User:Clivioli

Beau Leisure were a superb, underachieving synthpop band from South Manchester. Formed circa 1981 by Clive Farrington and Dave Powell, from the ashes of Glass (Clive) and The Naughty Boys (Dave) they went through a few drummers and synth players before the definitive line-up of:- Dave Powell - Lead vocals/guitar. Clive Farrington - Bass/vocals. Kris Saint - Keyboards. Tony Johnson - Drums.

Dave Powell was an excellent songwriter, and his collaborations with Clive Farrington ensured that Beau Leisure had a tome of true synth pop gems. Good looking guys, quality musicians, with excellent stage shows and a hard core following, the band seemed destined for bigger things. They were 'endorsed' by Piccadilly radio and post a successful and request repeated radio 1 session for Peter Powell they were courted by the London majors, however, after the release of their first and only single 'American Beat / Take The Exit', in 1983, the band sadly imploded after disagreements over direction.

Post split, Dave Powell re-recorded American Beat for EMI, in a more dance oriented style, but for whatever reason this was never generally released.

The band regrouped almost immediately - without Dave Powell - and recorded more demo's as 'Leisure' (dropping the 'Beau') but despite the vocal prowess of Corinne Drewery - who went on to success with Swing Out Sister - the new direction never took off and the band finally called it a day.

Clive Farrington then formed 'When In Rome' - featuring former Beau Leisure roadie Andy Mann on vocals - who went on to have some success in the UK charts and even more success in the USA, with their 80's anthem 'The Promise', which reached number 1 in the Billboard dance charts, and can still be heard today on the soundtrack of any new American 80's cap doffing teen movie! When In Rome are now totally USA based and are still going to this day, but without Clive - who last heard of was producing and DJ'ing around the London area.

Kris Saint, (aka Chris Sant) disappeared into the ether after the final Leisure split, as did Tony Johnson. Both great musicians though, so MUST have done something else (!)

Post the split of the original band - and the subsequent solo re recording of 'American Beat', Dave Powell had a spell in a Hulme based band - 'The Fuse' and did some session work and club work whilst seeking out a new project ....

The great Crumar/Korg driven songs still exist in demo form, and this site has been set up to let others hear the work of a band that really could, and yeah, SHOULD have hit the big time.