Beats International

Biography

This studio team of musicians was formed by Norman Cook (Quentin Cook, 31 July 1963, Bromley, Kent, England; ex-Housemartins) following the break-up of his former employers. Its basic composition was Cook (bass), Linda Layton (b. Belinda Kimberley Layton, 7 December 1970, Chiswick, London, England; vocals), Lester Noel (b. Lester John Noel, 3 September 1962, Paddington, London, England; vocals, ex-Grab Grab The Haddock; North Of Cornwallis), Andy Boucher (keyboards) and MC Wildski (rap). However, to these personnel could be added a range of occasional members ranging from Billy Bragg to Definition Of Sound to Captain Sensible. The first Beats International single, ‘For Spacious Lies’, gathered numerous rave reviews, and was much closer to traditional pop fare than subsequent releases. It included a contribution from Noel, who had met Cook when North Of Cornwallis supported the Housemartins on tour. Beats International shot to prominence in the UK when...

Read the Full Biography of Beats International