Vince Clarke and Erasure

Released in February of 1986, WONDERLAND was the debut album by Erasure, a duo comprised of British new music veteran Vince Clarke and newcomer Andy Bell. The LP contains the U.K. hits "Heavenly Action" and "Who Needs Love Like That" as well as the group's first American hit, "Oh L'Amour." Conceptualist, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Vince Clarke has been the creative force behind a number of influential English bands, beginning with Depeche Mode. Clarke's trademark blend of soul and synthesizers was first heard on the group's 1981 debut album, SPEAK & SPELL, featuring such Erasure Clarke originals as "New Life" and "Just Can't Get Enough." By the following year, Clarke had left Depeche Mode to form Yaz (Yazoo in England) with singer Alison "Alf" Moyet. The duo released two acclaimed albums, UPSTAIRS AT ERIC'S (featuring the hit "Situation") and YOU AND ME BOTH. Clarke then went on to create Assembly and scored still another hit with "Never, Never." In late 1984, Clarke placed an ad for a singer in the British music paper MELODY MAKER. Scores of hopefuls responded, including Andy Bell, who had previously performed in the underground group THE VOID in his native Peterborough. The two joined forces as Erasure in early 1985 and almost immediately hit the charts with "Heavenly Action" and "Who Needs Love Like That," which was also released as a single in the U.S. Erasure toured America in the spring of '86 with a stage show that featured Bell's lead vocals, three backing singers and Vince Clarke on keyboards and synthesizers.
They have released 8 albums, two EP's, and A lot of B-sides, remix LPs, special releases and singles and more.... Erasure's latest album is Cowboy ... and now we're waiting for a brand new album that is supposed to come sometime next year.