Paul Hardcastle

Paul Louis Hardcastle (born 10 December 1957) is a British composer, musician, producer, songwriter, radio presenter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his song "19", which went to number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in 1985.
Hardcastle began his career in 1981 when he became the keyboard player for British soul band Direct Drive. In 1982, Hardcastle and lead vocalist Derek Green left the band to form a duo under the name First Light. They achieved some minor success in the UK charts, but the project was abandoned after two years and Hardcastle pursued a solo career.
==Links to Peel==
Peel played some of First Light's songs on his radio programmes between 1982 and 1983. However, he didn't seem to play much of Paul Hardcastle's solo material, except a Japanese mix of his hit single, '19', on his 26 August 1985 show, which Billy Bragg gave him, after coming back from Japan on a tour,
Top of the Pops changed its signature tune from Yellow Pearl to The Wizard, written and performed by Paul Hardcastle in 1986. On the Top Of The Pops - The Story Of 1986 TV documentary, Janice Long mentioned that TOTP's producer, Michael Hurll's choice was influenced "by the likes of myself and Peelie....really picking up on the dance scene". The theme was used for the first time on the 03 April 1986 show which was hosted by Long and Peel.
Peel hosted some episodes of Top Of The Pops between 1985 and 1986 which featured Paul Hardcastle appearing on the programme.
==Shows Played==
;thumb|220x220pxFirst Light
*29 November 1982: I Don't Care (12" - 16 Minutes Of 1st Light) Oval 
*03 January 1983: Time Machine (album - 1st Light) Metronome 
;Paul Hardcastle
*26 August 1985: '19 (Extended Japanese Mix) (12")' (Chrysalis)
;TOTP
*09 May 1985 (TOTP): 19 (number 1 in the chart)
*25 December 1985 (TOTP): 19 (remix - video clip)
*03 April 1986 (TOTP): Interview (This was the first show that used Paul Hardcastle's "The Wizard" as the the theme tune / chart countdown music.)
==See Also==
*UK Singles Chart Number Ones
==External Links==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
*Official Website
Category:Artists