7 amazing facts about soft rock legends 10cc
10cc were one of the most fascinating and popular groups of the 1970s, and they scored several huge (and eclectic) hits. Here's all the big facts every fan should know...
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1. 10cc members: Who were the founding members?
The band's classic lineup consisted of: Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme. 10cc had two songwriting teams, one "commercial" (Stewart, Gouldman) and one "artistic" (Godley, Creme). It was almost as if the band was actually two duos recording together.
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2. How did 10cc get its name?
Producer Jonathan King came up with the name 10cc, after signing them up. King said he chose the name after having a dream in which he was standing in front of the Hammersmith Odeon in London, where the header read '10cc The Best Band in the World'. It has been claimed by some, that the name referred to a certain male bodily function, but this urban myth has been debunked by the band on various occasions.
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3. What is 'I'm Not in Love' about?
Written by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman, Stewart came up with the idea for 10cc's most famous song after his wife of eight years asked him why he didn't say "I love you" more often. At first, Godley and Creme weren't fond of it, and it wasn't until they heard staff members humming the tune that they gave it another shot. Stewart spent three weeks recording Gouldman, Godley and Creme singing "ahhh" 16 times for each note, creating a 'choir' of 48 voices for each note.
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4. What is 'Dreadlock Holiday' about?
10cc's reggae-tinged number one single was based on real events Eric Stewart and Moody Blues singer Justin Hayward experienced in Barbados. However, Stewart changed the location to Jamaica. Graham Gouldman said: "Some of the experiences that are mentioned are true, and some of them are ... fairly true!"
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5. How many albums have 10cc released?
10cc have released 11 albums between 1973 and 1995. Their most successful albums include 'Deceptive Bends', 'The Original Soundtrack' and 'Bloody Tourists'.
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6. When did 10cc split?
After frictions emerged between the two songwriting duos, Godley and Creme departed in 1976 to form a separate group. 10cc continued with new members on and off ever since. The original lineup reunited for the 1992 album 'Meanwhile...'. After a 1995 tour, Stewart said: "10cc is well and truly finished as far as I am concerned."
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7. Who is the current 10cc lineup?
Graham Gouldman is the only original member still in 10cc. He is joined by: Paul Burgess (drums), Rick Fenn (guitar, vocals), and Mike Stephens (keyboards, vocals).
