Looking Backwards Towards The Future: The Story of Ultravox

Richard Evans is the author of 'Listening to the Music the Machines Make: Inventing Electronic Pop 1978-1983'. He's worked in the music industry for over thirty years in a variety of roles, set up marketing consultancy The Fan Base in the 90, founded the This Is Not Retro website and record label and has worked for Andy Bell, Vince Clarke and Erasure since 2009.
His latest book, 'Looking Backwards Towards the Future: The Story of Ultravox', is the first authorised biography of post-punk mavericks turned commercial superstars, Ultravox. Written with the knowledge, permission and cooperation of the band's surviving core members, it offers the definitive account of one of Britain's most eccentric, unusual and uncompromising groups. Drawing from a vast archive of research materials, and incorporating exclusive input from the band, as well as from their peers, their label and management teams, and those closest to them, Looking Backwards Towards the Future promises to tell the many and varied stories of the band: from fractures and fallouts to ambition and ego. From their experimental, art-school beginnings as post-punk outsiders, to their rebirth as chart-conquering heroes, Ultravox always remained unique, idiosyncratic and intractable. Consistently derided by the media throughout their career, they were unwavering in their pursuit of an eccentric trajectory of their own design, achieving enviable success, and millions of records sold, but always on their own terms.

Formed by John Foxx as an art school project in 1974, and forever a step outside contemporary trends and expectations, Ultravox made three albums, including the highly influential Systems Of Romance, before Foxx departed in 1979. Ultravox then recruited a new singer, Midge Ure, with whom they enjoyed 16 UK hit singles - including ‘Vienna’, ‘Dancing With Tears In My Eyes’ and ‘Love’s Great Adventure’ - and seven hit albums between 1980 and 1986. Ultravox unexpectedly reunited in 2008 for a triumphant reunion tour and one final album. They are unlikely to be at this author talk, but Richard will be happy to answer your questions!