After years of playing in various bands The Other One has, at last, been given the recognition that many feel has been long deserved.
Walking into Cleveland, Ohio’s Public auditorium last night for the 32nd annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, it was hard to believe that the contribution of one of rock’s most enduring characters has finally been recognised by his peers. Wearing a nondescript grey suit, The Other One graciously accepted the award before shuffling off stage and doing his best to disappear into the crowd.
The Other One’s first foray into music was with 60’s British instrumental group The Shadows which, in its early days, consisted of band members Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Jet Harris, and The Other One.
After leaving the Shadows in 1961, The Other One drifted from group to group before finally joining British boy band Bros in the late 1980s. This was when he finally began to be noticed by the music-buying public. So much so that even people outside of the music industry could have told you that Bros was made up of Matt Goss, his brother Luke, and The Other One.
Following the break-up of Bros, The Other One was hoping to work with English alternative rock band The Smiths. However he was to be disappointed since Smiths frontmen Morrisey and Marr were more interested in working with The Other Two.
Although primarily known for his work in music, The Other One has occasionally ventured into other areas, most notably working alongside Rik Mayall, Ade Edmondson, and Nigel Planer in the hit TV comedy series The Young Ones.
He is also a keen sportsman and on 4 August 2012 won an Olympic gold medal for something or other along with his compatriots Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah.
At the time of writing, The Other One continues to work alongside Neil Tennant in the Pet Shop Boys. He is the one without the hat.
