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{{Short description|English pop band}}
{{Refimprove|date=January 2009}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox Musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
| Name = The Korgis
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
| Img_capt =
{{Infobox musical artist
| Img_size =
| Landscape = | name = The Korgis
| Background = group_or_band | image =
| Alias = | image_size =
| Origin = | caption =
| Instrument = | background = group_or_band
| Voice_type = | alias =
| Genre = ] | origin = ], England
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|]|]}}
| Years_active = 1978–1982, 1985–1986, <br />1990–1993, 2005–present
| years_active = {{hlist|1978–1982|1985–1986|1990–1993|2005–2007|2017–present}}
| Label = Rialto Records<br>]<br>]<br />]<br />Angel Air
| label = {{hlist|Rialto|]|]|]|Angel Air|Cherry Red|Resolution}}
| Associated_acts = ]
| URL = (offline) | spinoff_of = ]
| spinoffs =
| Current_members = James Warren<br />Andy Davis<br />John Baker (1990–present)
| website = {{URL|thekorgis.com}}
| Past_members = Stuart Gordon (1979–1981)<br />Phil Harrison (1979–1981)
| current_members = {{unbulleted list|James Warren|John Baker|Al Steele|Paul Smith|Danielle Nicholls}}
| Notable_instruments =
| past_members = {{unbulleted list|Andy Cresswell-Davis|Glenn Tommey|Stuart Gordon|Phil Harrison|Bill Birks|Roy Dodds|Maggie Stewart|Steve Buck|Nigel Hart|Jay Marshall|Ava Volante|Emmy Rivers}}
}} }}

'''The Korgis''' are a ] ], originally composed of ] / ] James Warren (born 25 August 1951, ]) and singer / ] Andy Davis (born Andrew Cresswell-Davis 10 August 1949), both former members of 1970s band ], along with unofficial members ] Stuart Gordon and ] Phil Harrison.
'''The Korgis''' are an English pop band known mainly for their hit single "]" in 1980. The band was originally composed of singer/guitarist/keyboardist Andy Davis (born Andrew Cresswell-Davis 10 August 1949) and singer/bassist James Warren (born 25 August 1951), both former members of 1970s band ], along with violinist Stuart Gordon and keyboardist Phil Harrison.<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book|title=]|editor=]|publisher=]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=1401}}</ref>


==Career== ==Career==
The Korgis released their first ] "Young 'n' Russian" in early March 1979 on the label Rialto Records, owned by their managers Nick and Tim Heath. Their next single "If I Had You," was released soon after, and moved up to Number 13 on the ],<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book The Korgis released their first single "]" in February 1979 on the label Rialto Records, owned by their managers ] and Tim Heath. Joined briefly by drummer Bill Birks; their next single "]," was released soon after and moved up to number 13 on the ],<ref name= "British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book|first=David|last=Roberts|year=2006|title=British Hit Singles & Albums|edition=19th|publisher=Guinness World Records|location=London|isbn=1-904994-10-5|page=307}}</ref> featuring on '']'' and prompting the release of an eponymous debut album, '']'', in July 1979.<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 307}}</ref> prompting the release of an eponymous debut ], '']'', in July 1979.


Their next single, "]" (1980), from their second album '']'', was a ] on both sides of the ], hitting Number 5 in the ],<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book The follow-up singles a re-release of "Young 'n' Russian" and "I Just Can't Help It" failed to chart. However the next single, from their second album '']'' (1980) was "]" (1980),<ref name="LarkinGE"/> a number one ] in three countries, France, Spain and Switzerland, peaking at number 5 in the UK,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> 18 in the US and 11 in ]. It was also a top ten in Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy. The album reached number 40 in the UK in 1980 and was followed by the singles "]" and "Rovers Return".<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 307}}</ref> and #18 in the ]. The '']'' album reached Number 40 in the UK in 1980 and was followed by singles "If It's Alright With You Baby" and "Rovers Return". The band was alternately marketed as a duo, a trio and a quartet around this time. The commercial breakthrough was however not enough to keep them together, and after a third album, '']'' - and with lead single "That Was My Big Mistake" being released as 'James Warren & The Korgis' marking the fact that the group had now more or less evolved into a ], Davis and Warren went their separate ways. The single "Don't Look Back", originally a demo from the '']'' sessions, was however remixed by ] (at the time best known for his work with ], ] and ]) and issued by ] in the summer of 1982. A follow-up single with Horn, "Endangered Species", was planned but never materialised.


