Latest news with #TenCrowns
Metro
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Erasure's Andy Bell on kissing Boy George on stage
'I just said to him really quickly, kiss me, and he did!' Andy Bell, best known as an iconic figure of the LGBTQ+ scene in the 80s and one-half of Erasure, has just released his latest solo album Ten Crowns and is set to perform at Brighton Pride in August. At 61 years old, the artist has been in the music industry for decades and carved an important path as one of the few openly gay music artists in the industry in the 80s. In a powerful moment during the Brit Awards in February 1989, Andy was presented with an award on stage by Boy George and took this opportunity to kiss him on the lips. 'It was funny because I'm not sure how much kissing I'd seen – I love doing it, I love being out, and I love kissing on people and with my partner and stuff – But yeah, because we weren't really exposed to it very much. 'I just remember, when George came on the stage, I was really pleased that it was him. Just as he passed me the award, I just said to him really quickly, 'kiss me', and he did, and it just happened like that. 'So it was, I think, probably one of the only moments ever where I've done something on purpose,' he said. He explained that the interaction wasn't a pre-discussed or planned moment, but something he thought would be a bold move in the moment. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! 'Because we never ever planned press stunts or anything like that at all.' He said, adding: 'It was a kind of blink and you miss it moment.' The smooch took place the same year that the first on-screen kiss aired to the British public in an episode of EastEnders between characters Colin Russell and his partner Barry Clark. As one of the few openly gay pop stars in the 80s, Andy once told The Guardian that he felt the need to be 'outrageous' at the time, which meant outrageous outfits and outrageous comments, which he said was a 'defence mechanism'. 'I just started developing this character, you know, out of necessity, really, to this larger than life person, just to deal with hecklers and stuff like that. 'I learned most of my stuff from drag queens, you know, from going and seeing drag queens in the pubs and so, yeah, this character is built over the years.' He said that he made his character a 'screamer' and it meant he didn't have to announce his sexuality in every interview. 'In the beginning, especially playing in North America and places you kind of it gets boring saying you're gay all the time, all the time, you know, in an interview. 'So I just thought I'd, I'd make, I'd have this character on stage. It was like a screamer, just so there were no questions asked. 'I know that it's a bit of a cliche now when I look back, but I just didn't want there to be any compromises or anything. 'For me, it felt like, almost like it was a defence mechanism, but like a shield almost,' he said. Andy's new album features a track titled Heart's A Liar with Blondie star Debbie Harry. 'I just feel like that. I feel like I've not struck gold, but kind of been blessed by music royalty,' he said of working with the iconic singer. 'To me, that's better than anybody in the whole of the music industry. You know, she's the top dog, she really is.' He added that in the music industry, relationships are often transactional and somewhat fake, which wasn't the case with Debbie. 'I know they've had really tough times as well, Blondie. So has Erasure, people all have time in the wilderness, and I think just for someone to reach your hand and say, 'Oh, come on, you know, I'll help you.' That's basically what it is. 'You just don't get that either in the music industry. It's all these back-handed compliments and handshakes, and everything's for commercial gain. Nothing is sincere anymore.' Andy has worked alongside his Erasure other half, Vince Clarke, for decades, taking time to do his own solo work, but always coming together to create music as Erasure. 'When we meet, it's kind of like, it is like, like an ex-lover, and you're meeting up again,' he says, revealing that he's only managed to see him twice this year. 'You're kind of defining your roles, or coming back together, and because it's very raw when you're writing together – I mean, I feel almost sorry for people that have been couples like Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. You know how that must be really tough when you're a real couple. 'But just because we haven't slept with each other doesn't mean that you don't have intimate moments.' He explains that when they get back together, after a little initial awkwardness, they are back into the swing. 'Once you've established that trust, it's there forever,' he says. The singer is set to perform at Brighton Pride in August and emphasised that celebrating the LGBTQ+ community is just as important today as it has always been. More Trending 'As long as we're a target, as long as we're in a position where all of a sudden you're being scapegoated by whichever political party, then we're obviously not safe. 'Until everything is just as it should be, normalised and we're all treated the same and we're all treated fairly, we're still working towards something.' Andy Bell's album Ten Crowns is out now, and he is set to perform at Brighton Pride supported by Hayu, on August 3 . Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I attended the UK's biggest true crime convention — it wasn't what I expected MORE: 'I was the only out lesbian MP for 13 years – here's how Parliament has changed' MORE: I told my date my sexual preferences and was immediately ghosted
