TONY SWAIN

b. 20 January 1952, London, England. Record producer, musician and songwriter Swain started his career as a television cameraman, where he met Steve Jolley in 1975. They worked together on The Muppet Show until Swain left to work in a recording studio as a writer/producer. In 1981, and reunited with Jolley, they built a reputation when their song ‘Body Talk’ became a major hit for Imagination. The formula continued through a run of eight further hit singles, including ‘Just An Illusion’ which narrowly missed the UK number 1 spot. In addition to four albums with Imagination, their high standing in the music business gave them an impressive list of productions with major success with Bananarama, Spandau Ballet and Alison Moyet, including the multi-million selling number 1 albums True, Parade (Spandau Ballet) and Alf (Moyet). Swain co-wrote all the tracks bar one on the last, and played keyboards on this classic pop album including the major hit ‘Love Resurrection’. Swain with Jolley were nominated for a BPI award following its success. They went on to work with the Truth, Diana Ross, Tom Robinson, Errol Brown, Wang Chung and Louise Goffin. Following their mutual break Swain went on to produce Kim Wilde’s Close which became another million-seller. Towards the end of a highly lucrative decade, Swain saw the completion of his own ‘state of the art’ recording studio at his home in Hertfordshire. He was a major contributor to quality UK pop music throughout the 80s.