Stan Ridgway's multifaceted and successful solo career is often overshadowed by his iconic work as the mastermind behind Wall Of Voodoo's 1980s hit "Mexican Radio." However, Ridgway's impressive range as a songwriter, film composer, and performer extends far beyond this one classic tune.
Originally conceived as a soundtrack company for low-budget sci-fi and horror films, Wall Of Voodoo formed in 1977 in Hollywood with singer-songwriter Ridgway at the helm. The band released their self-titled debut EP in 1980, followed by their first full-length LP Dark Continent. With 1982's Call of the West, featuring the ubiquitous "Mexican Radio," the band achieved major success, but Ridgway left to pursue a solo career shortly after the band's appearance at the 1983 US Festival.
Ridgway's first solo album, The Big Heat, was released in 1985 and included the underground hit "Drive, She Said," as well as "Salesman" and the title track, a brooding piece of electronic rock/film-noir. Ridgway's solo material retained Wall of Voodoo's cinematic feel, and was critically acclaimed for his one-of-a-kind vocals and lyrics.
The song "Camouflage," a ghost story of sorts that takes place in the jungles of Vietnam, was a surprise top 5 hit in Europe. Ridgway's European success continued with 1989's Mosquitos, which featured another European top 5 hit in "Calling Out to Carol," and Partyball in 1992, featuring the songs "Roadblock" and "I Wanna Be a Boss."
Ridgway's music is often referred to as "cinematic," so it's only fitting that he has been heavily involved in television and film scoring. While he has no stranger to scoring a film solo, Ridgway has also done extensive song work for films like Pump Up the Volume and Slamdance. Additionally, he has often partnered with ex-Police percussionist Stewart Copeland, most notably for work on Rumblefish, Sympatico, and Pecker.
A 1992 greatest hits package, Songs That Made This Country Great, includes the best of Ridgway's film and solo work, as well as Wall Of Voodoo material and a few rarities. Ridgway continues to work as a solo artist, in addition to continued film and television scoring.
Person Biography:
Stan Ridgway was born in 1954 in Los Angeles, California. He is a singer-songwriter, film composer, and performer. Ridgway is best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the band Wall Of Voodoo, which he formed in 1977 with his friend Marc Moreland. The band released several albums, including their self-titled debut in 1980 and Dark Continent in 1981. Ridgway left the band in 1983 to pursue a solo career, releasing his debut album The Big Heat in 1985. He has since released several solo albums, including Mosquitos in 1989 and Partyball in 1992. Ridgway has also scored music for several films and television shows, including Pump Up the Volume and Slamdance.
