Shelley Preston

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Shelley Preston


Img_capt = Shelley Preston on stage in 1985
Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1964|5|14
London
England
Died =
Origin =
Instrument = Vocals
Genre = pop,rock,and electronic funky lounge music
Occupation = Singer, songwriter, model
Years_active = 1985–present
Label(s) =
Influences =
URL = http://www.shelleypreston.co.uk/

Shelley Preston (born May 14, 1964 in Hillingdon, London, England), is a singer who is most famous for being the new girl when she joined pop group Bucks Fizz in June 1985.

Career

She started singing in her local Sunday School choir from 4 years of age. While she was still at school, she sang with the Bournemouth Operatic Society. She worked as a singer at a hotel nightclub in Sri Lanka for six months before being selected at a London audition to be the new member of Bucks Fizz. [ [http://www.shelleypreston.co.uk Biography on shelleypreston.co.uk] ]

Shelley was introduced as the new member of Bucks Fizz to millions of viewers on the BBC TV prime-time chat show Wogan, hosted by Terry Wogan. [ [http://www.raffem.com/BucksFizz85till2003.htm#1985 raffem.com - Early pictures of Preston with the group] ] She performed with the band from 1985 to 1990.

By the time Preston had joined the group, Bucks Fizz's last few singles had not charted so well. However due to the huge amount of publicity and media frenzy surrounding the 'new girl' Bucks Fizz were back in the charts and selling out tours. "New Beginning (Mamba Seyra)" reached number 8 in the UK Charts in the Summer of 1986. The single preceded the album Writing On The Wall, released later that year. This included an early version of Love in a World Gone Mad, which was later re-recorded featuring Shelley's vocals on solo. Its intended single release in 1987 was unforunately postponed. Arguably superior to the original this version finally appeared on the re-issued Writing on the Wall album in 2004.

After leaving Bucks Fizz in 1990, Preston made a career as a backing vocalist, touring and appearing with Jason Donovan, INXS, Brian May, Michael Bolton, Go West, Beverley Craven, Alexander O’Neal, Luther Vandross, Roger Daltry, Donny Osmond, Blue, Westlife, Alison Moyet, Tom Jones, Guns 'N' Roses, Errol Brown and Belinda Carlisle (she still occasionaly performs with Carlisle). During the 1990s she worked as a model, appearing in a number of commercials. [ [http://www.shelleypreston.co.uk Official website] ] Preston was also the voice of Radio One as featured vocalist on their idents for two years.

In 2003 she was invited to join the "chillout lounge" band "Cloudfish", which includes her longterm boyfriend and Spandau Ballet saxophonist, Steve Norman. Together they write and produce their own material and released a mini album in July 2006. They have done their own version of spandau ballets 'true' which Garry kemp loved when he saw them perform at their sold out gig at the legendery Ronnie Scots in Soho London.They have also played at Pacha in Ibiza. Cloudfish still continue today and are currently writing new material and actively touring. [ [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=116686656 myspace.com - Cloudfish] ]

In 2004, Preston reunited with Bucks Fizz bandmates Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Bobby G for the Christmas Here & Now arena tour. Following this, Baker, Nolan and Preston decided to continue as The Original Bucks Fizz. [ [http://www.myspace.com/originalbucksfizz The Original Bucks Fizz myspace] ] Under the name "The Original Bucks Fizz", perform at various festivals and nightclubs. In June 2008, they performed at the last G-A-Y night alongside McFly and The Feeling.The original bucks fizz took part in a makeover show for Living TV, due to be aired in January 2009 and will be performing with Bjorn Again at the Hammersmith Apollo on 18 December 2008.

Private Life

Shelley Preston has a ten year old son Benjamin Preston-Beers from her short relationship with Garry Gary Beers of INXS in 1997. Shelley now lives with her son in South West London. [http://www.shelleypreston.co.uk/]

Discography

With Bucks Fizz:

Singles

*September 1985 Magical
*June 1986 New Beginning (Mamba Seyra)
*August 1986 Love the One You're With
*November 1986 Keep Each Other Warm
*October 1988 Heart of Stone
*May 1989 You Love Love

Albums

*November 1986 Writing On The Wall
*November 1988 The Story So Far

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/originalbucksfizz The Original Bucks Fizz myspace site]
* [http://www.shelleypreston.co.uk/ Shelley Preston Official Site ]
* [http://stevenormanmusic1.homestead.com/Cloudfish.html Cloudfish page at the Steve Norman Website]
* [http://www.bucksfizzearlyyears.co.uk/ Bucks Fizz The Early Years]