Turning his back on pop stardom as a solo performer, Stephen Duffy (b. 30 May 1960, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England) dropped the "Tin Tin" part of his name (after legal action by lawyers representing the Belgian author Herg‚), and formed the Lilac Time with his brother Nick (guitar). The band took their name from a line in the song "River Man" by UK singer-songwriter Nick Drake. Given a deliberately low-profile release on the tiny Birmingham label Swordfish, their 1987 debut The Lilac Time was recorded with the help of Michael Weston (piano), Bob Lamb and Michael Giri (both percussion). The subtle blend of pop harmonies and folk instrumentation was well received and Phonogram signed the band and re-released the debut. Shortly afterwards, Mickey Harris replaced bass player Frazer Kent. Paradise Circus was more commercial, with pop gems such as "The Girl Who Waves At Trains" standing out on a strong collection. & Love For All, produced jointly by Duffy, Andy Partridge of XTC and John Leckie, was more introspective, and despite strong efforts by Phonogram the band failed to record a hit in the singles chart, mainly because of a general unwillingness to forget Duffy's rather twee past as a pop idol (he was also in the early line-up of Duran Duran).

Listen to The Lilac Time at Finetune.

• (1999)  Looking for a Day in the Night

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