The commercial breakthrough that accompanied the release of their second album and the resulting singles was not enough to keep them together, however, and Davis departed the band prior to the recording of their third album, '']'', despite having a number of songwriting credits on the album. The lead single from ''Sticky George'', "That Was My Big Mistake", was released under the name 'James Warren & the Korgis' to denote the fact that Davis and Warren had now gone their separate ways. By the end of 1980, Gordon and Harrison had also departed the band; subsequently the band was augmented by the arrival of guitarist John Baker, drummer Roy Dodds, and keyboardist Maggie Stewart. This line-up went on to promote "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" and subsequent singles on European TV and promotional appearances.
Warren would go on to issue a ] ] entitled '']'' in 1986, while some of the singles during this era were still released as 'The Korgis' and co-produced by Andy Davis.


The following year the band was joined by flautist Steve Buck and was contemplating a Korgis Live show that ultimately failed to materialise; leading the band to dissolve and Warren to go solo in 1982. The single "]", originally a demo from the '']'' sessions, was produced by ], known for his work with ], ], ] and ], and issued by ] in the summer of 1982. A follow-up single with Horn, "Endangered Species", was planned but never materialised.
The band got back together in 1990 to ] "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime". The re-formed group consisting of James Warren, Andy Davis and new member John Baker released the album '']'' in 1992, having some success in ] and Japan, before breaking up again.


Warren went on to issue a solo ] entitled '']'' in 1987.<ref name="LarkinGE"/><ref>{{cite magazine |title=New Albums |magazine=] |date=31 January 1987 |page=26 |issn=0265-1548}}</ref> Some of the singles during that era were released as "the Korgis", essentially a one-man band consisting solely of Warren, and co-produced by Andy Davis. Davis released his own solo LP, '']'', in 1989.<ref>{{cite news |title=Clevedon Pier on record |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003833/19891130/049/0049 |newspaper=] |date=30 November 1989 |page=49 |via=] |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 February 2023}}</ref>
1999 saw the three original Korgis albums being re-issued by Edsel Records and was followed by the two disc anthology '']'' in 2003, issued by ]/].


The band reunited in 1990 to re-record "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime". The re-formed group, consisting of Warren, Davis, and Baker, released the album '']'' in 1992,<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |last1=Ankeny |first1=Jason |title=The Korgis Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-korgis-mn0000087407/biography |publisher=] |access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> having some success in ] and Japan, before breaking up again in 1993.
In 2005 Warren, Davis and Baker reunited again for a ] shoot for DVD/compilation album '']'' and recorded the fourteen-track album '']'', which was released on the Angel Air ] the following year.


1999 saw the three original Korgis albums being re-issued by Edsel Records, followed by the two-disc anthology '']'' in 2003, issued by ]/].
In 2006 they released their first single in thirteen years, "Something About The Beatles", which can be heard on Myspace.<ref> </ref>

{{Sound sample box align right|Music sample:}}
In 2005, Warren, Davis, and Baker reunited again for a film shoot for DVD/compilation album '']'', and recorded the fourteen-track album '']'', which was released on the Angel Air record label the following year.
{{listen

|filename=The Korgis - If I Had You.ogg
In 2006, the Korgis released their first single in thirteen years, "Something About the Beatles". This song acknowledges the influences of ] in particular, which was very strong on "If I Had You" and "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" which capture the ethereal sounds of Lennon's early 1970s output. The band acknowledged John Lennon's influence in interviews at the time, shortly before his murder.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}
|title=The Korgis - If I Had You

|description= 1979 hit "If I Had You".
Former member Stuart Gordon died on 28 August 2014 from lung cancer, aged 63.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2014b.html| title=The Dead Rock Stars Club : July – December 2014 |first=Doc |last=Rock |website=Thedeadrockstarsclub.com|access-date=1 September 2014}}</ref>
|format=]}}

