10cc

The members of 10cc, all multi-talented musicians, can be divided into two parts; Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman were pop-song-lyricists, who co-wrote the band's best known songs, whereas the more arty members, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme wrote their experimental material. Gouldman, Godley and Creme had been childhood friends and they collaborated on various records and in various bands from 1964 until 10cc was formed with fourth member Stewart in 1972. They sent the single Donna to Jonathan King who immediately signed them and the track reached Number 2 in the UK singles chart. Third single, Rubber Bullets reached the top spot in 1973 and several more hits and a UK tour followed. But all wasn't happy in the King camp and when Mercury Records expressed an interest and then heard the band's newest single I'm Not In Love, they were snapped up. The single went to Number 1 in the UK charts in 1975 and Number 2 in the US charts. In 1976 Godley and Creme split from the band to pursue other recording and production projects (as Godley and Creme) whilst Stewart and Gouldman continued with a different line-up. The group continued to release work which never achieved the success they had had and in 1983 the pair went their separate ways as producers. Although there have been several attempts to return either as the original line-up or with other members, only Gouldman continues to record and tour under the 10cc name.