Leader Live
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Erasure's Andy Bell says Blondie's Debbie Harry helped him come out
Bell is best known for being half of the synth‑pop duo Erasure, the group behind the hit songs A Little Respect, Sometimes and Always. The singer, 61, now shares a song with Harry titled Heart's A Liar which features in his newly released studio album, Ten Crowns. Bell told PA news agency: 'She was my teenage idol. 'I was smitten. When I saw her on TV, she had the big hair with the light behind the hair, it was like a halo. 'And so I bought a packet of hair bleach and bleached my hair and then went to school proudly with my Blondie t-shirt. 'She kind of helped me come out before I was gay kind of thing so that just stuck with me. 'I was one of those kids that was in their bedroom listening to the music all day. 'I had the record player in my wardrobe to make it sound bigger.' The singer started his Ten Crowns tour in May 2025 with concerts scheduled across the UK throughout the summer along with performances in Ireland, Denmark and Germany. A post shared by Andy Bell (@officialandybell) Speaking about Harry and new track, Heart's A Liar, Bell added that the song took about a year to be finalised with Harry's vocals. He said: 'She's a great mentor and her songs are amazing. You know, the way she uses her voice. 'It took about a year for it to come back, but it came back on the same day we were in New York City doing Gay Pride festivals last year, and the vocals arrived on that day. And I just thought, that's such a Debbie thing, you know, where her timing is always divine. 'I never would have believed it when I was a teenager listening to her music. I would never would have believed that I would be on a song with her. The industry still has 'a way to go' in order for it to be more inclusive, says Bell. He added: 'I know everybody gets one chance. 'And you can have a huge hit and that's fine but the minute it starts to go askew you're dropped, like completely, it's almost like you're ignored. 'And that would be my advice to young gay people in the industry, is you have to have really thick skin. 'And also, don't believe the hype when you're a success, all the stuff that people are telling you, don't believe it, because it's too ingratiating, and too over the top praise, you need to keep your essence. 'I think people become more damaged, not that their fame is instant, but because you're either so huge, or you're nothing. 'I'm not saying it's an overnight thing, because they work really hard, but it's almost like I want to pre-warn them just in case.' Erasure, made up of Bell and the musician and songwriter Vince Clarke, won the Brit Award for Best British Group in 1989, and saw multiple number one albums including Wild!, Chorus and I Say I Say I Say.
South Wales Guardian
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Erasure's Andy Bell says Blondie's Debbie Harry helped him come out
Bell is best known for being half of the synth‑pop duo Erasure, the group behind the hit songs A Little Respect, Sometimes and Always. The singer, 61, now shares a song with Harry titled Heart's A Liar which features in his newly released studio album, Ten Crowns. Bell told PA news agency: 'She was my teenage idol. 'I was smitten. When I saw her on TV, she had the big hair with the light behind the hair, it was like a halo. 'And so I bought a packet of hair bleach and bleached my hair and then went to school proudly with my Blondie t-shirt. 'She kind of helped me come out before I was gay kind of thing so that just stuck with me. 'I was one of those kids that was in their bedroom listening to the music all day. 'I had the record player in my wardrobe to make it sound bigger.' The singer started his Ten Crowns tour in May 2025 with concerts scheduled across the UK throughout the summer along with performances in Ireland, Denmark and Germany. A post shared by Andy Bell (@officialandybell) Speaking about Harry and new track, Heart's A Liar, Bell added that the song took about a year to be finalised with Harry's vocals. He said: 'She's a great mentor and her songs are amazing. You know, the way she uses her voice. 'It took about a year for it to come back, but it came back on the same day we were in New York City doing Gay Pride festivals last year, and the vocals arrived on that day. And I just thought, that's such a Debbie thing, you know, where her timing is always divine. 'I never would have believed it when I was a teenager listening to her music. I would never would have believed that I would be on a song with her. The industry still has 'a way to go' in order for it to be more inclusive, says Bell. He added: 'I know everybody gets one chance. 'And you can have a huge hit and that's fine but the minute it starts to go askew you're dropped, like completely, it's almost like you're ignored. 'And that would be my advice to young gay people in the industry, is you have to have really thick skin. 'And also, don't believe the hype when you're a success, all the stuff that people are telling you, don't believe it, because it's too ingratiating, and too over the top praise, you need to keep your essence. 'I think people become more damaged, not that their fame is instant, but because you're either so huge, or you're nothing. 'I'm not saying it's an overnight thing, because they work really hard, but it's almost like I want to pre-warn them just in case.' Erasure, made up of Bell and the musician and songwriter Vince Clarke, won the Brit Award for Best British Group in 1989, and saw multiple number one albums including Wild!, Chorus and I Say I Say I Say.