{{sample box end}}
When Stackridge took a break from touring in 2014, Warren and Davis organised a tour of the UK in 2015 under the name of the Korgis, using exactly the same five-piece line-up as Stackridge. The re-formed Stackridge usually included some Korgis songs in their live set. Stackridge retired in 2017, and a recording of the farewell concert was released as ''The Final Bow''.
{{Sound sample box align right|Music sample:}}

{{listen
In 2017, Warren, encouraged by guitarist/arranger Al Steele, played some dates as James Warren and Friends. This included a Korgis set, and has led on to the first ever touring version of the Korgis - featuring James Warren. The first gig was at the Sunshine Festival in August 2018, and saw the return of John Baker plus Glenn Tommie from Stackridge (who also played on the original of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime"), and Al Steele from the 1990s touring band. During 2019, the band have played in Leeds, Shoreham, Bristol, and the ] in London.
|filename=The Korgis - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime.ogg

|title=The Korgis - "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime"
During the Covid lockdown in 2020, the Korgis began recording their first new album in close to 30 years. It was entitled ''Kartoon World'' and was released in 2021. The album had a common thread and was a return to the idea of a 'concept album'. In December 2021 the band played the new album in its entirety firstly in Abbotskerswell and then at the Rondo Theatre in Bath. Since then they have performed a string of dates combining old and new material. Reception of the album was unanimously positive with some parties calling it a "career high".
|description= 1980 hit "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime".

|format=]}}
In 2021, the single "Bringing Back the Spirit of Love" reached No1 in ]'s Heritage Chart. Subsequent singles, "Always a Sunny Day" and "Lines" have also charted.{{cn|date=October 2023}}
{{sample box end}}

{{Sound sample box align right|Music sample:}}
In early 2022, the Korgis were asked to release an album for the Japanese market. This is called ''Kool Hits, Kuriosities & Kollaborations'' and features some unreleased songs and the single "Always a Sunny Day" co-written and performed by the Korgis & ]. It also features re-recorded versions of the classic hits, plus some alternative mixes of some tracks from 'Kartoon World'. This album was released in the UK later in the year.
{{listen

|filename=The Korgis - Don't Look Back.ogg
In April 2023 the band launched a new show titled 'The Korgis Time Machine' which incorporated some cover songs that had been influences to the writers. This also saw a new streamlined line-up where John Baker took on the role of keyboards and backing vocal group Born to Win were replaced by Danielle Nicholls.
|title=The Korgis - Don't Look Back
|description= 1982 single "Don't Look Back".
|format=]}}
{{sample box end}}


==Cover versions== ==Cover versions==
{{unsourced|section|date=August 2023}}
In September 2004 ] and ] entered the ] ], with their ] of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" and had some success. That same year, ] also covered the song for the ] ], '']''. In 2003 it was included on ]'s cover album '']''.
In September 2004, ] and ] entered the French ], with their ] of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" and had some success. That same year, ] also covered the song for the ] film '']''. In 2003 it was included on ]'s cover album ''].''


Other cover versions of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" also took the ] back into the UK Singles Chart over the years, most notably those by ] (1987), ] (1991), ] (1995), ] (1995) and German ] ] Marc et Claude (2000). In 1997 ] group ] recorded the track with lead vocals by James Warren. ] and ] have also covered "If I Had You". ] of ] performed "If I Had You" live at the 12 Bar in 1998. Other cover versions of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" also took the song back into the UK Singles Chart over the years, including those by ] (1987), ] (1994), ] (1995) and ] (1995). ] and ] have also covered "If I Had You".


In 2010, ], of ], released a version of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" on her solo album '']''.
In 2005 Canadian musician turned record label executive ] of Bullseye Records released his 2nd solo album "Time Enough At Last" which featured "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime".


