Spike Dawbarn

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Spike Dawbarn

| image = 911 live at the SECC.jpg

| image_upright = 1.15

| caption = Dawbarn (right) performing live with 911 in Glasgow on 7 May 2013.

| background = solo_singer

| birth_name = Simon James Dawbarn

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|8|5|df=y}}

| origin = Warrington, England

| occupation = Singer, dancer

| genre = Pop, dance-pop

| years_active = 1988–present

| instrument = Vocals

| associated_acts = 911, B*Witched

}}

Simon James "Spike" Dawbarn (born 5 August 1974) is an English singer and dancer. He was a member of the boy band 911, who were originally active between 1995 and 2000 and had ten consecutive top 10 hits before splitting up in 2000. In 2012, 911 reformed for the ITV2 documentary series The Big Reunion, along with other bands from their time including Five, B*Witched and Atomic Kitten.

Biography

=Early life=

Spike Dawbarn was born in Warrington, Cheshire. His secondary education was at Beamont Collegiate Academy.

=''The Hit Man and Her'' and 911=

After being spotted by music producer Pete Waterman,{{Cite web|url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/24760122.orfords-911-boyband-star-spike-dawbarn-speaks-new-bbc-doc/|title="Being in 911 was the biggest party for 8 years but biggest hangover when it ended"|last=Barnes|first=Jessica|date=30 November 2024|website=Warrington Guardian}} Dawbarn went on to become a dancer on the ITV late night dance show The Hit Man and Her. In this role he worked alongside Jimmy Constable and future Take That member Jason Orange.{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/review-911-ritz-manchester-6883256|title=Review: 911 at The Ritz Manchester|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Katie|date=27 March 2016|work=Manchester Evening News|publisher=Trinity Mirror|accessdate=3 March 2016}} In 1995, Dawbarn and Constable formed a partnership and teamed up with frontman Lee Brennan to form 911. Their first hit got to number 38 on the UK Singles Chart. Dawbarn choreographed a number of the band's dance routines.

=PopSkool and after=

Since 911's split in February 2000, Dawbarn has made a career joining the other band members in reunion tours. He was also director of a pop academy youth programme, PopSkool. PopSkool started in his home town of Warrington and has spread across the UK. It taught afternoon programmes in modern dance and vocal training to children between the ages of eight and sixteen. Dawbarn provided choreographic expertise and voice coaching is provided by Brennan.{{cite news |date=2005-12-05 |title=Please sir, weren't you in a boy band? |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music/please-sir-werent-you-in-a-boy-1094531 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}

Dawbarn had several 911 reunions for touring and TV appearances, including in 2008,{{Cite web |date=2013-10-05 |title=911 singer Jimmy Constable saved from depression by love of St Neots woman - Latest News - Hunts Post |url=https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/latest-news/911_singer_jimmy_constable_saved_from_depression_by_love_of_st_neots_woman_1_2596773/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005081327/https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/latest-news/911_singer_jimmy_constable_saved_from_depression_by_love_of_st_neots_woman_1_2596773/ |archive-date=2013-10-05 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=huntspost.co.uk}} 2012{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=Joanna |date=2012-10-18 |title=It's pop music heaven - Atomic Kitten, 5ive, Liberty X, 911 all to reunite for new TV show |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/atomic-kitten-5ive-liberty-x-1385345 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=Daily Mirror |language=en}} and 2019.{{Cite web |date=2019-06-20 |title=911 reveals reason for holding a concert in Malaysia after nearly 2 decades |url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/911-reveals-reason-holding-concert-063000390.html |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=uk.movies.yahoo.com |language=en-GB}}

On 15 October 2009, Dawbarn appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks{{'}}s identity parade round.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Personal life

Dawbarn has three sons, Phoenix, Teddy and Neo.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-11 |title=Warrington 911 star Spike shows he's still got it, aged 46, with back flip at first gig since pandemic |last=Morgan |first=David |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/19366005.warrington-911-star-spike-first-gig-since-covid/ |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Warrington Guardian |language=en}} His niece Lexy Dawbarn performed on stage with Justin Bieber and was on ITV1's Little Big Shots.

He is a fan of Manchester United.{{Cite web |date=2005-12-22 |title=Simon Dawbarn, aka Spike |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5336142.simon-dawbarn-aka-spike/ |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Warrington Guardian |language=en}}