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| Birth Name(s) : Terry Coldwell, John Hendy, Brian Harvey, Tony Mortimer |
Date of Birth: 1998 |
| Status:
Single
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Partner:
N/A |
| Profession:
Musician |
Official Site
Go to the East 17 Official Homepage |
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Full East 17 Biography
| East 17 wouldn't have been the same without the four cheeky Walthamstow chappies that made up the group. Each one of them bought a different element to the band and contributed to the sound of all their singles and albums in their own unique way. |
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Additional East 17 Biography
The band began in 1992 when Tony Mortimer was promised a record deal after he showcased his own material. The deal was granted under the condition that he form a group, which was the format London Records were looking for. The original roles in the band were soon altered when Brian Harvey, who was intended to be a backup singer and dancer, was heard singing along during a recording session. He was duly promoted to lead vocalist. The group's other members are Terence Coldwell and Jonathan Hendy.
Mortimer wrote the vast majority of the group's songs, which often contained rap verses vocalized by him to complement Harvey's more fluid R&B style vocals. The group was usually seen as a grittier, more political and hip-hop or rap-aligned band to rival boy Take That and much less so 5ive, since 5ive frequently included hip hop verses in almost all of their songs
In 1994, upon the release of their second album, Steam, they scored their only UK number one single, the 1994 Christmas chart topper "Stay Another Day," which remained at the top for five weeks. In 1996, they hit number 2 in a duet with Gabrielle called "If You Ever."
They also appeared on the Childliners record The Gift Of Christmas alongside acts such as MN8, Boyzone, E.Y.C., Sean Maguire, Deuce, Ultimate Kaos, Let Loose, Backstreet Boys, Peter Andre, Michelle Gayle, Dannii Minogue and many more.
Following the somewhat low-key release of the album Up All Night, their drop in appeal in comparison to previous albums was attributed to the fact that Mortimer stepped down as the only songwriter. The album's songwriting duties were split among the four members of East 17, although all of the singles released from the album were penned by Mortimer.
In 1997, Harvey was engulfed in a drug controversy when he claimed he took 12 Ecstasy pills in one night, saying, "It's cool to take drugs". He also claimed that Ecstasy "can make you a better person'. The act went against the group's "boy band" image, and there was a huge media uproar, with questions being asked in the House of Commons. The group's career and reputation was tarnished. Harvey was sacked, and Mortimer later decided to leave as well.
Harvey, Coldwell and Hendy all attempted a comeback in 1998 under the name of E-17, and got off to a good start with "Each Time," which reached number 2 in the UK. But without Mortimer's songwriting influence, the band struggled, and after rather disappointing sales of the next single, "Betcha Can't Wait", and album, Resurrection, the band eventually decided to disband in 1999.
After launching himself as a solo artist with help from Wyclef Jean, Harvey went back to East 17 to play numerous gigs on the nostalgia circuit with Coldwell and Hendy. On the ITV1 docusoap Redcoats, East 17 was shown performing at a gig that was held at Butlins in Bognor on a programme that also featured Keith Harris.
Mortimer attempted to create two bands, but each time opted to return to production work for other artists from his Essex studio. He also recorded his own solo material, which was released in January 2006 on his official website
After reforming for the one-off gig it was reported that East 17 had split up again, since John was unable to fully commit to the band because his roofing business took a lot of his time. Friction also flared up again between Harvey and Mortimer, resulting in Mortimer's departing and the rest of the boys performing as a three-piece at various club events.
Performing as a three-member group without Mortimer, E17 played at Strathclyde University in Scotland on 24 September 2006, after D.J Colin Murray was unable to attend.
East 17 appeared in Sibiu, Romania, on New Year's Eve and at the Landmarc in Bournemouth on 22 February 2007 (www.thelandmarc.com). The group also appeared at the University of Essex on Valentine's day as the main act ( www.essexstudent.com) and at the Creation in Brighton on 21 February.
On 4 May 2007, East 17 played at The University of Chichester's summer Ball as the headline act, as a three-member group without Mortimer.
East 17 played the Summer Ball at the College of St. Mark & St. John (Marjons) in Plymouth, Devon, on 12 May 2007. They were supported by the DJ Pat Sharp, and the sounds of the Boogie Knights disco band.
East 17 also played at the Oceana Nightclub in Birmingham, playing a selection of new songs as well as their more familiar songs such as 'Alright' and 'Stay Another Day'.
On 29 May 2007, Channel 4 showed a documentary called East 17:The Reunion, whilst The Independent newspaper reports that the trio of Harvey, Coldwell and Hendy are currently working on new material for a forthcoming album project. The documentary played up the tensions within the band.
New Tour Dates Announced. East 17 will be touring with 911. The tour is called Stay Another Day 2007.
10th October 2007 St. Davids Hall - Cardiff 19th October 2007 Ipswich Regent - Ipswitch 22nd October 2007 Manchester Opera House * 23rd October 2007 Waterfront - Belfast * 24th October 2007 Empire - Liverpool * 30th October 2007 City Hall - Newcastle * 6th November 2007 Fairfields Hall - Croydon
- Tickets available through Ticketmaster in the UK. The other dates can be brought direct from the venues. |
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East 17 Quote(s)
| Do not get involved in materialism, for an ism is a boundary and boundaries are limits and limits can not be attached 2 spirits, 4 spirits are free. |
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