Ultravox were a British new wave band formed in London in April 1974 as Tiger Lily. Twelve musicians were members across three distinct eras: the John Foxx-fronted band of the early years, the Midge Ure-fronted synth-pop hitmakers of the chart years, and a short-lived 1992–1996 revival led by keyboardist Billy Currie. Here is the complete list of Ultravox members, with instruments and years.
The Headline Ultravox Line-Up
| Member | Instruments | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Cross | Bass, synthesisers, backing vocals | 1974–1987, 2008–2013 (died 2024) |
| Warren Cann | Drums, electronic percussion, drum programming, synthesizers, backing and occasional lead vocals | 1974–1986, 2008–2013 |
| Billy Currie | Synthesisers, keyboards, violin, viola | 1974–1987, 1992–1996, 2008–2013 |
| Midge Ure | Lead vocals, guitars, synthesisers | 1979–1987, 2008–2013 |
Cross, Cann, Currie and Ure are the line-up that made “Vienna” and every other chart hit, and the one that reunited in 2008. Billy Currie is the only person present in all three eras of the band.
Former Ultravox Members
| Member | Instruments | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| John Foxx | Lead vocals | 1974–1979 |
| Stevie Shears | Guitar | 1974–1978 |
| Robin Simon | Guitar, backing vocals | 1978–1979 |
| Tony Fenelle | Lead vocals, guitar | 1992–1993 |
| Sam Blue | Lead vocals | 1994–1996 |
| Vinny Burns | Guitar | 1994–1996 |
| Tony Holmes | Drums, percussion | 1994–1996 |
| Gary Williams | Bass | 1994–1996 |
Who Was in the John Foxx Era (1974–1979)
The original 1974 line-up was Chris Cross on bass, John Foxx on lead vocals, Stevie Shears on guitar, Warren Cann on drums and Billy Currie on violin. From 1975 Currie added keyboards and synthesiser and Cann added electronic percussion, and the band, styled Ultravox! between 1976 and 1978, made its early records with Foxx as frontman and main driving force. Shears left in 1978 and was replaced by Robin Simon on guitar for the final Foxx-era line-up. Foxx left in March 1979 to embark on a solo career, and Simon departed the same year.
How Midge Ure Joined and the Hit Years (1979–1987)
Midge Ure took over as lead singer, guitarist and frontman after he and Billy Currie had worked together on the studio project Visage. The four-piece of Cross, Cann, Currie and Ure revitalised the band: between 1980 and 1986 Ultravox scored seven top ten albums and seventeen top 40 singles in the UK, the biggest being “Vienna” in 1981. After a two-year break, Warren Cann was dismissed at a band meeting before recording began in 1986, over musical differences; Ure said the small differences of two years earlier had magnified and the band had grown apart. Cross, Currie and Ure continued as a trio until the group disbanded in 1987.
Who Was in the Billy Currie Revival (1992–1996)
Billy Currie formed a new line-up under the Ultravox name in 1992, first with singer and guitarist Tony Fenelle (1992–1993), then with Sam Blue on lead vocals, Vinny Burns on guitar, Tony Holmes on drums and Gary Williams on bass (1994–1996). This version achieved limited success: two albums failed to chart and a single solitary single reached number 90 on the UK Singles Chart. The band was inactive again from 1996 to 2008.
What Happened in the Reunion Years (2008–2013)
The best-known line-up of Currie, Ure, Cross and Cann re-formed in 2008, their first shows together since Live Aid in 1985. The reunion opened at the Edinburgh Playhouse on 10 April 2009, with Ure initially describing it as a one-off celebration with no new material. That changed: the band played further shows in 2009 and 2010 and released a new studio album, Brill!ant, in May 2012, which reached number 21 on the UK Albums Chart. In November 2013 Ultravox were special guests on a four-date UK arena tour with Simple Minds, which proved to be their final shows; in 2017 both Currie and Ure indicated the band had run its course. Bassist Chris Cross died on 25 March 2024, his death confirmed by Midge Ure on 1 April.
Ultravox Members FAQ
Who was the original singer of Ultravox?
John Foxx, from the band’s formation as Tiger Lily in 1974 until March 1979.
Who replaced John Foxx?
Midge Ure, who joined in 1979 and fronted the band through its chart years and the 2008–2013 reunion.
Which members were in every era?
Only Billy Currie played in the Foxx-era band, the Ure-era band, the 1992–1996 revival and the reunion. Chris Cross and Warren Cann were in the first two eras and the reunion.
Are Ultravox still together?
No. The last shows were in November 2013, and in 2017 Currie and Ure both said the band had finished.
Related
- Complete List of Soft Machine Band Members
- Complete List of Social Distortion Band Members
- Complete List of Screaming Trees Band Members