In 2011, ] included a version of the song on her debut album ''],'' released during the hiatus of pop band ].
Another version of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" has been recorded by the ], ]. In 2008, Dutch ] ] ] released a ] ] of "Everybody's Got To Learn Sometimes". Also in 2008, the ] based band ] covered the song; it was as the ] to their single, "]".


==Members==
The Swedish artist known as 'The Field' released the album 'Yesterday and Today' (2009), which covers the song Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime'.
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
;Current members
*James Warren – bass, vocals, guitar, keyboards <small>(1978–1982, 1985–1986, 1990–1993, 2005–present)</small>
*John Baker – keyboards, vocals, guitar <small> (1980–1982, 1990–1993, 2005–2014, 2017–present)</small>
*Al Steele – guitar, keyboards <small>(1993, 2017–present)</small>
*Paul Smith – drums <small>(2017–present)</small>
*Danielle Nicholls – vocals, percussion, guitar <small>(2023–present)</small>


{{col-2}}
==Discography==
;Former members
===Singles===
*Andy Cresswell-Davis – guitars, vocals, keyboards, drums <small>(1978–1980, 1990–1993, 2005–2007)</small>
* "Young 'n' Russian" / "Cold Tea" (1979)
*Glenn Tommey – keyboards, vocals <small>(2015–2019)</small>
* "If I Had You" (Single Version) / "Chinese Girl" (1979) UK #13
*Stuart Gordon – violin <small>(1978–1980; died 2014)</small>
* "Young 'n' Russian" / "Mount Everest Sings the Blues" (Re-release, 1980)
*Phil Harrison – keyboards <small>(1978–1980)</small>
* "I Just Can't Help It (Remix)" / "O Maxine" (1980)
*Bill Birks – drums, acoustic guitar <small>(1979)</small>
* "]" / "Dirty Postcards" (1980) UK #5, U.S. #18, Australia #11 France #1, Spain #1, Netherlands #3, Germany #3
*Roy Dodds – drums <small>(1980–1982)</small>
* "If It's Alright With You Baby" / "Love Ain't Too Far Away" (1980) UK #56
*Maggie Stewart – keyboards <small>(1980–1982)</small>
* "Dumb Waiters" / "Perfect Hostess" (1980)
*Steve Buck – flute, drums <small>(1981–1982)</small>
* "Rover's Return" / "Wish You A Merry Christmas" (1980)
* "That Was My Big Mistake" (Edit) / "Can't We Be Friends Now" (James Warren & The Korgis, 1981)
* "All The Love In The World" (Edit) / "Intimate" (1981)
* "Don't Say That It's Over" (Single Version) / "Drawn And Quartered" (1981)
* "Sticky George" / "Nowhere To Run" (Single Version) (James Warren & The Korgis, 1981)
* "Don't Look Back" /"Xenophobia" (1982)
* "Burning Questions" / "Waiting For Godot" (1985)
* "Burning Questions" (Extended) / "Waiting For Godot" (12", 1985)
* "True Life Confessions" / "Possessed" (Edit) (1985)
* "True Life Confessions" (Extended) / "I Know Something" / "Possessed (edited)" (12", 1985)
* "They Don't Believe in Magic" / "I'll Be Here" (James Warren, 1986)
* "It Won't Be the Same Old Place" (Single remix by David Lord) / "Climate of Treason" (James Warren, 1986)
* "How Did You Know?" / "Can You Hear the Spirit Dying" (James Warren, 1987)
* "True Life Confessions" ('88 Remix by Kenny Denton) / "Possessed" (edit) ('The Korgis', 1988)
* "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime" (1990 re-recording) - 4:09 / "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" (Instrumental) - 4:09 / "This World's for Everyone" (Home demo version) - 3:07 (CD, 1990)
* "One Life" - 3:36 / "Wreckage of a Broken Heart" - 3:12 / "No Love in the World" - 3:39 (CD, 1992)
* "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime - DNA Remixes" (Slow & Moody 7") - 3:43 / (Slow & Moody 12") - 5:24 / (12" Disco Heaven Mix) - 6:47 /(Housey 7") - 3:51 (CD, 1993)
* "Something About The Beatles" / "It All Comes Down To You" / "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime" (2006)


