Wreckless Eric
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Wreckless Eric (born Eric Goulden on May 18, 1954 in Newhaven, East Sussex, England) is a rock and roll singer/songwriter. He is best known as one of the original members of the Stiff Records artist roster, along with Ian Dury, Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe, and his biggest (non) hit record was "Whole Wide World". This, his debut single, was produced by, and featured bass (and most of the other instruments) by Nick Lowe, with Ian Dury on drums. On his website he lists some eighteen disparate acts that have covered it.
His debut album Wreckless Eric was a Top 50 hit in the UK album chart. But, by the time his second album The Wonderful World of Wreckless Eric came out, he was already being overshadowed by his labelmates Costello and Dury. It was during this time that his shows became known for his increasingly drunken antics. He attempted a more Pop Music style on the (either dryly or optimistically) titled Big Smash album, his last with Stiff Records. Ironically Cliff Richard's cover of "Broken Doll" from Big Smash was the highest one of his songs ever charted.
In 1985 he signed to New Rose Records as Eric Goulden, and released A Roomful of Monkeys with various members of the Blockheads. It was quickly followed by an eponymous LP by The Len Bright Combo. Unfortunately these records were no more successful than his previous releases, and the same on-stage problems continued until he seemingly self-destructed and moved to France, where he "pursued a career as a full time alcoholic" ([according to his own bio]).
After several years in France, Eric straightened up and founded Le Beat Group Electrique with bassist André Barreau and drummer Catfish Truton, and released Le Beat Group Electrique, At the Shop and The Donovan of Trash.
Eric returned to the UK in 1998 and has written his autobiography, A Dysfunctional Success - The Wreckless Eric Manual, plus recorded and released the album Bungalow Hi.
The Monkees covered his song The Whole Wide World on their Pool It! album in 1987.
A tribute album to Wreckless Eric is currently being recorded, featuring cover versions of his songs performed by upcoming bands like The Crimea, The Wedding Present, among others.
Discography
''As Wreckless Eric- Wreckless Eric (1978) [album]
Dave Lutton: Drums
Dave Otway:Drums
Barry Payne: Bass, Guitar (Bass)
Davey Payne: Saxophone, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor)
Larry Wallis: Guitar, Producer David Witton: Drums
Charlie Hart: Organ, Piano, Keyboards, Accordion
Ian Dury: Producer
Wreckless Eric: Guitar, Main Performer, Vocals, Drums
Steve Currie: Bass, Guitar (Bass)
Glyn Johns: Producer
Barry Farmer: Saxophone, Sax (Tenor)
Steve Goulding: Drums
Nick Lowe: Bass, Guitar, Producer
- The Wonderful World of Wreckless Eric (1978) [album]
- The Whole Wide World (1979) [album]
- Big Smash (1980) [album]
- Yuletide Forty-Five (1990) [single]
- Sweet Jane (2002) [single]
- Almost a Jubilee: 25 Years at the BBC (with Gaps) (2003) [album]
- Bungalow Hi (2004) [album]
- Roomful of Monkeys (1984) [album]
- The Len Bright Combo Presents... (1985) [album]
- Combo Time (1986) [album]
''With Le Beat Group Electrique
- Le Beat Group Electrique (1989) [album]
- At the Shop (1990) [album]
- The Donovan of Trash (1991) [album]
- 12 o'Clock Stereo (1996) [album]
- The Girl with The Wandering Eye (1996) [single]
- Karaoke (1997) [album]
- Bunch of Stiffs (1977) [album]
- Live Siffs Live (1978) [album]
- Heroes & Cowards (1978) [album]
- Can't Start Dancing (1978) [album]
- The Last Compilation Album (1980) [album]
- The Stiff Records Box Set (1991) [album]
- DiY 3: Teenage Kicks - UK Pop I (1976-79) (1993) [album]
Bibliography
- "Wreckless Eric" Goulden: A Dysfunctional Success - The Wreckless Eric Manual Do Not Press (2004), ISBN 1-904316-18-2 [Book Homepage]
External links
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