Mark Burgess (musician)

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Mark Burgess (born 11 May 1960) is a English singer, bass player and songwriter, is the lead singer and main force behind English post-punk band The Chameleons since its founding in 1981.

[edit] Career

The Chameleons was formed with guitarists Dave Fielding and Reg Smithies and drummer John Lever. Soon after the first break-up, Burgess reunited with John Lever to form "The Sun & the Moon", with guitarist Andy Clegg (who had played keyboards with the Chameleons) and second guitarist Andy Whitaker. Most of his solo work has been recorded with the different members of this band (including Neil Dweryhouse, Yves Altana, and Karen Leatham).

In 1997, Burgess formed 'Invincible' with Altana and recorded the album Venus in a water tower in North Manchester with drummer Geoff Walker. The group toured the UK in 1998 with Phil Cuthbert playing bass and keyboards. Cuthbert left the group to pursue a solo career after the tour at which point Burgess started playing bass, and Danny Ashberry was recruited to take over the keyboard / backing vocal role. After a couple of concerts, Walker found the pressure of stardom, and was replaced by Craig Barry on drums. The band then embarked on a successful UK tour in 1999. The various members then disembarked across Europe to live, and, although keeping their friendship intact, Burgess and Altana splintered to form the band 'Bird', initially with Barry on drums (supporting New Model Army on their UK tour), but in 2006, enlisting Achim Farber on drums in a slimmed down three piece outfit playing a selection of Invincible and Chameleons songs interwoven with a selection of new songs.

In November 2006, Bird played a short set at the Middleton Civic Hall, Manchester as part of a benefit concert for lighting technician and ex Chameleons live keyboard player Andy Moore, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumour whilst touring with Jamie Cullum. Moore died one year later, in November 2007.