The name Peter Murphy is familiar to gothic rock fans and music lovers of the 1980s. A musician and singer who never dreamed of such a career in childhood, he became famous thanks to his work with the Bauhaus collective. Special style, unusual vocals, peculiar behavior on stage made Peter Murphy an icon of the gothic style.
In July, namely on the 11th, in 1957, the future founder of gothic rock, Peter John Murphy, was born. His hometown is Northampton in England. Unfortunately, there are practically no details about the musician's childhood or adolescence. However, it is known that Peter Murphy grew up in Wellingborough (a suburb of Northampton).
At a young age, he never seriously studied playing musical instruments, did not attend a vocal studio, practically did not show himself in any way from the creative side. However, Peter Murphy, like many teenagers, was very fond of listening to various music, gradually forming his own special taste. After school, he was fired up by punk and glam rock, idolized David Bowie. However, even at that time, in the 1970s, Peter Murphy never dreamed of becoming a world-famous musician and performer. But fate prepared a surprise for him.
Peter Murphy and Bauhaus
After high school, having completed his secondary education, Peter Murphy entered the art college and at the same time got a job at a local printing factory.
In 1978, Daniel Ash - Murphy's longtime acquaintance - and his friends formed a band that was originally called The Craze. However, the guys did not have a vocalist. Therefore, Daniel offered to take this place to Peter Murphy. For Peter himself, such a proposal was, frankly, unexpected. Before that, he never even held a microphone in his hands and did not show his talent for singing in any way. In addition to the role of the vocalist of the band, Murphy was asked to become a songwriter.
After short negotiations and hesitation, Peter Murphy nevertheless joined the ranks of the musical group. As a result, it was he who insisted that the name of the group be changed to a more unusual and sonorous one. Initially, the group was called Bauhaus 1919, but with the course of a musical career, the numbers "erased", becoming unnecessary.
It took young people about a year to develop a concept, combine several musical styles, striving to get an original sound. They were able to sign a contract with a local recording studio, the result of which was the first single Bauhaus. The disc was named "Bela Logusi’s Dead". In the classical version, it consisted of one song of the same name, which lasted almost 10 minutes. However, there were versions of the disc, where, in addition to the mentioned track, there were also 1-2 other songs. The single was released in 1979 and immediately attracted public attention. The group performed in local clubs, and the behavior, appearance of vocalist Peter Murphy already then laid the foundation for the formation of the gothic movement.
In 1981, the band's debut full-length album was released. The record was called "In the flat field". At the same time, the musicians received an invitation to take part in the filming of the film "Hunger" starring David Bowie. In the same film, the already sensational composition ‘Bela Logusi’s Dead’ sounded. The combination of the plot of the film, the appearance of the musicians, the general style gave rise to a wave of passion for the Gothic culture not only in England, but throughout the world. Already at this moment, Peter Murphy was recognized as the "Gothic icon of the modern generation."
However, in 1983, Peter Murphy fell seriously ill with pneumonia. Musical activity had to be suspended. The recovery period after the illness was not easy, Murphy was forced to refuse to participate in the recording of the next album Bauhaus, which became fatal for this band. Due to the constant quarrels and conflicts between the musicians, due to the general health of Murphy, it was decided to disband the group. Bauhaus disbanded in the middle of the summer of 1983. However, the lull was not eternal.
Peter Murphy always insisted that the band ran away too quickly and ridiculously, despite the fact that all the musicians still had something to say and show to the public. Therefore, in 1998, Bauhaus unexpectedly gathered again. And the return was triumphant. Initially, they went on tour, and then recorded a new album (live), the disc was called "Gotham". However, after such a triumph and a new studio, not a live one, Bauhaus's discs were released again into the shadows.
Another revival of the team happened in 2005. Then they recorded a full-fledged new album and made several tours around the world. But later it became clear that the team would not remain active for long.
Biography of Peter Murphy: continuation of a musical career and solo work
After the first "collapse" of Bauhaus, Peter Murphy, together with his friend Mick Karn, began to work on a new project - Dali's Car.
The group, consisting of two members and guest musicians, has recorded one full-length studio album. It was called "The Walking Hour" and went on sale in 1984. However, the record was not a success, and conflicts began to arise more and more often between Murphy and Karn. As a result, it was decided to stop joint creative activities.
In 1986, Peter Murphy released his first solo album, "Should the World Fail to Fall Apart". The compositions on the disc were very different from what the vocalist and musician had done before. He decided to move away from gothic rock and go to an alternative. However, this decision was not approved by either fans or music critics.
Murphy's second solo disc was released in 1988. The record was named "Love Hysteria". A black and white video was shot for one of the tracks from the album, which was able to get on MTV. Largely due to this, the new album was received warmer than the first work, and Murphy himself was able to feel like a famous and independent musician-vocalist.
In 1989, continuing to engage in creativity, Peter Murphy released the third disc - "Deep". This disc has proven itself well not only in Europe. The album managed to break into the American charts, while occupying quite high lines.
In the early 1990s, Peter Murphy went headlong into religion and converted to Islam. And in 1992 he left for Turkey. The same was reflected in his music, which was filled with oriental sound as much as possible. In the same 1992 Murphy released another album - "Holy Smoke", but the disc turned out to be almost a failure.
Later, Peter Murphy released a number of music CDs until the collection of Bauhaus. However, his work continued to be very coolly perceived by the public.
At one time, Peter Murphy tried to recreate Dali's Car, while receiving support from Mick. But the team was not destined to release a second album: in 2011, Mick Carn died of cancer, by that time only 4 new compositions were recorded.
In 2011, Murphy released another solo album. As part of the "Ninth" album, he returned to the gothic and punk rock sound. This allowed Peter Murphy to get more positive feedback about his work.
Family and personal life
In 1982, Peter Murphy tied the knot. His wife was a girl named Beihan, who worked as a choreographer.
The couple had two children: Adam Murphy and Hurian Murphy.
