Laura is down at The 02 Academy in Liverpool to speak to the fans of Adam Ant.
Saturday 28th February 2011 saw THE King of the Wild Frontier, the one and only Adam Ant, perform with his new band ‘The Good, The Mad and The Lovely’ at The 02 Academy in Liverpool. Ant started life as Stuart Leslie Goddard and his first band ‘Bazooka Joe’ gave ‘The Sex Pistols’ their very first gig as support act. Ant was so impressed by what he saw that he left ‘Bazooka Joe’ to form ‘B-Sides’ though the band never actually progressed into a live act. The first incarnation of Adam and The Ants was formed in 1977 with punk icon Jordan as manager. Their first album ‘Dirk Wears White Sox’ was released in 1979. Ant made the foolish move of asking Malcolm McLaren to manage them, who in return stole all the Ants to form ‘Bow Wow Wow’ with 16 year old Annabella Lwin on vocals. With the help of Marco Pirroni, Kevin Mooney and the unique double drumming style of Merrick and Terry Lee Miall, Adam and The Ants were formed and the world of pop music had a new heartthrob to idolise. Ant Mania took hold in earnest with the release of 1980’s ‘Kings of The Wild Frontier’ spawning the singles ‘Ant Music’ and ‘Dog Eat Dog’. 1981 saw the release of their follow up album ‘Prince Charming’ and the swift departure of bassist Kevin Mooney to be replaced by former ‘Roxy Music’ bass player Gary Tibbs. The album provided the three singles ‘Stand and Deliver’, ‘Prince Charming’ and ‘Ant Rap’; all were accompanied by lavish pop videos as the MTV generation was born. This was to be the last album they recorded with Ant and Marco Pirroni going on to release the album ‘Friend or Foe’ which gave Adam Ant success on the other side of the pond. In the interim years, Ant forged an acting career and has had an on-going struggle with his bi-polar disorder. Now he is back with his new band ‘The Good, The Mad and The Lovely’ playing songs from his song writing catalogue from Dirk to Wonderful 1976/2011 and featuring selections from his new album "Adam Ant is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunners Daughter". He has sold out the 02 Academy and WinkBall reporters were down there to witness Ant Mania noughties style. Did you used to kiss his poster before you went to bed at night? Don’t be shy, share your Ant Mania memories with us here at WinkBall.com