Shelley Preston

Shelley Preston

Shelley Preston on stage in 1985
Background information
Born (1964-05-14) 14 May 1964
Hillingdon, England
Genres Pop, rock
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, model
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1985–present
Website shelleypreston.co.uk

Shelley Preston (born 14 May 1964) is a singer who is most famous for being a member of the pop group Bucks Fizz, when she replaced Jay Aston in June 1985. Her biggest hit as a member of the band was the 1986 track New Beginning, which reached the UK top ten. She left the group in 1990. From 2004–2009, she was a member of the group The Original Bucks Fizz, along with former Bucks Fizz members Cheryl Baker and Mike Nolan.

Career

Preston was born in Hillingdon, England. 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.[1]

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.[2]

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 Preston's solo vocals. Its intended single release in 1987 was cancelled however. 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, Donny Osmond, Blue, Westlife, Alison Moyet, Tom Jones, David Hasselhoff, Errol Brown and Belinda Carlisle (she still occasionally performs with Carlisle). During the 1990s she worked as a model, appearing in a number of commercials.[1] Preston was also the voice of Radio One as featured vocalist on their idents for two years.

In 2001 she was invited to join the "chillout lounge" band Cloudfish, which includes her longtime boyfriend and Spandau Ballet saxophonist, Steve Norman. Together they write and produce their own material and released a mini album in July 2006. They performed a sold-out gig at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho, London, and have played at Pacha in Ibiza. Cloudfish still continue today and are currently writing new material and actively touring.[3]

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.[4] As a three-piece they performed at various festivals and nightclubs. In June 2008, they performed at the last G-A-Y night alongside McFly and The Feeling. In August 2008, Preston with Baker, Nolan and Aston took part in a makeover show for Living TV, which was aired in March 2009 and performed with Björn Again at the Hammersmith Apollo on 18 December 2008.

In April 2009, Preston announced that she was leaving The Original Bucks Fizz. Preston continues to perform and write for the Cloudfish music project.

Shelley has announced her first solo concert since leaving The Original Bucks Fizz scheduled for 2 November 2013 at The Colour House Theatre, London.

Personal life

Shelley Preston has a son, Benjamin William Beers (born 1998, Hounslow, Greater London), from her short relationship with Garry Gary Beers of INXS in 1997.[5] Shelley now lives with her son in Hampshire.[5]

Discography

With Bucks Fizz:

Singles

Albums

References

  1. 1 2 "Official | Facebook". Shelley Preston. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Rafaels and Stefans pictures". Raffem.com. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Featured Content on Myspace". Profile.myspace.com. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "The Original BUCKS FIZZ". Archived from the original on 2 December 2008.
  5. 1 2 "Official | Facebook". Shelley Preston. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
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