Dead or Alive

Headed by the flamboyant androgynous personality of Pete Burns, formerly of The Mystery Girls and Nightmares in Wax, Dead Or Alive was originally formed in 1980 with Martin Healey, Sue James, Joe Musker and a revolving door of guitarists. The band made its debut in the charts with I'm Falling, just as the New Romantic movement dominated the charts. As the band's sound delved further into dance, they eventually landed a major deal with Epic Records and by 1984 the line-up had stabilised to just Burns, bassist Mike Percy, keyboardist Lever and drummer Coy for their first major hit That's The Way (I Like It). From their Youthquake album (produced by Stock, Aitken and Waterman) came the band's first Number 1 single You Spin Me Round (Like A Record), achieving top 10 status in countries around the world. Stock Aitken and Waterman also produced the band's third album, Mad, Bad And Dangerous To Know, released in 1987, but separated from the production team in 1988 and a year later Lever and Percy left to pursue careers as producers - working with S Club 7 and Robbie Williams. By 1982, Dead Or Alive consisted of just Burns and Coy and scored several major hits in Japan, whilst in the 1990s they briefly renamed as International Chrysis only to return to their original name and they continue to record and tour.

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