Ultravox bassist Chris Cross, who co-wrote the U.K. new wave group’s 1981 smash “Vienna,” has died. He was 71.
The English bassist, born Christopher Allen, was a founding member of Tiger Lily, the group that grew to become Ultravox in the late 1970s, and took its cues from the electronics-curious article-punk and artwork-rock of the period. The group signed to Island Records and recorded its experimental-minded debut with Brian Eno, but found preferred achievements with “Vienna,” a drum-machine and synth-pushed ballad that strike No. 2 on the U.K. pop charts.
The song’s moody tunes video — encouraged by the spy thriller “The Third Man” — aided make it 1 of the defining tracks of an rising synth-pushed movement in pop. In 1985, the band executed a unforgettable established at Dwell Help, the enormous multi-venue famine relief event co-arranged by Ultravox singer Midge Ure.
The group produced a number of more thriving albums in the mid-1980s, showcasing hits like “Dancing With Tears in My Eyes,” “Reap the Wild Wind” and “All Stood Continue to,” just before heading inactive in 1987. Ultravox reunited with its main lineup in 2008 and launched a new album, “Brilliant,” in 2012.
“We labored with each other, we performed collectively, created tunes and directed video clips with each other,” Ure wrote on Fb immediately after Cross’ death. “We were being instantaneous friends as very well as Ultravox comrades. Even immediately after yrs aside we managed to select up in which we remaining off like the a long time in amongst under no circumstances existed. You had been the glue that held the band with each other. You have been the logic in the insanity and the insanity in our life. It was fantastic to know and grow with you. You are liked and missed old buddy.”
Keyboardist Billy Currie also wrote on his Facebook web site that he was “Very sad to listen to about Chris… We had some awesome times alongside one another. Laughing mainly.”