;Former touring musicians
===Albums===
*Nigel Hart – keyboards, <small>(2019–present)</small>
*'']'' (1979)
*Jay Marshall – backing vocals <small>(2017–present)</small>
*'']'' (1980)
*Emmy Rivers – backing vocals <small>(2017–present)</small>
*'']'' (The Korgis/James Warren & The Korgis, 1981)
*Ava Volante – backing vocals <small>(2017–present)</small>
*'']'' (released as James Warren solo album, 1986)
*Eddie John – drums, vocals <small>(2015)</small>
*'']'' (1992)
*Clare Lindley – violin, guitar, vocals <small>(2015)</small>
*''] (2005)
{{col-end}}
*'']'' (2006)
*'']'' (2007)


===Compilations=== ==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable"
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions
|-
! style="width:35px;"| <small>]</small><br><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>
! style="width:35px;"| <small>]</small><br><ref name="Awards"/>
|-
| 1979
| '']''
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
| 1980
| '']''
| align=center | 40
| align=center | 113
|-
| 1981
| '']''
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
| 1987
| '']'' <small>(James Warren solo album)</small>
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
| 1992
| '']''
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
| 2007
| ''Folk & Pop Classics''
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
| 2021
| ''Kartoon World''
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
| 2022
| ''Kool Hits, Kuriosities & Kollaborations''
| align=center | —
| align=center | —
|-
| colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
|}

===Compilation albums===
*'']'' (1983) *'']'' (1983)
*'']'' (1988) *'']'' (1990)
*'']'' (1990) *'']'' (1997)
*'']'' (1997) *'']'' (2001)
*'']'' (2001) *'']'' (2001)
*'']'' (2001) *'']'' (2 CD) (2003)
*'']'' (2005)
*''] (2 CD) (2003)


==Videography== ===Live albums===
*''] *'']'' (2006)

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" colspan="5"| Peak chart positions
|-
! style="width:40px;"| <small>]</small><br><ref name="UK">{{cite web|title=KORGIS - full Official Chart History|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/17798/korgis/|publisher=]|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref>
! style="width:40px;"| <small>]</small><br><ref name="Awards">{{cite web|title=The Korgis - Awards|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-korgis-mn0000087407/awards|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=31 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902114243/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-korgis-mn0000087407/awards|archive-date=September 2, 2014}}</ref>
! style="width:40px;"| <small>]</small><br>
! style="width:40px;"| <small>]</small><br>
! style="width:40px;"| <small>]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=korgis&cat=s|title=Top 100}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"|1979
| "]"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "]"
| align=center | 13
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="5"|1980
| "]"
| align=center | 5
| align=center | 18
| align=center | 11
| align=center | 11
| align=center | 11
|-
| "]"
| align=center | 56
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 39
|-
| "I Just Can't Help It"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "Dumb Waiters"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "Rover's Return"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 12
|-
| rowspan="4"|1981
| "That Was My Big Mistake"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "All the Love in the World"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "Don't Say That It's Over"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "Sticky George"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 1982
| "]"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="2"|1985
| "True Life Confessions"
| align=center | 166<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ukmix.org/forum/chart-discussion/chart-analysis/10953600-uk-singles-charts-1985-including-chart-panel-sales |title=Gallup Top 200 Singles |magazine=Gallup |date=15 June 1985 |via=ukmix.org |access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 37
|-
| "Burning Questions"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="2"|1986
| "They Don't Believe in Magic" <small>(credited to James Warren)</small>
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "It Won't Be the Same Old Place" <small>(credited to James Warren)</small>
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 1987
| "How Did You Know?" <small>(credited to James Warren)</small>
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 1988
| "True Life Confessions" <small>(remix)</small>
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 1990
| "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime" <small>(re-recording)</small>
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 1992
| "One Life"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 1993
| "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" <small>(DNA Mix)</small>
| align=center | 78<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Hit Singles 2 |magazine=] |date=26 June 1993 |issue=39 |page=4}}</ref>
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 2006
| "Something About the Beatles"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="2"|2020
| "The Ghost of You"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "Bringing Back the Spirit of Love"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="3"|2021
| "Time (Song for Dom)"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "Magic Money Tree"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "The Best Thing You Can Do Is to Love Someone"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 2022
| "Always a Sunny Day" <small>(with Joe Matera)</small>
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
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| 2023
| "Oppenheimer (Stuck in this Moment)"
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| colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
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==See also== ==See also==
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==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
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Latest revision as of 06:19, 6 January 2025

