Sal Solo
{{BLP sources|date=November 2013}}
{{use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{use British English|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Sal Solo
| image = Lyceum-Classix-Nouveau3.jpg
| caption = Sal Solo on stage with Classix Nouveaux at the Lyceum Theatre, London. 12 October 1980
| image_size =
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Christopher Scott Stevens
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1961|9|5}}
|birth_place =Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| origin = London, England
| instrument = Vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer
| years_active = 1978–present
| label =
| associated_acts = The News, Classix Nouveaux, Rockets
| website = {{URL|http://www.salsolo.com}}
}}
Sal Solo (born Christopher Scott Stevens; b. 5 September 1961 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England) is an English singer.
Career
Solo began his career with a band called The News, which released one 7" single on GTO Records.{{cite web|url=http://gosc.pl/doc/808919.Czlowiek-od-zbierania-smieci|website=gosc.pl|title=Człowiek od zbierania śmieci|first=Andrzej|last=Urbański|date=6 July 2006|accessdate=23 June 2020|lang=pl}} Then he formed the pop group Classix Nouveaux, with former members of X-Ray Spex, which became associated with the burgeoning New Romantic movement.{{citation|work=The Boston Globe|first=Jim|last=Sullivan|title=Classy Sounds in the Latest English Style; Classix Nouveaux – in Concert at the Paradise Theater Without the Missing; Persons, Friday"|date=August 1981|page=1}} They released three albums with EMI Records. Classix Nouveaux had number one hits in Poland, Portugal, Israel, Iceland and other countries in the early 1980s. They also had one top 20 and various other top 50 hits in the United Kingdom, including "Is It a Dream", which reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart. The band split in 1985. Between 1984 and 1992, he provided lead vocals for the French space rock group Rockets.
Following a pilgrimage to San Damiano in Italy, Solo embraced the Roman Catholic faith of his childhood. He had a solo hit with "San Damiano (Heart and Soul)" which reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart, and went to No. 1 in Poland. The song has since been recorded by several artists, including Aled Jones for his 2003 album Higher, which remained on the UK Albums Chart top 40 for several weeks, and earned a silver disc.
In 1987, Solo became active in youth ministry in the Catholic Church in the UK. During this time, he continued to write and perform new music. In the early 1990s, he released three albums of Christian music through the Christian record label, Word Records, followed by several more released independently.{{citation|work=Chicago Sun-Times|first=Jessica|last=Royer|title=Musician Debuts Mass in Bolingbrook|date=25 June 1999}} In 1999, he moved to Chicago, where he works with Catholic teenagers in the United States and other parts of the world, speaking on matters of faith and justice, and giving concerts and youth retreats.{{cn|date=May 2024}}
Discography
Albums
- 1981: Classix Nouveaux: Night People (Liberty/EMI)
- 1982: Classix Nouveaux: La Verité (Liberty/EMI)
- 1983: Classix Nouveaux: Secret (Liberty/EMI)
- 1983: Hazan (Nazia Hassan) Dreamer Devane (EMI) (as producer)
- 1983: Hazan (Nazia Hassan) Destiny (EMI) (as producer)
- 1983: Hazan (Nazia Hassan) Get a little closer (remix producer)
- 1984: Rockets: Imperception (CGD)
- 1985: Sal Solo: Heart & Soul (MCA)
- 1985: Roketz: One Way (CGD)
- 1991: Sal Solo: Look at Christ (Word UK)
- 1992: Rockets: Another Future (Polydor)
- 1994: Sal Solo: Through Ancient Eyes (Word UK)
- 1996: Sal Solo: Born to Die ( (Word UK)
- 1997: Classix Nouveaux: The Very Best of Classix Nouveaux (EMI UK)
- 1998: Sal Solo: Live! (ACTS)
- 1999: Sal Solo: Anno Domini (ACTS)
- 1999: Sal Solo: Pilgrimage – The Gospel Best of Sal Solo (ACTS)
- 2001: Sal Solo: I Worship (ACTS)
- 2001: Sal Solo: Anno Domini (Espańol) (De La Raiz)
- 2003: Sal Solo: NeoSacro (Espańol) (De La Raiz)
- 2005: Sal Solo: Yes! Best of Studio and Live (ACTS)
- 2005: Sal Solo: Teen Mass for the Millennium (ACTS)
- 2009: Sal Solo: We Cry Justice! (Heart Beat)
- 2012: Mathias Michael: I Believe (The Buzz) (as producer)
- 2012: Various Artists: NCYC'S Top Talent Volume One (The Buzz) (as producer)
- 2013: Fusion: "Undiscovered" (The Buzz) (as producer)
- 2013: Sal Solo: Acts of Worship (Heart Beat)
- 2020: SIJ10 (The Buzz) (as writer and producer)
- 2021: Classix Nouveaux: "Inside Outside 2021" (ESP) (single)
- 2022: Classix Nouveaux: "Fix your eyes up" (single)
References
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Category:English Roman Catholics
Category:Entertainers from Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Category:English new wave musicians
Category:Musicians from Hertfordshire
Category:British male new wave singers