Roy White (1985-86)

Roy White began his career in music in 1977 when he co-founded Berlin with Johnny ‘Riff’ Reynolds (guitar, later 3D), James Mealy (bass), Gerry Garland (sax, both later Victims of Romance, Bamboo Fringe), and Roy Banks. When Banks left and was replaced by Brian Rawlins (later Liverpool Express, 3D, Keep it Dark) the band changed the name to Fun. This ‘progressive rockband’ had one track (I Heard You Called My Name) released on the compilation Street to Street Vol. 1 in 1978 (see relevant post). In 1979 Fun became Victims of Romance, as Reynolds left to join 3D and Steve Torch and Hambi (former Tontrix) were added to the line-up. In 1980 members of Victims of Romance went their separate ways, whereas White and Torch collaborated with Jayne Casey (former Big in Japan , later Pink Industry) in the Pink Military (White and Torch are among the personnel playing on the Pink Military’s Blood and Lipstick Ep, Sept. 1979, see relevant post).In 1980 Roy White and Steve Torch’s partnership got established and the duo began to release a series between 1980 to 1984.
In 1985 the due split and Roy White started working as a solo artist (mainly with the support of the same session musician who had worked with White and Torch, namely Jim Mealy (guitars), David Levy (bass), Charlie Morgan (drums), Jackie Robinson (a.k.a. Jaq Robinson, vocals), Di Wright (vocals). In September 1985 Roy White debuted as a solo artist releasing his first single:

Strange to Be with You (1985)
- Strange to Be with You

(b/w We Are America)

In December of the same year the accompanying Lp followed:

Shanty (1985)

- Stand In Line

- Don´t Stop Tommorow

- Sophie´s Choice

- Criminal Mind

- Shanty

- Strange To Be With You

- Shoot Myself

- Nothing To Remind Me

- Angel Loves Joe

- Ice On The Sun

- Reputation

- Lest We Forget

The cassette release apparently contained 4 bonus tracks. The album was not positively received and reviewed by the music press. For instance, this is what Robin Gibson wrote in Sounds:
‘Some of his album is unselfconscious and pleasant, and thus ready to be foolishly enjoyed. But much of it harbours grand intentions which fall very flat - to a point of boredom’ (January 4, 1986)

In February 1986 a second single followed:

Lest We Forget (1986):
- Lets We Forget
- Nothing to Remind Me
- Criminal Minds

After his experience as a soloist, White was joined King Of Fools in the nineties, which released an in 1991. and later formed The Truemen.

Roy White’s album Shanty can be found at the great site Rip it Up, here.
Thanks to Mikeyten for the great blog.

(see also: http://www.myspace.com/thetruemen )