Cock Robin (band)
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Cock Robin is a U.S. pop-rock band, mostly popular in the 1980s, particularly in Europe where they were to become famous. The band was founded by singer-songwriter Peter Kingsbery in 1982, split up in 1990, and was reformed in 2006.
History
Named after a 17th century story titled "The Marriage of Cock Robin and Jenny Wren", the band formed in California and was signed to CBS Records Inc. Cock Robin's first, self-titled album was produced by Steve Hillage and, although largely ignored in their native country, as with the majority of their output, was an overnight success in Europe, especially in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands, where the singles "When Your Heart Is Weak", "The Promise You Made" and "I Thought You Were On My Side" became big hits, and the album itself a chart-topper.
In 1987, the band, reduced from the original quartet to the duo of Peter Kingsbery and Anna LaCazio, released their second album, "After Here Through Midland", produced by Don Gehman, who had previously worked with John Mellencamp, among others. As with their debut, Cock Robin's second album attracted much attention in continental Europe where the LP entered the Top 5 and scored hits with the singles "Just Around The Corner", "The Biggest Fool of All", and "El Norte".
Two years later, in 1989, the band released their third, and, to many critics, most successful album, "First Love/Last Rites", with Roxy Music veteran Rhett Davies in the role of producer. As with their previous releases, the LP fared well in mainland Europe, but, due to poor management and promotion, failed to make an impact State-side. The duo would go their separate ways shortly following the release of the album, with Peter Kingsbery releasing a string of solo projects in France.
In 2006, Cock Robin reformed, releasing their fourth album, "I Don't Want to Save the World", and performing a number of sold-out shows in Europe.
It remains somewhat of a mystery why Cock Robin was never afforded the same success in English-speaking countries, notably their native USA, that they were in Europe.
Band members
Core members
- Peter Kingsbery: lead vocals, keyboards, bass, guitar
- Anna LaCazio: lead vocals, keyboards
Other members
- Clive Wright: guitars
- Louis Molino: drums, percussions, backing vocals
- Pat Mastelotto: drums, percussions
- Tris Imboden: drums
- Corky James: guitars
- John Pierce: bass
- Lise Dickerson: keyboards, backing vocals
Discography
Studio albums
- Cock Robin (1985)
- After Here Through Midland (1987)
- First Love Last Rites (1989)
- I Don't Want To Save The World (2006)
Hit singles
- "When Your Heart is Weak"
- FRA: 9 – 1985
- GER: 8 – 1985
- ITA: 26 – 1985
- NL: 39 – 1986
- U.S.: 35 – 1985
- "The Promise You Made"
- FRA: 4 – 1986
- GER: 6 – 1986
- ITA: 18 – 1986
- NL: 1 – 1986 (for 2 weeks)
- SWI: 7 – 1986
- UK: 28 – 1986
- "Thought You Were on My Side"
- FRA: 39 – 1986
- GER: 21 – 1986
- NL: 5 – 1986
- "Just Around the Corner"
- AT: 28 – 1987
- FRA: 18 – 1987
- GER: 16 – 1987
- ITA: 17 – 1987
- NL: 19 – 1986
- SWE: 12 – 1987
- SWI: 6 – 1987
- "The Biggest Fool of All"
- FRA: 47 – 1987
- GER: 50 – 1987
- "Worlds Apart"
- FRA: 22 – 1989
- Straighter Line"
- FRA: 28 – 1990
Live recordings
- Live au Grand Rex (1990) (video recording)
Compilations
- Collection Gold (1990)
- The Best of Cock Robin (1991)
- Best Ballads (2000)
- Simply the Best (2001)