English pop band
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The Korgis
OriginBristol, England
Genres
Years active
  • 1978–1982
  • 1985–1986
  • 1990–1993
  • 2005–2007
  • 2017–present
Labels
Spinoff ofStackridge
Members
  • James Warren
  • John Baker
  • Al Steele
  • Paul Smith
  • Danielle Nicholls
Past members
  • Andy Cresswell-Davis
  • Glenn Tommey
  • Stuart Gordon
  • Phil Harrison
  • Bill Birks
  • Roy Dodds
  • Maggie Stewart
  • Steve Buck
  • Nigel Hart
  • Jay Marshall
  • Ava Volante
  • Emmy Rivers
Websitethekorgis.com

The Korgis are an English pop band known mainly for their hit single "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" in 1980. The band was originally composed of singer/guitarist/keyboardist Andy Davis (born Andrew Cresswell-Davis 10 August 1949) and singer/bassist James Warren (born 25 August 1951), both former members of 1970s band Stackridge, along with violinist Stuart Gordon and keyboardist Phil Harrison.

Career

The Korgis released their first single "Young 'n' Russian" in February 1979 on the label Rialto Records, owned by their managers Nick Heath and Tim Heath. Joined briefly by drummer Bill Birks; their next single "If I Had You," was released soon after and moved up to number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, featuring on Top of the Pops and prompting the release of an eponymous debut album, The Korgis, in July 1979.

The follow-up singles a re-release of "Young 'n' Russian" and "I Just Can't Help It" failed to chart. However the next single, from their second album Dumb Waiters (1980) was "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" (1980), a number one hit in three countries, France, Spain and Switzerland, peaking at number 5 in the UK, 18 in the US and 11 in Australia. It was also a top ten in Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy. The album reached number 40 in the UK in 1980 and was followed by the singles "If It's Alright with You Baby" and "Rovers Return".

The commercial breakthrough that accompanied the release of their second album and the resulting singles was not enough to keep them together, however, and Davis departed the band prior to the recording of their third album, Sticky George, despite having a number of songwriting credits on the album. The lead single from Sticky George, "That Was My Big Mistake", was released under the name 'James Warren & the Korgis' to denote the fact that Davis and Warren had now gone their separate ways. By the end of 1980, Gordon and Harrison had also departed the band; subsequently the band was augmented by the arrival of guitarist John Baker, drummer Roy Dodds, and keyboardist Maggie Stewart. This line-up went on to promote "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" and subsequent singles on European TV and promotional appearances.

The following year the band was joined by flautist Steve Buck and was contemplating a Korgis Live show that ultimately failed to materialise; leading the band to dissolve and Warren to go solo in 1982. The single "Don't Look Back", originally a demo from the Sticky George sessions, was produced by Trevor Horn, known for his work with The Buggles, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Dollar and Yes, and issued by London Records in the summer of 1982. A follow-up single with Horn, "Endangered Species", was planned but never materialised.

Warren went on to issue a solo LP entitled Burning Questions in 1987. Some of the singles during that era were released as "the Korgis", essentially a one-man band consisting solely of Warren, and co-produced by Andy Davis. Davis released his own solo LP, Clevedon Pier, in 1989.

The band reunited in 1990 to re-record "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime". The re-formed group, consisting of Warren, Davis, and Baker, released the album This World's For Everyone in 1992, having some success in Continental Europe and Japan, before breaking up again in 1993.

1999 saw the three original Korgis albums being re-issued by Edsel Records, followed by the two-disc anthology Don't Look Back – The Very Best of The Korgis in 2003, issued by Sanctuary Records/Castle Communications.

