Another one of those odd early 80s UK sub-sub-genres, the short lived British Salsa revival. Modern Romance started off as a spin-off from 70s comedy punk band The Leighton Buzzards and had a couple of big hits namely 'Everybody Salsa' and 'Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey' (yes seriously, I'm not making this up). They then released a cover of the popular standard 'Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White' (featuring the 'trumpet stylings of John Du Prez, that's him in the Biggles outfit) before original lead singer Geoff Deane departed and the band took a more pop direction. 'Best Years Of Our Lives' was their biggest hit reaching the top 5 in 1982 before the band split in the mid-80s.
Interestingly enough, Geoff Deane wrote 'You Think You're A Man' for Divine before going on to be a TV writer and producer while John Du Prez teamed up with Eric Idle and co-wrote Spamalot. Morrissey allegedly once said of the group "There are indeed worse groups than Modern Romance. But can anyone seriously think of one?"
Bonus Clip: If you thought 'Best Years Of Our Lives' was ridiculous, take a look at 'Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White'!
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