Biography of Madness

Madness was a British septet formed in 1976. They gained fame in the late-'70s ska-revival along with such bands as The Specials and the Beat. Unlike those contemporaries, however, the group had a comic, pop edge that turned it into a well-loved popular singles group. Members were Graham "Suggs" McPherson, vocals; Chas Smash, backup vocals; Chris Foreman, guitar; Mike Barson, keyboards; Lee Thompson, saxophone; Mark Bedord, bass; and Dan Woodgate, drums. The first of their 13 U.K. Top Ten hits was "One Step Beyond" in 1979.Though the group's British subject matter and approach tended to preclude American success, Madness did manage one U.S. Top Ten hit, "Our House," in 1983. The group disbanded in 1986. ~ William Ruhlmann