In 2005, Warren, Davis, and Baker reunited again for a film shoot for DVD/compilation album Kollection, and recorded the fourteen-track album Unplugged, which was released on the Angel Air record label the following year.

In 2006, the Korgis released their first single in thirteen years, "Something About the Beatles". This song acknowledges the influences of John Lennon in particular, which was very strong on "If I Had You" and "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" which capture the ethereal sounds of Lennon's early 1970s output. The band acknowledged John Lennon's influence in interviews at the time, shortly before his murder.

Former member Stuart Gordon died on 28 August 2014 from lung cancer, aged 63.

When Stackridge took a break from touring in 2014, Warren and Davis organised a tour of the UK in 2015 under the name of the Korgis, using exactly the same five-piece line-up as Stackridge. The re-formed Stackridge usually included some Korgis songs in their live set. Stackridge retired in 2017, and a recording of the farewell concert was released as The Final Bow.

In 2017, Warren, encouraged by guitarist/arranger Al Steele, played some dates as James Warren and Friends. This included a Korgis set, and has led on to the first ever touring version of the Korgis - featuring James Warren. The first gig was at the Sunshine Festival in August 2018, and saw the return of John Baker plus Glenn Tommie from Stackridge (who also played on the original of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime"), and Al Steele from the 1990s touring band. During 2019, the band have played in Leeds, Shoreham, Bristol, and the 100 Club in London.

During the Covid lockdown in 2020, the Korgis began recording their first new album in close to 30 years. It was entitled Kartoon World and was released in 2021. The album had a common thread and was a return to the idea of a 'concept album'. In December 2021 the band played the new album in its entirety firstly in Abbotskerswell and then at the Rondo Theatre in Bath. Since then they have performed a string of dates combining old and new material. Reception of the album was unanimously positive with some parties calling it a "career high".

In 2021, the single "Bringing Back the Spirit of Love" reached No1 in Mike Read's Heritage Chart. Subsequent singles, "Always a Sunny Day" and "Lines" have also charted.

In early 2022, the Korgis were asked to release an album for the Japanese market. This is called Kool Hits, Kuriosities & Kollaborations and features some unreleased songs and the single "Always a Sunny Day" co-written and performed by the Korgis & Joe Matera. It also features re-recorded versions of the classic hits, plus some alternative mixes of some tracks from 'Kartoon World'. This album was released in the UK later in the year.

In April 2023 the band launched a new show titled 'The Korgis Time Machine' which incorporated some cover songs that had been influences to the writers. This also saw a new streamlined line-up where John Baker took on the role of keyboards and backing vocal group Born to Win were replaced by Danielle Nicholls.

Cover versions

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In September 2004, Zucchero and Vanessa Carlton entered the French charts, with their cover version of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" and had some success. That same year, Beck also covered the song for the Michel Gondry film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In 2003 it was included on Erasure's cover album Other People's Songs.

Other cover versions of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" also took the song back into the UK Singles Chart over the years, including those by The Dream Academy (1987), Yazz (1994), Baby D (1995) and Army of Lovers (1995). Tracey Ullman and Rod Stewart have also covered "If I Had You".

In 2010, Sharon Corr, of The Corrs, released a version of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" on her solo album Dream of You.

In 2011, Nicola Roberts included a version of the song on her debut album Cinderella's Eyes, released during the hiatus of pop band Girls Aloud.

