The Outfield were an English pop rock band from the East End of London, formed in 1984. They found success in the mid-1980s and are best remembered for their hit single “Your Love”.
The band’s line-up consisted of guitarist John Spinks, vocalist and bassist Tony Lewis, and drummer Alan Jackman. A fourth musician, drummer Simon Dawson, played with them for two decades. Here is each member, with roles and years as listed on Wikipedia.
Tony Lewis – Vocals, Bass Guitar (1984–2014)
Tony Lewis was the band’s vocalist and bassist for its entire run, from 1984 to 2014. He died in 2020.
John Spinks – Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals (1984–2014)
John Spinks was the band’s guitarist, keyboardist and songwriter. He played with the group from 1984 to 2014 and died in 2014.
Alan Jackman – Drums, Percussion (1984–1989, 2009–2014)
Alan Jackman was the original drummer. He left in 1989 and returned in 2009, staying until 2014.
Simon Dawson – Drums (1989–2009)
Simon Dawson took over on drums in 1989 and played with the band until 2009, a run of two decades that covered the years Alan Jackman was away.
Name History
Before The Outfield, Lewis, Spinks and Jackman played together in the late 1970s in a power pop band called Sirius B. Several years after it broke up, the three gathered in London’s East End under the name the Baseball Boys and performed in and around England until a demo got them signed to Columbia/CBS Records in 1984.
The group acquired a reputation as a very “American-sounding” band and signed in the United States after playing for just a few months in England. Their American manager recommended a new name with a similar attitude, since Baseball Boys seemed too tongue-in-cheek. Spinks said, “The Outfield was the most left-wing kind of thing we liked.”
Spinks was also a devoted fan of association football and said the group did not know what an outfield was until they visited the U.S.
The Outfield Line-up at a Glance
- Tony Lewis: vocals and bass guitar
- John Spinks: guitar, keyboards and vocals
- Alan Jackman: drums (1984–1989, 2009–2014)
- Simon Dawson: drums (1989–2009)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the three original members of The Outfield? Tony Lewis, John Spinks and Alan Jackman.
Who replaced Alan Jackman on drums? Simon Dawson took over in 1989; Jackman returned in 2009.
When did The Outfield form? The band formed in 1984 in the East End of London.
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