The Human League

The Human League Artistfacts

  • 1977-
    PhilOakeyVocals, synth
    Martyn WareSynth
    Ian MarshSynth
    Adrian WrightVisuals
    Ian BurdenBass
    Joanne CatherallVocals
    Susanne SulleyVocals
  • The name of the band was taken from a sci-fi board game called Star Force. One empire was called The Human League. The group was formerly called The Future.
  • The group split up after releasing their first two albums. Wright and Oakley formed the new Human League with a bass player and two school girls as additional vocalists. Ware and Marsh left to form the British Electronic Foundation which later became known as Heaven 17.
  • They've built protecting cages around themselves and their synthesizers after some bad experiences during live shows ("fans" throwing beer cans, etc.). >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Thomas - Wurzburg, Germany, for all above
  • Phil Oakey first approached Joanne Catherall and Susanne Sulley to join Human League in 1980 when he spotted them dancing together on the dance floor. Neither had any experience of singing or dancing professionally. Sulley recalled to Q magazine in 2016:

    "He came over, he was very serious and said, 'I don't know if you know but I'm Philip Oakey from the Human League. Our group has just split up but we're contracted to do a tour of Europe in three weeks and we're looking for a female singer. I saw you and your friend together and wondered if you wanted to audition."
  • Oakey was working as a hospital porter at the time he was approached to be Human League's vocalist. He recalled to Q Magazine: "I was a hospital porter out of absolute desperation. I'd worked at a book shop for two years where their wages were £9.50 a week; at least with portering I was earning £50 a week. That was the only reason I did it, I was finished otherwise."

Comments: 1

  • Minna from Joplin, MoTheir last and biggest hit HUMAN was produced by hit makers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, former members of The Time
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