Phil Fearon

b. 30 July 1956, Jamaica, West Indies. This multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer moved to Britain in 1962. After running a reggae sound system he joined Hott Wax, (who evolved into Brit Funk pioneers Hi-Tension after he left) and in the late 70s was a mainstay of hit group Kandidate. He set up a studio in his north London house and initially recorded with the group Proton on Champagne. Fearon’s first recording as Galaxy (with assistance from singers Julie and Dorothy) was ‘Head Over Heels’ on Ensign in 1982, which became a club hit. The first success came with the Top 5 hit ‘Dancing Tight’ in 1983 and over the next 15 months they chalked up a further four UK Top 40 singles including Top 10s ‘What Do I Do’ and ‘Everybody’s Laughing’. Their radio-friendly pop/soul debut album Phil Fearon & Galaxy also made the Top 10 in 1984. After a quiet period Fearon returned to the Top 10 for the last time with a revival of Tony Etoria’s ‘I Can Prove It’ in 1986 (also a small US R&B hit). He continued to run a production company from his home making commercial dance records.