Squeeze performing live in 2020.

Squeeze is an English new wave band from London. Formed in March 1974, the group originally consisted of guitarists and vocalists Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, bassist Harri Kakoulli, keyboardist Jools Holland and drummer Paul Gunn. The group's current lineup features Tilbrook and Difford, drummer Simon Hanson, keyboardist Stephen Large (both of whom joined in 2007), percussionist Steve Smith (since 2017), steel guitarist Melvin Duffy (since 2019) and bassist Owen Biddle (since 2020).

History

1974–1982

Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford formed Squeeze in March 1974, initially using several different names including Skyco. They later (circa 1975) completed the lineup with the additions of bassist Harri Kakoulli, keyboardist Jools Holland and drummer Paul Gunn.[1] In 1976, Gunn was replaced by Gilson Lavis, who had previously toured with artists including Chuck Berry, Dolly Parton and Jerry Lee Lewis.[2] The band released their first EP Packet of Three in 1977, followed by their self-titled full-length debut the next year.[3] Shortly after the release of the group's second album Cool for Cats in April 1979, Kakoulli was replaced by John Bentley.[4] The new lineup released the single "Christmas Day" later in the year, followed by their third album Argybargy in early 1980.[5] During the subsequent promotional tour, Holland left in August 1980 to start a solo career.[6]

Jools Holland left in 1980 to start a solo career, but rejoined in 1985.

Holland was replaced by Paul Carrack, formerly of Roxy Music,[7] although his appointment was not announced until early 1981.[8] By September that year, after the release and promotion of East Side Story, the keyboardist had left again to join Carlene Carter's backing band.[9] He was replaced a couple of months later by Sinceros keyboardist Don Snow.[10] The new lineup issued Sweets from a Stranger and the single "Annie Get Your Gun" in 1982, before disbanding at the end of the year.[11] The breakup was attributed to Tilbrook and Difford being "Tired of touring and [the band's] frustrating commercial fortunes".[3]

1985–1999

In January 1985, the Argybargy lineup of Squeeze (with Jools Holland returning) reunited for a one-off performance.[2] Tilbrook and Difford subsequently chose to reform the group officially, with Keith Wilkinson taking Bentley's place on bass.[12] After the release of Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti, Holland's brother Christopher joined as a second keyboardist on tour, but was replaced shortly thereafter by Andy Metcalfe.[13] In the summer of 1987, he was made an official member in time for the release of Babylon and On.[14] Metcalfe had left by 1988, with his place taken by Matt Irving.[1] Eighth album Frank was released in 1989.[15]

After a run of shows ending in January 1990, Holland left Squeeze for a second time.[16] The 1991 release Play was subsequently credited to Tilbrook, Difford, Wilkinson and Lavis as a four-piece.[17] For the ensuing concert tour, keyboards were performed by former member Don Snow and new addition Carol Isaacs.[18] By the summer of 1992, Lavis had been replaced by Pete Thomas of the Attractions, while his bandmate Steve Nieve (who contributed to Play) took over on keyboards.[19] Former keyboardist Paul Carrack returned to take over from Nieve in early 1993.[3] In September, the group released their tenth studio album Some Fantastic Place, for which they toured until the end of the year.[20]

For a Japanese tour in early 1994, Carrack (who was touring with Mike and the Mechanics) was temporarily replaced by former keyboardist Andy Metcalfe.[21] In the summer, Squeeze toured the US with Aimee Mann as an additional vocalist and guitarist.[22] The group performed without a drummer after Thomas had joined the reunited Attractions, with returning keyboardist Carrack contributing some percussion.[23] For a string of UK shows later in the year, Andy Newmark joined on drums.[3] In early 1995, Kevin Wilkinson took over for the recording of Ridiculous, while Don Snow rejoined for a third time on the subsequent touring cycle.[3] After a short hiatus, the group returned in 1998 with a lineup including bassist Hilaire Penda, returning keyboardist Christopher Holland (brother of Jools) and drummer Ash Soan.[24]

Chris Difford was a constant member of Squeeze until he briefly left during 1999.