RTÉ News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Erasure's Andy Bell says Blondie's Debbie Harry helped him come out
Erasure star Andy Bell has said Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry helped him come out as a teenager. Bell is best known for being half of the synth‑pop duo Erasure, the group behind the hit songs A Little Respect, Sometimes and Always. The singer, 61, has duetted with Harry on new song Heart's A Liar, which features in his newly released studio album, Ten Crowns. Bell told PA news agency: "She was my teenage idol. "I was smitten. When I saw her on TV, she had the big hair with the light behind the hair, it was like a halo. "And so, I bought a packet of hair bleach and bleached my hair and then went to school proudly with my Blondie t-shirt. "She kind of helped me come out before I was gay kind of thing so that just stuck with me. "I was one of those kids that was in their bedroom listening to the music all day. "I had the record player in my wardrobe to make it sound bigger." The singer has started his Ten Crowns tour, with concerts scheduled across the UK throughout the summer along with performances in Ireland, Denmark and Germany. Speaking about Harry and new track, Heart's A Liar, Bell added that the song took about a year to be finalised with Harry's vocals. He said: "She's a great mentor and her songs are amazing. You know, the way she uses her voice. "It took about a year for it to come back, but it came back on the same day we were in New York City doing Gay Pride festivals last year, and the vocals arrived on that day. And I just thought, that's such a Debbie thing, you know, where her timing is always divine. "I never would have believed it when I was a teenager listening to her music. I would never would have believed that I would be on a song with her. The industry still has "a way to go" in order for it to be more inclusive, says Bell. He added: "I know everybody gets one chance. "And you can have a huge hit and that's fine but the minute it starts to go askew you're dropped, like completely, it's almost like you're ignored. "And that would be my advice to young gay people in the industry, is you have to have really thick skin. "And also, don't believe the hype when you're a success, all the stuff that people are telling you, don't believe it, because it's too ingratiating, and too over the top praise, you need to keep your essence. "I think people become more damaged, not that their fame is instant, but because you're either so huge, or you're nothing. "I'm not saying it's an overnight thing, because they work really hard, but it's almost like I want to pre-warn them just in case." Erasure, made up of Bell and the musician and songwriter Vince Clarke, had multiple UK number one albums including Wild!, Chorus and I Say I Say I Say.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Erasure's Andy Bell says Blondie's Debbie Harry helped him come out
Erasure's Andy Bell says Blondie's Debbie Harry helped him come out Bell is best known for being half of the synth‐pop duo Erasure, the group behind the hit songs A Little Respect, Sometimes and Always Erasure perform at Terminal 5 in New York City (Image: Getty Images North America ) Erasure star Andy Bell has said the lead singer from Blondie, Debbie Harry, helped him come out as a teenager. Bell is best known for being half of the synth‐pop duo Erasure, the group behind the hit songs A Little Respect, Sometimes and Always. The singer, 61, now shares a song with Harry titled Heart's A Liar which features in his newly released studio album, Ten Crowns. Bell told PA news agency: "She was my teenage idol. "I was smitten. When I saw her on TV, she had the big hair with the light behind the hair, it was like a halo. "And so I bought a packet of hair bleach and bleached my hair and then went to school proudly with my Blondie t-shirt. Article continues below "She kind of helped me come out before I was gay kind of thing so that just stuck with me. "I was one of those kids that was in their bedroom listening to the music all day. "I had the record player in my wardrobe to make it sound bigger." The singer started his Ten Crowns tour in May 2025 with concerts scheduled across the UK throughout the summer along with performances in Ireland, Denmark and Germany. The North American leg of the tour will start from October through to December with concerts in New York City, Washington D.C. and Toronto. Speaking about Harry and new track, Heart's A Liar, Bell added that the song took about a year to be finalised with Harry's vocals. He said: "She's a great mentor and her songs are amazing. You know, the way she uses her voice. "It took about a year for it to come back, but it came back on the same day we were in New York City doing Gay Pride festivals last year, and the vocals arrived on that day. And I just thought, that's such a Debbie thing, you know, where her timing is always divine. "I never would have believed it when I was a teenager listening to her music. I would never would have believed that I would be on a song with her. The industry still has "a way to go" in order for it to be more inclusive, says Bell. He added: "I know everybody gets one chance. "And you can have a huge hit and that's fine but the minute it starts to go askew you're dropped, like completely, it's almost like you're ignored. "And that would be my advice to young gay people in the industry, is you have to have really thick skin. "And also, don't believe the hype when you're a success, all the stuff that people are telling you, don't believe it, because it's too ingratiating, and too over the top praise, you need to keep your essence. "I think people become more damaged, not that their fame is instant, but because you're either so huge, or you're nothing. Article continues below "I'm not saying it's an overnight thing, because they work really hard, but it's almost like I want to pre-warn them just in case." Erasure, made up of Bell and the musician and songwriter Vince Clarke, won the Brit Award for Best British Group in 1989, and saw multiple number one albums including Wild!, Chorus and I Say I Say I Say.
