Go West

It was 1982 when Peter Cox and Richard Drummie first pulled their artistic talents together to form ‘Go West’. With only a publishing deal and a porta-studio, but lacking a band or record company, Peter and Richard decided, with the help of their manager, John Glover, to find a producer, go into the studio and record two of their songs for themselves. These songs were ‘We Close Our Eyes’ and ‘Call Me’. With in a matter of days John Glover was negotiating with Chrysalis Records and ‘Go West’ signed their first Record Deal.

Their debut single ‘We Close Our Eyes’ was released in 1985 and reached number four in the UK charts, and became a Top Ten Hit in the USA. The success of ‘We Close Our Eyes’ was followed by three other Top Ten Hits; ‘Call Me’, ‘Goodbye Girl’ and ‘Don’t Look Down’.

Their debut self-titled album, ‘Go West’ sold 1.5 million copies worldwide and established the pair not just as a chart force but as one of the great singer-songwriter duos to emerge in the 80’s. They became the focus of media attention, gracing magazine covers and making numerous TV appearances. In 1986 they won a BRIT Award for ‘Best British Newcomer’.

Their second album ‘Dancing On The Couch’ was released in 1987. The singles ‘True Colours’, ‘I Want To Hear It From You’ and ‘The King Is Dead’ were all Top Thirty Hits, and although it did not match the success of their debut LP sales, it once again established them as extraordinary songwriters and has become something of a cult ‘collectors item’.

In 1992 their third album ‘Indian Summer’ was a more mellow, justifying more than ever their early description by legendary producer Arif Mardin as ‘Modern Motown’. This album contained their single ‘The King Of Wishful Thinking’, the opening song in the hugely successful film ‘Pretty Woman’. The soundtrack album from this film has sold over ten million copies worldwide. ‘The King of Wishful Thinking’ received as ASCAP Award in 1991 and 1992 for one of the most played songs on American Radio and ‘Faithful’ the second single from this album received similar BMI Awards in 1992 and 1993.

‘Aces & Kings’, the album released in 1993, was a collection of their Greatest Hits and the single ‘Tracks of My Tears’, a re-working of Smokey Robinson’s classic, was released from this album and entered the Top 20 singles chart.

In 1994 Peter Cox made the move to Los Angeles where he decided to base himself. That year he recorded his self–titled solo album with EMI Records. He released two singles, ‘Ain’t Gonna Cry Again’, which reached the Top Thirty in the UK, and ‘If You Walk Away’. Peter has continued to live in the States writing for specific projects and other artists.

In April 2001 Go West released an album ‘The Best of Go West – Live At The NEC’, a concert recorded during their last live tour together in 1993. This contained all their Greatest Hits performed live in front of a sell-out crowd in Birmingham. The album also included two brand new tracks ‘All Day, All Night’ and ‘Hangin On For Dear Life’, which were their first studio recordings together in seven years.

Over the past 18 months Go West have performed a number of live shows around the UK including two Arena tours, the first and second sell-out ‘Here & Now’ Tours. After a fantastically well received first tour they were the automatic first choice to step on the second tour.

Peter & Richard are continuing to work together as Go West, as well as working separately as writer / producers for other established and upcoming artists