Ultravox musician Chris Cross dies aged 71
Ultravox musician Chris Cross dies aged 71
(Photo by Brian Griffin) Ultravox member Chris Cross, whose real name is Chris Allen, died on March 25 aged 71. The news was announced last night by former bandmate Midge Ure who described bass player Chris as “the glue that held the band together”.
Midge Ure: “We worked together, we played together, made music and directed videos together. We were instant friends as well as Ultravox comrades. Even after years apart we managed to pick up where we left off like the years in between never existed. You were the glue that held the band together. You were the logic in the madness and the madness in our lives. It was great to know and grow with you. You are loved and missed old friend.”
About Chris Cross
Chris, born on July 14, 1952, in London, established Tiger Lily in 1974, a band that would evolve into the iconic 80s group Ultravox. Alongside him were Dennis Leigh as the frontman and Stevie Shears on guitar, with Warren Cann on drums and William Currie, known as Billy Currie, joining later.
Between 1974 and 1979, John Foxx led Ultravox as its lead singer and primary creative force. In March 1979, Foxx departed to pursue a solo career, and Midge Ure took over as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and frontman from November 1, 1979. Ure, who had been collaborating with the band since April that year after working with Billy Currie on the Visage studio project, rejuvenated Ultravox, guiding them to their commercial peak with the “Vienna” album and sustaining success until their disbandment in 1987.
In 1992, a reformed Ultravox under Currie’s leadership saw limited success, with two albums not charting and only one single barely making it to number 90 in the UK charts. The band’s most celebrated lineup — Currie, Ure, bassist Chris Cross, and drummer Warren Cann — reunited in 2008, leading to live performances in 2009 and 2010, culminating in the release of a new studio album, “Brill!ant,” in May 2012.
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