Don't Quote Me On That
A snippit of what you and others have to say about Madness
"I didn't like the music years ago, but it grows on you, doesn't it? It's very entertaining, and that's the most important thing." Lillie Thompson, Mother of Lee.
"They used to practice in my house, and I never thought they'd be successful. I think they're very good now, and I actually enjoy listening to them." Patricia Barson, Mother of Mike.
"Words fail me." Barso.
"Probably the last great pop group to grace the British Isles. What d'ya think, Bob?" "When I left home, I remember weeping to It Must Be Love, waving goodbye to my Mum. I'm dead hard though - I didn't weep for long." Vic Reeves & Bob Mortimer, comedians.
"A lot of bands grew up in public. None did it with as much wit and charm as Madness. However briefly, it's great to have them back!" Adrian Thrills, ex-NME journalist and keen Maddie biographer.
"During the time that I produced 'Top Of The Pops', I can honestly say that I dreaded every time they came in. They were totally and utterly disorganised, and never performed on the recording as they had rehearsed. Whenever I complained, all they ever did was smile so sweetly that I had to forgive them anything. I was always annoyed that the bastards wrote such catchy and memorable songs, because i'd spend the rest of the week singing them." Michael Hurle, BBC Television producer.
"If you look beyond the Nutty Boy image, Madness were a very sussed band. Not just in the way they observed life in their songs and videos, but also in the way they responded to the political climate of the 1980's." Billy Bragg, singer - songwriter.
"I'm amazed by it all, staggered. It shows what a group of kids can do if they stick together. The way in which they created each others talents and got the best out of eachother is inspiring." John Foreman, Father of Chris.
"Madness is a loose description of people who can't handle what other people call reality any longer." Suggs 1992.
"A bunch of total chancers if I ever saw one." Jerry Dammers, ex-Specials and founder of Two-Tone Records.
"He's mad. I taught him everything I know." Cathal Smyth Snr., Father of Cathal Smyth Jnr.
"I remember spending a day with each of the Maddies in the 80's, researching 'The Madness Story' for Capital. In particular, wading through discarded props from their classic videos, with great anecdotes from Lee." Gary Crowley, GLR Radio presenter.
"I liked Madness for being the only seven cheeky cockneys I wouldn't cross the road to avoid at night." Sean Hughes, comedian.
"It all started here. They were waiting with a car to go and do 'The Prince' at 'Top Of The Pops' and Suggsy wasn't here. I had to go and get him out of bed." Alan Holt, Holt's Shoes, Camden.
"Madness were all about being very young and having fun - all lads together. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?" Flowered Up, supporting artistes.
"Would the driver of a red BMW, seen speeding out of Finchley Road filling station without paying, please step forward?" Jamie Spencer, long term Madness accomplice.
Best Of The Guests (Taken from the One Step and Beyond guest book)
My parents gave me a tape of Madness that they used to listen to and now I don't listen to anything else. They are legends. Great site.
Good to see the Nutty History alive. Long live the Las Palmas 7
Haven't i been here before? I got this weird feeling of deja vu... Anyways, Just want to say Mike, Lee and Cathal are the sexiest members of the group and It Must Be Love is the best xxx
I gotta say that I still love Madness today as much as I did all those years ago !!! I'm sitting here listening to the Total Madness CD and remembering the tunes and the times I had while listening to them. I'm glad you made this page ....GREAT WORK!!!!!!!!!!! Kevin
cheers from two of the biggest madness fans in the south!!! we're one step beyond! xxxooo lizzy & shawn
I love Madness, they're they coolest band in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the bassist is cute, but the thing that sucks is now he's about as old as my mom! Madness is just so neato torpedo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AGED 12, I bought my first L.P - One Step Beyond..., and i've never looked back. Thanks for the memories boys, keep the faith and stay nutty. MADNESS FOR EVER !!!
Madness are the greatest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could remember the 80's (for that reason only!!)
Madness are my favorite ska band of all time. I think that they deserve a lot more credit then they were given. That's what happens when you are playing in the shadows of The Specials. Madness ROCK!