During the tour in promotion of new studio album Domino, co-founder Chris Difford abruptly left Squeeze in early 1999, just days prior to the tour's North American leg. Announced initially as a hiatus due to a dislike of travel, it was much later revealed the exit from Squeeze was due to ongoing problems with alcohol abuse. The band continuing for the rest of the year as a quartet.[25] For select dates, support act Nick Harper appeared as a second guitarist and vocalist.[26] Jim Kimberley replaced Soan as drummer for several shows mid-tour, and for the final few shows of the tour Holland was replaced by Chris Braide.[27] After the tour concluded in November, Squeeze disbanded and Tilbrook and Difford continued working on separate projects.[28]

Since 2007

After eight years apart (save for sporadic collaborations), Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford reformed Squeeze in early 2007.[29] The rest of the lineup was completed with former bassist John Bentley and new members Stephen Large on keyboards and Simon Hanson on drums.[30] During a UK tour in late 2010, Large was temporarily replaced by Steve Nieve.[31] The group issued two live albums and Spot the Difference, comprising new recordings of old songs, between 2007 and 2012.[3] Personnel remained stable until July 2015, when Bentley left the band by "mutual decision".[32] He was replaced by Lucy Shaw, who completed recording for Cradle to the Grave.[33]

After the release and promotion of their eleventh studio album, Squeeze announced in July 2017 that Shaw had been replaced by Yolanda Charles, and that Steve Smith had joined on percussion, guitar and vocals.[34] Both new members debuted on The Knowledge that year.[3] The group became a seven-piece for the first time in August 2019, when steel guitarist Melvin Duffy – who had performed with the band for several years as a backup member – joined officially.[35] Sean Hurley replaced Charles in February 2020,[36] who was followed by Owen Biddle in April.[37]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Glenn Tilbrook (December 5, 2014).jpg
Glenn Tilbrook
  • 1974–1982
  • 1985–1999
  • 2007–present
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • keyboards
  • sitar
  • banjo
  • lead and backing vocals
all Squeeze releases
Chris Difford, Squeeze, Rochester Castle Concert July 2011.jpg
Chris Difford
  • rhythm and lead guitars
  • backing and lead vocals
Stephen Large, Keyboard player with the hugely successful UK Band 'Squeeze'.jpg
Stephen Large 2007–present
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
all Squeeze releases from Five Live: On Tour in America (2007) onwards
Simon Hanson 2012.jpg
Simon Hanson
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
SteveSmithDVJan08.jpg
Steve Smith 2017–present
  • percussion
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
The Knowledge (2017)
Melvin Duffy 2019–present (session and touring member 2015–19)
  • pedal and lap steel guitars
  • dulcimer
all Squeeze releases from Cradle to the Grave (2015) onwards
Owen Biddle 2020–present
  • bass
  • backing vocals
none to date

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Jools Holland at the BAFTA's (cropped).jpg
Julian "Jools" Holland
  • 1974–1981
  • 1985–1990
  • keyboards
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
all Squeeze releases from Packet of Three (1977) to Argybargy (1980), and from Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti (1985) to A Round and a Bout (1990)
Harri Kakoulli 1974–1979 bass
Paul Gunn 1974–1976 drums none
Gilson Lavis
  • 1976–1982
  • 1985–1992
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
all Squeeze releases from Packet of Three (1977) to Play (1991)
John Bentley
  • 1979–1982
  • 1985 (one-off)
  • 2007–2015
  • bass
  • backing vocals
all Squeeze releases from "Christmas Day" (1979) to "Annie Get Your Gun" (1982), and from Five Live: On Tour in America (2007) to Cradle to the Grave (2015)
Martin Schmitt und Paul Carrack.jpg
Paul Carrack
  • 1980–1981
  • 1993–1994
  • keyboards
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • percussion (summer 1994)
Don Snow
  • 1981–1982
  • 1991–1992
  • 1995–1997
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Keith Wilkinson 1985–1997
  • bass
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
all Squeeze releases from Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti (1985) to Ridiculous (1995)
Pete Thomas2.JPG
Pete Thomas 1992–1994
  • drums
  • percussion
  • occasional keyboards
Some Fantastic Place (1993)
Andy Newmark percussionist.jpg
Andy Newmark 1994–1995 drums none
Kevin Wilkinson 1995–1997 (died 1999)
  • drums
  • percussion
Ridiculous (1995)
Hilaire Penda 1998–1999 bass Domino (1998)
Ash Soan.png
Ash Soan
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
Christopher Holland.JPG
Christopher Holland 1998–1999 (touring 1985)
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti (1985) – one track only
  • Domino (1998)
Lucy Shaw 2015–2017
  • bass
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
Cradle to the Grave (2015)
Yolanda Charles 2017–2020 bass The Knowledge (2017)
Sean Hurley 2020 (touring substitute 2019) none

Touring

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Andy Metcalfe
  • 1985–1988
  • 1994 (substitute)
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Babylon and On (1987) – three tracks only
Matt Irving 1988–1991 (died 2015)
  • keyboards
  • accordion
  • backing vocals
  • Frank (1989)
  • A Round and a Bout (1990)
  • Play (1991)
Carol Isaacs 1991–1992
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
none
Steve Nieve.JPG
Steve Nieve
  • 1992–1993
  • 2010 (substitute)
  • keyboards
  • harpsichord
Play (1991)
Aimee Mann October 2008.jpg
Aimee Mann 1994
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
none
Nick harper.jpg
Nick Harper 1999 Domino (1998) – one track only
Chris Braide
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Ridiculous (1995)

