Tony Mortimer
Anthony Michael "Tony" Mortimer (born 21 October 1970, Stepney, London) is a British songwriter, composer, singer and rapper.
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Career [edit]
Mortimer is a member of the 1990s, UK chart-topping boy band, East 17,[1] with who had seven Top 10 singles and four hit albums between 1992 and 1997. He turned to songwriting when the group disbanded in 1997, in the wake of fellow member Brian Harvey's controversial comments about ecstasy.[1] In 1998, Mortimer's East 17 bandmates briefly reformed the group without him, and released two singles as E17. They disbanded again the following year.[2] In 2010 it was announced that East 17 would be reforming as a 3 piece (minus former lead singer Brian Harvey) and that the band was seeking a new lead. In 2011 Blair Dreelan was announced as a new band member and the new lead singer. One single was released from the album "Recharged" before Blair left the band due to a contractual obligation not to contribute to East 17 while he was still connected with his previous musical group. The single "Secret of My Life" is still available for purchase but the album was scrapped and a newly recorded album, "Dark Light" was released in 2012 with Mortimer in place as the lead vocalist and a rock style the group say draws inspiration from artists including Bryan Adams and Kings of Leon. The group toured Europe throughout 2011 and early 2012 and in June 2012 returned to Australia for the first time in over 15 years. Two singles have been released from the Dark Light album at present , "I Can't Get You Off my Mind" and "Friday Night" with a third single "Counting Clouds" due for release in July
Mortimer has continued as a record producer since 1997, from his studio in Essex,[1] as well as recording his own songs including the single, "N Toxyc 8".
Mortimer has also managed bands, including girl band Urban Angel, whose members included Roxanne Pallett, who wrote some of the group's songs. The band broke up after Pallett won a role in ITV soap Emmerdale.[3]
Later, Tony Mortimer appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks Season 19 Episode 3. He competed in the BBC's Winter Wipeout series in March 2012 Total Wipeout (celebrity special), and finished 2nd, ahead of former Coronation Street star Steven Arnold, but behind the winner Eddie Edwards.
On December 2012 Tony appeared as a panelist on Channel 5 show The Wright Stuff.
Tony is due to release his debut solo album Songs From The Suitcase on June 17th 2013.[4].
Personal life [edit]
Mortimer's parents were of Irish origin, and he himself speaks with an Irish accent sometimes[5]. His mother was a cleaner while his father was a carpenter. He considers himself a Christian.
He has a girlfriend and two children with whom he lives at Chadwell Heath.
Awards [edit]
Ivor Novello Award – "Stay Another Day"[1]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ a b c d "Essex at 20: Tony Mortimer". BBC. 28 December 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
- ^ "60 SECONDS: Tony Mortimer". Metro. 26 May 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
- ^ Danielle Lawler (September 4, 2005). "BULLIES BEAT ME UP, SET MY HAIR ON FIRE AND CALLED ME A N***** YET". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
- ^ http://www.fodrecords.com/fod-welcomes-tony-mortimer-as-a-solo-artist/
- ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/the-interview-tony-mortimer-pop-idol-talks-to-ben-thompson-1581517.html
External links [edit]
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