by Mark Nobes, chief editor
Junior Giscombe (real name Norman Washington Giscombe - what a mouthful and Norman just wouldn't work would it?) had a #7 hit in the UK with "Mama Used To Say"
in 1982. The song also peaked at #30 in the US Bilboard Hot 100.
From London and with Jamaican parents, the ex-backing singer
with the band Linx had two more Top 40 hit singles in the UK during the
80s, and one in the 90s, and these were; "Too Late" in 1982 (#20), "Another Step (Closer To You)" with Kim Wilde in 1987 (#6) and "Then Came You" in 1992 (#32).
The vinyl single sleeve for "Mama Used To Say". The B-side of the 7" featured the "American Instrumental Mix". The 12" vinyl included a different instrumental and the "English Party Mix".
Junior released five albums during the 1980s, but his only successful one in the UK was his debut Ji which reached #28 in the album charts.
Junior riding a racing bike which were very popular at the time. I remember that just about every young lad wanted one for Christmas, in the UK, at least.
The single sleeve for "Another Step (Closer To You)". Hmm, I'm not sure who Kim Wilde's make-up artist was, but he/she should have been sacked on the spot - those eyebrows just aren't right!
Singles
1982 Mama Used To Say #7 #30 (U.S.)
1982 Too Late #20
1982 Let Me Know/I Can't Help It #53
1983 Communication Breakdown #57
1983 Baby I Want You Back
1983 Unison
1984 Somebody #64
1985 Do You Really (Want My Love) #47
1985 Not Tonight
1985 Oh Louise #74
1987 Another Step Closer To You (with Kim Wilde) #6
1988 Yes (If You Want Me)
1990 Step Off #63
1992 Then Came You #32
1992 All Over The World #74
2011 Mama Used To Say (New Version with Mumzy Stranger)
Chart positions are for the UK unless otherwise stated
Albums
1982 Ji #28
1983 Inside Lookin' Out
1985 Acquired Taste
1988 Sophisticated Street
1990 Stand Strong
1992 Renewal
1995 Honesty
2005 Oceans
2011 Prisoner of Hope
The one chart position shown is for the UK.
Around 1984 to '85, Junior recorded a number of tracks with former Thin Lizzy band member Phil Lynott. After Lynott's death in January 1986, the tracks were never released and were still in demo format. However, the track "Lady Loves To Dance" was mastered, although never released officially. Junior shares vocals with Lynott on the tracks, and it's believed he possibly co-write them, too.
Other tracks recorded were "Time (and Again)", "What's The Matter Baby", "Time", "Breakdown" and "He Fell Like a Soldier".
