Blue Album – Banned in the UK – 're-release'
  • 2014: Black Lace 'Live Beach Party' (limited edition)
  • 2023: The Party Album (24 All Time Party Favourites)

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions
AUS FRA IRE NZ SA UK
1979 "Mary Ann" — — 19 — — 42
"So Long Suzi Baby" — — — — — —
1980 "Hey Hey Jock McRay" (Denmark-only release) — — — — — —
1982 "Birds Dance" (aka "The Birdie Song") (As 'Buzby') — — — — — —
1983 "Superman (Gioca Jouer)" — — 25 — — 9
"Hey You" — — — — — —
1984 "Agadoo" 16 48 5 9 3 2
"Do the Conga" — — 12 — — 10
1985 "El Vino Collapso" — — — — — 42
"I Speaka da Lingo" — — — — — 49
"Hokey Cokey" — — — — — 31
1986 "Viva la Mexico" — — — — — 79
"Wig-Wam Bam" — — — — — 63
1989 "I Am the Music Man" — — — — — 52
1990 "Gang Bang" — — — — — 90
"Jammin' the 60's" (as 'Barracuda') — — — — — —
1992 "Penny Arcade" — — — — — —
1994 "Bullsh*t (Cotton-Eyed Joe)" — — — — — 83
1996 "The Electric Slide" (featuring The Electric Boogie Line Dance) — — — — — 83
1997 "Macarena" — — — — — —
1998 "Agadoo (106 Dance Mix)" (re-recording) — — — — — 64
2000 "Follow the Leader" — — — — — —
2009 "Mega-Mega Mix" (Spain-only release) — — — — — —
"Agadoo Mambo" (Dene Michael) — — — — — —
"Music Man 2009" (Dene Michael) — — — — — —
2010 "We Are the England Fans" (Dene Michael) — — — — — —
2011 "Do the Conga (Trainline Mix)" (Dene Michael) — — — — — —
2015 "Agadoo 2015 (Crisp Mix)" (Dene Michael) — — — — — —
"Agadoo (The Space Mix)" — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released

References

  1. "About". Black Lace | Ultimate Party Band Agadoo Superman Conga Music Man. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  2. "Black Lace | Big Weekenders Headline Artists". Black Lace | Big Weekenders Headline Artists. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  3. "Craig Harper". Flair Entertainments. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  4. ^ "Biography by Sharon Mawer". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  5. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 60. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. "Buzby record release". Discos. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  7. Bromley, Tom (2012). Wired for Sound: Now That's What I Call An Eighties Music Childhood. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780857203236.
  8. Miles, Tina (26 March 2009). "Merseyside dad hopes for chart success with Black Lace hit Agadoo". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  9. EveryHit.com - search for "Black Lace" as "Name of artist" and "Agadoo" as "Title of song"
  10. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 128. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  11. "Agadoo singer led a '60-man conga of inmates in prison'". Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  12. "History". Black Lace | Ultimate Party Band Agadoo Superman Conga Music Man. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  13. Pierre Perrone (18 April 1995). "Obituary: Alan Barton". The Independent. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  14. "The awful curse of Agadoo;". Goliath.ecnext.com. 14 December 1996. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  15. https://officialblacklace.com/history/
  16. "NIGEL AND MARVIN". Official Charts. 18 May 2002. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  17. "Black Lace, 'Agadoo': The Sound of Butlins-Core". Off The Records. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  18. https://officialblacklace.com/history/
  19. "Walkers Crisps Advert – 2015 'Agadoo' Bring It Back Commercial | TV Ad Songs". Tvadsongs.uk. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  20. "BBC One - The Voice UK, Series 4, Blind Auditions 3, Episode 3 in pictures - Esmee Denters". BBC. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  21. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hnztb/p02hj83z
  22. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hnztb/p02hj83m
  23. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0517j3j
  24. "Party time with Black Lace in Tenerife • Northern Life". Northern Life Magazine. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  25. "Black Lace's Dene Michael Betteridge jailed for benefit fraud". BBC News. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  26. https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2016-06-27/black-lace-star-dene-michael-jailed-for-benefit-fraud
  27. "ENTERTAINMENT - PARTY CRAZY". Cullingworth Con Club. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  28. "Richmond Equestrian Centre TQ Results". British Dressage. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  29. "Colin Gibb Black Lace". Facebook.com.
  30. "Eurovision and Black Lace singer Colin Gibb dies aged 70". Metro.co.uk. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  31. https://officialblacklace.com/about/
  32. "Black Lace | Big Weekenders Headline Artists". Black Lace | Big Weekenders Headline Artists. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  33. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0022pyr
  34. "Radio 2 in the Park 2024". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  35. "BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2024, Paddy: The Ride of My Life". BBC. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  36. Guyoncourt, Sally (15 November 2024). "How much Paddy McGuinness raised for Children in Need – and how to donate". The i Paper. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  37. McLoughlin, Lisa (15 November 2024). "Paddy McGuinness raises £7.5m for Children in Need as he completes epic cycle". The Standard. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  38. "Live Updates - Follow Paddy McGuinness's Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge for Radio 2 in aid of Children in Need". BBC Website. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  39. "About". Cairn Lodge. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  40. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  41. "lescharts.com - Les charts français". lescharts.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  42. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  43. "charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  44. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (B)". www.rock.co.za. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  45. "BLACK LACE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded byCo-Co
with "The Bad Old Days" 		UK in the Eurovision Song Contest
1979 		Succeeded byPrima Donna
with "Love Enough for Two"
Black Lace
Albums
Singles
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest
National selection (former; contestants)
Participation
Artists
Songs
  • Note: Entries scored out signify where the United Kingdom did not compete. Italics indicate an entry in a future contest.
  • See also: UK Eurovision discography
Eurovision Song Contest 1979
Countries
Final
Withdrawn
  • Turkey
Artists
Final
Withdrawn
Songs
Final
Withdrawn
  • "Seviyorum"
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