Members

Current members
  • James Warren – bass, vocals, guitar, keyboards (1978–1982, 1985–1986, 1990–1993, 2005–present)
  • John Baker – keyboards, vocals, guitar (1980–1982, 1990–1993, 2005–2014, 2017–present)
  • Al Steele – guitar, keyboards (1993, 2017–present)
  • Paul Smith – drums (2017–present)
  • Danielle Nicholls – vocals, percussion, guitar (2023–present)
Former members
  • Andy Cresswell-Davis – guitars, vocals, keyboards, drums (1978–1980, 1990–1993, 2005–2007)
  • Glenn Tommey – keyboards, vocals (2015–2019)
  • Stuart Gordon – violin (1978–1980; died 2014)
  • Phil Harrison – keyboards (1978–1980)
  • Bill Birks – drums, acoustic guitar (1979)
  • Roy Dodds – drums (1980–1982)
  • Maggie Stewart – keyboards (1980–1982)
  • Steve Buck – flute, drums (1981–1982)
Former touring musicians
  • Nigel Hart – keyboards, (2019–present)
  • Jay Marshall – backing vocals (2017–present)
  • Emmy Rivers – backing vocals (2017–present)
  • Ava Volante – backing vocals (2017–present)
  • Eddie John – drums, vocals (2015)
  • Clare Lindley – violin, guitar, vocals (2015)

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album Peak chart positions
UK
 US
1979 The Korgis — —
1980 Dumb Waiters 40 113
1981 Sticky George — —
1987 Burning Questions (James Warren solo album) — —
1992 This World's for Everyone — —
2007 Folk & Pop Classics — —
2021 Kartoon World — —
2022 Kool Hits, Kuriosities & Kollaborations — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilation albums

Live albums

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions
UK
 US
 AUS
 FRA
 NL
1979 "Young 'n' Russian" ― ― ― ― ―
"If I Had You" 13 ― ― ― ―
1980 "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" 5 18 11 11 11
"If It's Alright with You Baby" 56 ― ― ― 39
"I Just Can't Help It" ― ― ― ― ―
"Dumb Waiters" ― ― ― ― ―
"Rover's Return" ― ― ― ― 12
1981 "That Was My Big Mistake" ― ― ― ― ―
"All the Love in the World" ― ― ― ― ―
"Don't Say That It's Over" ― ― ― ― ―
"Sticky George" ― ― ― ― ―
1982 "Don't Look Back" ― ― ― ― ―
1985 "True Life Confessions" 166 ― ― ― 37
"Burning Questions" ― ― ― ― ―
1986 "They Don't Believe in Magic" (credited to James Warren) ― ― ― ― ―
"It Won't Be the Same Old Place" (credited to James Warren) ― ― ― ― ―
1987 "How Did You Know?" (credited to James Warren) ― ― ― ― ―
1988 "True Life Confessions" (remix) ― ― ― ― ―
1990 "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime" (re-recording) ― ― ― ― ―
1992 "One Life" ― ― ― ― ―
1993 "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" (DNA Mix) 78 ― ― ― ―
2006 "Something About the Beatles" ― ― ― ― ―
2020 "The Ghost of You" ― ― ― ― ―
"Bringing Back the Spirit of Love" ― ― ― ― ―
2021 "Time (Song for Dom)" ― ― ― ― ―
"Magic Money Tree" ― ― ― ― ―
"The Best Thing You Can Do Is to Love Someone" ― ― ― ― ―
2022 "Always a Sunny Day" (with Joe Matera) ― ― ― ― ―
2023 "Oppenheimer (Stuck in this Moment)" ― ― ― ― ―
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

See also

References

  1. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1401. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records. p. 307. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. "New Albums". Music Week. 31 January 1987. p. 26. ISSN 0265-1548.
  4. "Clevedon Pier on record". Clevedon Mercury. 30 November 1989. p. 49. Retrieved 17 February 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. Ankeny, Jason. "The Korgis Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  6. Rock, Doc. "The Dead Rock Stars Club : July – December 2014". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  7. ^ "The Korgis - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  8. "KORGIS - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  9. "Top 100".
  10. "Gallup Top 200 Singles". Gallup. 15 June 1985. Retrieved 24 November 2022 – via ukmix.org.
  11. "Hit Singles 2". Hit Music. No. 39. 26 June 1993. p. 4.

External links

The Korgis
  • James Warren
  • Andy Davis
  • John Baker
  • Al Steele
  • Stuart Gordon
  • Phil Harrison
  • Bill Birks
  • Roy Dodds
  • Maggie Stewart
  • Steve Buck
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Live albums
Singles
Related articles
Categories: