Wendy Smith (singer)

Wendy Smith (born 31 May 1963)[1] is an English musician. She was a singer and guitarist in the band Prefab Sprout from 1983 until 2001. In 2015, she became the director of creative learning at The Sage in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England.

Wendy Smith
Born (1963-05-31) 31 May 1963
Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England
Occupation(s)Musician, educationalist
Instrument(s)Vocals
Keyboards
Guitar
Years active1983–present
LabelsKitchenware Records

Career

Smith was born in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England.[1] She joined Prefab Sprout in 1983 after seeing them live in their early concerts,[2] and featured on six of their studio albums as a singer, guitarist and keyboard player.[3] The last album she recorded with the group was 1997's Andromeda Heights,[4] though she remained a member of the band until 2001.[5] One review of Prefab Sprout's second studio album, Steve McQueen, described Smith as having "fairy-dusted [the album with her] breathy harmonies."[6]

After an inactive period of the band in the late 1990s, coupled with Smith being pregnant,[7][8] she moved first into teaching,[9] and then becoming the head of practitioner development at Sage Gateshead in 2003.[10] She became head of learning and participation at The Sage in 2015.[11]

In 2021, Smith appeared on a single called "Winter Solstice" from poet Simon Armitage's band, LYR.[12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

Discography
Main article: Prefab Sprout § Discography

Collaborations
  • Contradictions (as Paul Smith and The Intimations), (2015)[19][20]

References
  1. "Wendy Smith - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  2. Wild, David (7 March 1991). "Paddy McAloon: The Last Pop Genius". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  3. "Tim Farron 'speechless' after meeting Prefab Sprout pin-up". Belfast Telegraph. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  4. Larkin, Colin, ed. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5 ed.). London: Omnibus Press, in association with Muze. p. 1,989. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  5. Harrison, Ian (August 2021). "Hello Goodbye; Wendy Smith and Prefab Sprout". Mojo. No. 333. Bauer Media. p. 114. ISSN 1351-0193.
  6. "The hottest downloads; must have reissue; book now". The Sunday Times. 8 April 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  7. Berkmann, Marcus (8 February 2014). "Prefab Sprout's comeback gives hope to the over-50s". The Spectator. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  8. "On the Inadvisability of Ever Meeting Your Heroes". Sproutology.co.uk. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  9. Cox, Tom (22 March 2000). "Going for a song". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  10. "Paddy McAloon: The return of Prefab Sprout's elusive genius". The Independent. 6 September 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  11. Wonfor, Sam (6 May 2015). "Sage Gateshead announce former Prefab Sprout singer as learning and participation director - The Journal". The Journal. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  12. "BBC Radio 6 Music - Steve Lamacq, 5 Minute Menu". BBC.
  13. "LYR 'Winter Solstice' Out Today feat. Wendy Smith". Totalentertainment. 11 April 2021.
  14. "Track: LYR share 'Redwings': unique and profound". Backseatmafia.com. 14 May 2021.
  15. "Meet: LYR on their new music, post-pandemic life, working with Simon Armitage, and more". Backseatmafia.com. 18 May 2021.
  16. Bradbury, Sarah. "LYR's Patrick Pearson: "I don't think you can ever get close to the energy that you'll find live"". Theupcoming.co.uk.
  17. Harrison, Ian (1 August 2021). "Hello Goodbye". Mojo (UK). Retrieved 13 March 2023 – via Pressreader.
  18. "Outsideleft Week in Music - We're hearing from The Armed, Alan Vega, Laraaji, LYR, Wadada Leo Smith, Belvedere,The Goa Express, Sarah Neufeld, Steve Almaas, Sam Eagle, The Mountain Goats and Flowertown ...the latest story in Outsideleft". Outsideleft.com.
  19. "Any Further Questions | Living North". Livingnorth.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  20. Ryan, Gary (6 September 2018). "Maxïmo Park's Paul Smith talks new "punchy, grungy" solo album - and backs calls for a second Brexit referendum". Nme.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
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