The Passions

Formed in Shepherd’s Bush, London, England in 1978, The Passions was a post-punk and new wave band best known for their 1981 hit single “I’m in Love with a German Film Star.” The group was founded by guitarist/vocalist Barbara Gogan and drummer Richard Williams – both former members of punk band The Derelicts – and bassist Claire Bidwell. Other original members included vocalist Mitch Barker and guitarist Dack Dyde. Originally calling themselves Rivers of Passion, they shortened their name to The Passions and released the independent single “Needles and Pills” (1979). The single didn’t chart but did gain the attention of DJ John Peel and Fiction Records, who signed the band. Vocalist Mitch Barker left the group and Gogan took over as lead vocalist by the time the group recorded their first Peel session in late 1979. The Passions released the single “Hunted” and their debut album, Michael & Miranda, in 1980. After touring with labelmates The Cure, Claire Bidwell left the group, and the band was eventually dropped by Fiction Records. The Passions quickly rebounded and signed with Polydor Records and issued the single “The Swimmer.” Their fourth single, “I’m In Love with a German Film Star,” was released in January 1981 and became a hit in Europe, reaching the Top 30 in the UK and Ireland. The Passions promoted the single on radio and TV, making two appearances on Top of the Pops. The group released their second album, Thirty Thousand Feet Over China (1981), and reached Number 92 on the UK Albums chart. However, the group were unable to keep up the commercial momentum and didn’t achieve significant success with subsequent singles or their third album, Sanctuary (1982), and they split up in 1983. The group’s music continued to live on with compilations and reissues while their sole hit, “I’m in Love with a German Film Star,” was later covered by Foo Fighters, Chris Whitley, Sam Taylor- Wood and Dubstar.

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