Biography
Since breaking through in 1990 The Charlatans have become one of the UK’s most beloved and enduring bands, their indie roots the focal point of a sound that has taken in everything from psychedelia to soul and funk via country rock.
In a history now stretching beyond 30 years, The Charlatans have crafted a back catalogue of enviable depth and variety, taking in three UK #1 albums (‘Some Friendly’, ‘The Charlatans’, ‘Tellin’ Stories’) and another seven Top 10 records. They’re an albums band with numerous iconic hits, with the classic Top 10 singles ‘The Only One I Know’, ‘One To Another’, ‘North Country Boy’ and ‘How High’ plus another eighteen Top 40 hits to their name. Many of those moments are captured in their ‘Melting Pot’ hits collection, one of two of their albums to have been certified Platinum.
So many instantly recognisable songs really benefits their live experience, whether they’re headlining the O2 Academy Brixton and The Royal Albert Hall, or hitting festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading and the Isle of Wight, or striding into stadiums as guests to the likes of Liam Gallagher and Gerry Cinnamon.
Their journey hasn’t been without immense challenges, notably the tragic losses of keyboardist Rob Collins in 1996 and drummer Jon Brookes in 2013. Yet the band – Tim Burgess (vocals), Martin Blunt (bass), Mark Collins (guitar) and Tony Rogers (keys) – have continued their storied legacy. Their previous album, 2017’s ‘A Different Days’, achieved their highest chart position since 2001, and was hailed by The Guardian as “their best album in 20 years.”
2024 saw The Charlatans start the year with a North American co-headline tour with Ride, before playing a selection of UK festivals. Tim Burgess was also presented with the inaugural Northern Music Award by members of New Order, adding to the band’s previous accolades which include two NME Awards.
Currently preparing to release the 30th Anniversary Expanded Edition of their third album ‘Up To Our Hips’, The Charlatans are also currently making big plans for 2025.
Tragedy struck in 1996 when founding member and keyboard player Rob Collins was killed in a car accident. Despite this devastating loss, The Charlatans continued to create music, and released a string of successful albums throughout the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, including ‘Up to Our Hips’ (1994), ‘Tellin’ Stories’ (1997), and ‘Wonderland’ (2001). Following this, the band sadly lost their drummer Jon Brookes from a brain tumour he was battling in 2013. The band aren’t shy of losses but still continue to push forward to make their fans happy, and to build upon the legacy for their band mates that no longer can.
Throughout their career, The Charlatans have consistently evolved their sound, embracing elements from Britpop and Alternative Rock, whilst remaining true to their unique, signature style. This has earned the band the reputation as musical innovators, and a loyal and dedicated fan base.
As of 2024, The Charlatans are creating new music and touring the world. With a legacy stretching over three decades, the band continue to entertain and inspire their global fanbase with electrifying live performances and timeless songs.
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Tomorrow morning @chris_hawkins will have the exclusive first play of the MGMT remix if We Are Love on @BBC6Music. It’s an absolute beauty
Chris’s show starts at 5am so ping in an early alarm setting - if not you can catch up on @BBCSounds
🎥 Scientists in the lab part 3: Harmonies 🎙️ #TheCharlatans #BTS #Studio #NewMusic
“It sounds like us, because it sounds effortless, but at the same time it doesn’t.” - Martin Blunt
"It’s still The Charlatans, but we wanted to rewrite the narrative. Which is something you can totally hear in the first single. It sounds like us, because it sounds effortless, but at the same time it doesn’t.” - Martin Blunt
"We’re honouring ourselves, our past, feeling that energy and reincarnating it, doing something fresh, brand new.”
We Are Love, releasing 31st October. Pre-save here: https://thecharlatans.lnk.to/WeAreLoveAlbumTW
Then, released on this day in 1990, the second single taken from our debut album Some Friendly. #90s
'Relentless', released on this day in 2023.
The Pretenders' 12th studio album, what's your favourite song?
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Pretenders on stage at the Antel Arena, Uruguay, earlier this year. Who caught the band on their South America headline tour?
📸 Paul Hernandez
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Shots on the road, Pretenders on tour 45 years ago.
📸 Ian Wallace, David Corio, Neil Zlozower & Paul Natkin
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This week in 1979, 'Kid' ends its seven week run in the @officialcharts.
On the song Jeremy Simmonds, @RollingStone, stated it "showed the group's complete mastery of ...sixties hooks with sharp, confident new wave leanings."
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Two months on since the release of 'Pretenders Live - Kick 'Em Where It Hurts', what's your favourite song on the album?
https://linktr.ee/pretendersHQ
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Pretenders II, released this week in 1981. What's your favourite track from this record?
Photo by Fin Costello
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The Pretenders’ second studio album, which reached the top 10 in the UK and US, was released on this day in 1981.
'Day After Day', taken from The Pretenders second studio album, released as a single in the UK this month in 1981. The music video shows the band touring across the US.
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📸 Shot by @KiPricePhoto, @IsleOfWightFest 2024.
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'Don't Get Me Wrong' on Saturday Night Live, 1986.
Just under a month to go until 'The Singles' is re-released on CD & 2LP. Pre-order now, releasing 15th August:... http://pretenders.lnk.to/thesingles
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'A Love' was released this week in 2023.
“I often see love / relationships almost in the same vein as drug addiction. Although, having said that, I know I am jaded, and ...cynical… ‘The Buzz’ on Hate for Sale visited the same theme.” - Chrissie
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‘Brass In Pocket' on Top of the Pops.
The third single taken from The Pretenders debut studio album released in 1980, the bands first single to reach number one in the UK 45 years ...ago.
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🎥 Scientists in the lab part 3: Harmonies 🎙️ #TheCharlatans #BTS #Studio #NewMusic
“It sounds like us, because it sounds effortless, but at the same time it doesn’t.” - Martin Blunt
Then, released on this day in 1990, the second single taken from our debut album Some Friendly. #90s
The Shot vs The Final Product #TheCharlatans #WeAreLove #BTS #NewMusic
🎥 Scientists in the lab part 2 #TheCharlatans #NewMusic #Studio #BTS
Tony and Martin getting your copies of #WeAreLove ready, signed copies available to pre-order now!
🎥 #WeAreLove behind the scenes, what's your favourite shot? #TheCharlatans #BTS
Our fourteenth studio album We Are Love - two months to go until release! #NewMusic #BTS #Studio
We Are Love out now #TheCharlatans #NewMusic
Watch the official music video for We Are Love now. #TheCharlatans #NewMusic
The Charlatans - We Are Love (Official Video)
North Country Boy live at @BBC6Music Festival, 10 years ago #TheCharlatans #TimBurgess #Live #90s