ADAM AND THE ANTS, JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978

Adam and the Ants were an English rock band that formed in London in 1977. The band existed in two versions, both fronted by Adam Ant, between 1977 and 1982.[1] The first phase began when the band were founded in May 1977 and were called the Ants until November of that year. They later changed their style from punk rock to post-punk and new wave and released one album. The final line-up of this version consisted of Dave Barbarossa, Matthew Ashman, and Leigh Gorman—all of whom left the band in January 1980 at the suggestion of manager Malcolm McLaren to form Bow Wow Wow.[2][3]

Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants in 1981
Adam and the Ants in 1981
Background information
Origin
London, England
Genres
New wavepost-punkpunk rockalternative rock
Years active
1977–1982
Labels
CBSDo ItDecca
Past members
Adam Ant
Andy Warren
Paul Flanagan
Lester Square
Mark Ryan
David Barbarossa
Jordan
Johnny Bivouac
Matthew Ashman
Leigh Gorman
Chris "Merrick" Hughes
Terry Lee Miall
Marco Pirroni
Kevin Mooney
Gary Tibbs
Website
adam-ant.net
The second version of Adam and the Ants included guitarist Marco Pirroni and drummer-and-producer Chris Hughes and was noted for its use of Burundi drums. This band existed from February 1980 to March 1982 and achieved significant commercial success in the UK.[4] With their music videos receiving airplay on MTV and Ant appearing as a guest VJ on the station, they are associated in the United States with the Second British Invasion.