On 15th July 1983, Big Country released their debut album, The Crossing - arguably what the record-buying public worldwide view as the definitive sound and songs of one of the most exciting post-punk and post-classic rock bands of all time.
‘The Crossing’ reached Number 4 in the UK album chart, remaining in the chart for a phenomenal 81 weeks. It also reached Number 4 in Canada and Number 18 in the USA Billboard 200, 11 in The Netherlands, Number 18 in Sweden and Number 8 in New Zealand - eventually being certified Platinum in both the UK and Canada.
Spawning their iconic songs and anthems ‘In A Big Country’, ‘Harvest Home’ , ‘Chance’ and their debut single, ‘Fields of Fire’ released in February (reaching Number 10 in the UK singles chart) , beyond the UK, the album was released in countries as diverse and far-flung as Japan, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, The Philippines , Mexico, Israel, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany, Canada and the USA – where it was even available on 8 Track!
The band - Stuart Adamson, Bruce Watson, Tony Butler and Mark Brzezicki - performed on such iconic TV shows as ‘The Tube’, ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ and of course, ‘Top of The Pops’ sealing their phenomenal appeal across the whole spectrum of music fans. As response grew internationally, the band would also appear on the legendary ‘Saturday Night Live’ TV show in the USA.
Recorded in California, the fourth Big Country album, ‘Peace in our Time’ arrived in September 1988 and was produced by the band along with Ina Wolf and Peter Wolf of the J Geils Band (‘Centrefold’).
Mixed at the same Los Angeles studio as Michael Jackson’s ‘Dangerous’ album, ‘Peace In Our Time’ reached the Top Ten in the UK, where the singles ‘King Of Emotion’ and the title track. The album was also Top 40 in Germany and Top 30 in Sweden.
Following their celebratory tours marking the 30th anniversary of both their second and third albums – ‘Steeltown’ and ‘The Seer’ – in 2018 Big Country now mark the 35th anniversary of ‘The Crossing’ by performing the album in its entirety and the 30th anniversary of the release of ‘Peace In Our Time’ with a best-of selection. And surprises.
They return to MK11 in Kiln Farm on Thursday (October 11).
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