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
Spring 1974 none
1974–1976
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Harri Kakoulli – bass
  • Jools Holland – keyboards, vocals
  • Paul Gunn – drums
1976 – April 1979
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Harri Kakoulli – bass
  • Jools Holland – keyboards, vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, backing vocals
April 1979 – August 1980
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • John Bentley – bass, backing vocals
  • Jools Holland – keyboards, vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, backing vocals
Autumn 1980 – September 1981
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • John Bentley – bass, backing vocals
  • Paul Carrack – keyboards, vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, backing vocals
November 1981 – November 1982
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • John Bentley – bass, backing vocals
  • Don Snow – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Band inactive November 1982 – January 1985
January 1985
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • John Bentley – bass, backing vocals
  • Jools Holland – keyboards, vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
none
March – summer 1985
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, vocals
  • Jools Holland – keyboards, vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Summer – autumn 1985
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Jools Holland – keyboards, vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Holland – keyboards, backing vocals (touring)
none
Autumn 1985 – spring 1988
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Jools Holland – keyboards, vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Andy Metcalfe – keyboards, backing vocals (touring)
Summer 1988 – January 1990
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Jools Holland – keyboards, vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Matt Irving – keyboards, backing vocals (touring)
Early 1990 – summer 1991
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Matt Irving – keyboards, backing vocals (touring)
Summer 1991 – summer 1992
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Gilson Lavis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Don Snow – keyboards, backing vocals (touring)
  • Carol Isaacs – keyboards, backing vocals (touring)
none
Summer 1992 – early 1993
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Pete Thomas – drums, percussion
  • Steve Nieve – keyboards, harpsichord (touring)
Early 1993 – summer 1994
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Paul Carrack – keyboards, vocals
  • Pete Thomas – drums, percussion
Summer 1994
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Paul Carrack – keyboards, percussion, vocals
  • Aimee Mann – rhythm guitar, vocals (touring)
none
Late 1994 – early 1995
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Paul Carrack – keyboards, percussion, vocals
  • Andy Newmark – drums
Early – summer 1995
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Kevin Wilkinson – drums, percussion
Summer 1995 – early 1997
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Keith Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Kevin Wilkinson – drums, percussion
  • Don Snow – keyboards, backing vocals (touring)
none
Early 1997 – spring 1998
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
Spring 1998 – January 1999
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Hilaire Penda – bass
  • Chris Holland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Ash Soan – drums, percussion, backing vocals
January – October 1999
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Hilaire Penda – bass
  • Chris Holland – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Ash Soan – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Nick Harper – rhythm guitar, vocals (touring)
none
October – November 1999
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Hilaire Penda – bass
  • Ash Soan – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Nick Harper – rhythm guitar, vocals (touring)
  • Chris Braide – keyboards, backing vocals (touring)
Band inactive November 1999 – March 2007
March 2007 – July 2015
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • John Bentley – bass, backing vocals
  • Stephen Large – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Simon Hanson – drums, percussion, backing vocals
August 2015 – July 2017
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Lucy Shaw – bass, vocals
  • Stephen Large – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Simon Hanson – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Cradle to the Grave (2015) – remaining tracks
July 2017 – August 2019
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Yolanda Charles – bass
  • Stephen Large – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Simon Hanson – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Steve Smith – percussion, backing vocals
August 2019 – February 2020
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Melvin Duffy – steel guitars, dulcimer
  • Yolanda Charles – bass
  • Stephen Large – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Simon Hanson – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Steve Smith – percussion, backing vocals
none
February – April 2020
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Melvin Duffy – steel guitars, dulcimer
  • Sean Hurley – bass
  • Stephen Large – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Simon Hanson – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Steve Smith – percussion, backing vocals
April 2020 – present
  • Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Melvin Duffy – steel guitars, dulcimer
  • Owen Biddle – bass, backing vocals
  • Stephen Large – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Simon Hanson – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Steve Smith – percussion, backing vocals
none to date

References

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  26. Gilbertson, Jon M. (October 1999). "Pared-down Squeeze still proves tempting". Packet of Three. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
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  28. Zaleski, Annie (27 August 2008). "With a new U.S. tour alongside Aimee Mann and a fresh look at their greatest hits, U.K. pop geniuses Squeeze are reunited, reinvented — and rejuvenated". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
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