The Ward Brothers

{{about|the band||Ward brothers (disambiguation){{!}}Ward brothers}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = The Ward Brothers

| image = The Ward Brothers 1986 Band.jpeg

| caption = "The Ward Brothers" as shown on the 1987 single "Why Do You Run".

| alt =

| alias =

| origin = Barnsley, England

| genre = Pop rock, new wave

| years_active = 1986–1987, 1994–1996

| label = Siren, Prestige, Virgin, A&M

| associated_acts =

| past_members = Dave Ward
Derek Ward
Graham Ward

}}

The Ward Brothers were a British pop-rock band, who scored a top 40 hit in the UK with their 1986 single "Cross That Bridge".

History

The Ward Brothers formed in Barnsley, England in 1986,Credits on Now That's What I Call Music 9 (UK edition) with vocalist and drummer Dave Ward, keyboardist Derek Ward and guitarist Graham Ward.Madness of It All album credits{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=3265627 |title=Images for Ward Brothers, The – Madness of It All |publisher=discogs |access-date=18 August 2012}} The band signed to Siren Records in 1986 and released four singles and an album.

Their debut single "Easy Prey" was not a commercial success, but the follow-up, "Cross That Bridge", broke the band into the Top 40 when it reached at No. 32 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1987.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Cross+That+Bridge|title=The Official Charts Company – Cross That Bridge by Ward Brothers Search |date=6 May 2013|publisher=The Official Charts Company}} The follow-up, "Why Do You Run?", reached No. 81 in the UK, and a final single, "I Trusted You", failed to chart. The album, Madness of It All, which was released in 1987, was produced by Mike Howlett. Don Was and Frank Filipetti produced the title track, and Was produced "Cross That Bridge".{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Ward-Brothers-Madness-Of-It-All/master/172925 |title=Ward Brothers, The – Madness of It All at Discogs |publisher=discogs |access-date=18 August 2012}}

In 1988, album's title track appeared in the episode "Love at First Sight" of the series Miami Vice.{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0647093/soundtrack|title="Miami Vice" Love at First Sight (TV Episode 1988) |website=IMDb.com}} The song also appeared in the 1986 film The American Way,{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091853/soundtrack|title=The American Way (1986) |website=IMDb.com}} and "Why Do You Run?" appeared in the 1987 film Stakeout.{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094025/soundtrack|title=Stakeout (1987) |website=IMDb.com}}

The band re-emerged in 1994 with a new album, Wave Goodbye to Grandma, which was released by the Serious Recording Company. It was re-released two years later on Prestige Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Ward-Brothers-Wave-Goodbye-To-Grandma/release/2756405 |title=Ward Brothers, The – Wave Goodbye To Grandma (CD, Album) at Discogs |publisher=discogs |access-date=18 August 2012}} The 1996 re-issue spawned one single, "Friends", which was released in the UK and the Netherlands.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Ward-Brothers-Friends/master/229015 |title=Ward Brothers, The – Friends at Discogs |publisher=discogs |access-date=18 August 2012}}