Biography of Dead or Alive

Part of Britain's Hi-NRG scene of the early '80s, Pete Burns' Dead or Alive made several successful singles at the height of their career. With Burns' deep, campy baritone providing a focal point, the rest of the group wasn't there for much of anything besides decoration, since the group relied on the cross-dressing Burns for its songs and style. In 1984, Dead or Alive hit their peak with the "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" single from Sophisticated Boom Boom and the following album, "Youthquake." After that the group's popularity nosedived, even with the help of the Stock, Aitken & Waterman production team. Dead or Alive disappeared after the 1989 bomb, Nude. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine