The Resume

(March 24, 1949- )
Born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England, United Kingdom
Co-founder of Kippington Lodge (later Brinsley Schwarz)
Member of Noise To Go, The Cowboy Outfit and Little Village
Married to Carlene Carter (1979–mid-80s)
Songs include ‘So It Goes,’ ‘Halfway to Paradise,’ ‘Crackin’ Up,’ ‘I Love the Sound of Broken Glass,’ ‘Cruel to Be Kind,’ ‘Half a Boy and Half a Man,’ ‘I Knew the Bride,’ ‘Time Wounds All Heels’ and ‘True Love Travels on a Gravel Road’
Albums include ‘Jesus of Cool,’ ‘Pure Pop for Now People,’ ‘Labour of Lust,’ ‘Nick the Knife,’ ‘Party of One,’ ‘The Convincer’ and ‘At My Age’

Why he might be annoying:

Thanks to his rough production style, he was nicknamed ‘Basher.’
A reworked – and solo – version of ‘Cruel to Be Kind’ was his only Billboard Top 40 entry (at #12, 1979).
He tried to escape his contractual obligation to the United Artists label by writing a string of deliberately unmarketable pop singles. Though it eventually worked, one song went to the Bay City Rollers.
According to the New York Daily News, he feared ‘sticking with what you did when you were famous’ — in other words, pigeonholing.
He was a chronic boozer during the mid-80s.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was the son of a British Royal Air Force officer.
He hated lengthy songs, opting for and encouraging the return of the three-minute single.
His composition ‘What’s So Funny ’Bout Peace Love, and Understanding’ was covered by Elvis Costello and Curtis Stigers. Both versions earned him enough in royalties to set him for life.
He remained close to the Carter and Cash families after he divorced Carlene.

Credit: Cool It All Right?

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Bassists
• Cool It All Right?'s Profiles [Series 04]
• I Became a Dad in 2005
• I Performed on American Bandstand [L-Q]
• I Recorded for Stiff Records
• Johnny Cash Covered My Song
• Metacritic's 30 Best Reviewed Albums [2001] (Ranked: 20)
• Midnight Special Performers [L-Z]
• Military Brats
• Mojo's Top 10 Albums [2001] (Ranked: 8)
• My Song is on Rhino's 'No Thanks! The 70's Punk Rebellion'
• My Song Was Covered By Whitney Houston
• My Video Played on MTV's First Day [August 1, 1981] (Ranked: 62)
• New Musical Express' Top Tracks [1976] (Ranked: 5)
• New Musical Express' Top Tracks [1978] (Ranked: 18)
• Old Dads
• Onion's 10 Top Albums-Keith Phipps [2001] (Ranked: 10)
• Profiles 21501-21750 (Ranked: 21711)

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 9 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 26 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 23 Votes: 56.52% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 25 Votes: 64.00% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 27 Votes: 44.44% Annoying