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Paul Hardcastle
English musician and radio presenter
English musician and radio presenter
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Paul Hardcastle |
| background | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| birth_name | Paul Louis Hardcastle |
| alias | Deff Boyz |
| birth_date | |
| origin | Kensington, London, England |
| genre | Synth-pop, freestyle, electronic, ambient, electro house, breakstep, smooth jazz, new age |
| occupation | |
| instrument | Synthesizer, keyboards, piano, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, programming |
| years_active | 1981–present |
| label | Chrysalis, Motown, V2, Profile, Trippin 'N' Rhythm |
| associated_acts | Direct Drive, First Light, Dance Aid, Carol Kenyon, Helen Rogers, Jaki Graham |
| website |
Paul Louis Hardcastle (born 10 December 1957) is an English composer, musician, record producer, songwriter, radio presenter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his song "19", which went to number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1985.
Early life
Born in Kensington, London, England, on 10 December 1957, Hardcastle is the son of Joyce (née Everett, 1930–1991) and Louis Hardcastle (1915–2000).
Career
Hardcastle began his career in 1981 when he became the keyboard player for British soul band Direct Drive. In 1982, Hardcastle and lead vocalist Derek Green left the band to form a duo under the name First Light. They achieved some minor success in the UK chart, but the project was abandoned after two years and Hardcastle pursued a solo career.
Hardcastle achieved some success with his early singles, including the 1984 electro-funk/freestyle/instrumental track, "Rain Forest", which along with the track "Sound Chaser", reached number two on the dance chart. "Rain Forest" also hit number five on the soul chart and number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rain Forest, the album both tracks were released on, was nominated for Best R&B Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group or Soloist) in the 28th Annual Grammy Awards. Musician by Ernie Watts would win the award that year.
Hardcastle is best known for the 1985 single "19", which went to No. 1 in the UK (for five weeks), as well as several other countries worldwide. It also reached number 15 in the U.S. Pop chart and number 1 in the U.S. Dance chart. The song received the Ivor Novello Award for Best-selling single of 1985. The follow-up single to "19" was "Just for Money", which reached No. 19 in the UK. It also charted in several other European countries.
In 1986, Hardcastle released a remix to "One Wish" by Hiroshima. In the same year, Hardcastle's "The Wizard" was adopted as the theme tune for the BBC's Top of the Pops weekly chart show. The theme tune was used from 3 April 1986 to 26 September 1991.
The song "Don't Waste My Time" became Hardcastle's second UK top ten in March 1986. It featured singer Carol Kenyon, a backing vocalist of Heaven 17. In late 1986, Hardcastle collaborated with the supergroup Disco Aid (later rebranded as Dance Aid in 1987) co-producing the charity single "Give Give Give".
In 1989, Hardcastle resumed working on First Light, collaborating with vocalist Kevin Henry, whom he had worked with on previous recordings.
Using his alias Deff Boyz, Hardcastle released the single "Swing" in 1990. It reached number 84 on the UK chart, number 27 in Germany, and number 18 in the US Dance chart.
Since the 1990s, Hardcastle has recorded several synth jazz albums, alternating releases under the pseudonyms Kiss the Sky (with Jaki Graham) and the Jazzmasters, as well as under his real name.
Personal life
Hardcastle married Dolores Baker in 1985. They have three children, including British DJ and saxophonist Paul Hardcastle Jr. and singer Maxine Hardcastle, who both contributed vocals to Hardcastle's Transcontinental, a 2011 collection of new music recorded with Ryan Farish.
On 13 January 2026, Hardcastle announced the death of his son, Paul Hardcastle Jr., aged 35, in a road accident.
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label | Peak chart positions | Certifications | UK | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | ||||||||
| US R&B | ||||||||
| US Jazz | ||||||||
| 1985 | Zero One | |||||||
| (with Universal Funk) | Bluebird/10 Records, EMI Music | — | — | — | — | |||
| Rain Forest | Profile Records | — | 63 | 30 | — | |||
| Paul Hardcastle | Chrysalis Records | 53 | — | — | — | |||
| 1988 | No Winners | — | — | — | — | |||
| 1989 | Sound Syndicate | |||||||
| (also known as Are You Ready...) | AJK Music, K-Tel International | — | — | — | — | |||
| 1993 | Time for Love | Fast Forward Records, JVC | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994 | Feel the Breeze | JVC | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996 | Look to the Future | — | — | — | — | |||
| 1996 | Star of the Story | — | — | — | — | |||
| 1997 | First Light | Connoisseur Collection | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009 | Zer01 | Hardcastle Music | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012 | Perceptions of Pacha VIII | |||||||
| (remixed by Nacho Marco) | Pacha Recordings | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2012 | 19 Below Zero | Hardcastle Music, Universal Music | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014 | Moovin & Groovin | Trippin 'N' Rythmn Records | — | — | — | 7 | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
Smooth jazz albums
Hardcastle series
| Year | Title | Label | Peak chart positions | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B | ||||||
| US Jazz | ||||||
| 1994 | Hardcastle | Hardcastle Records, JVC, Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | 182 | 35 | 2 | |
| 1996 | Hardcastle II | — | — | 7 | ||
| 2002 | Hardcastle III | Hardcastle Records, Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | — | — | 9 | |
| 2005 | Hardcastle 4 | — | — | 2 | ||
| 2008 | Hardcastle 5 | Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | 176 | — | 5 | |
| 2011 | Hardcastle VI | — | — | 4 | ||
| 2013 | Hardcastle VII | — | — | 3 | ||
| 2018 | Hardcastle VIII | — | — | 6 | ||
| 2020 | Hardcastle IX | — | — | 17 | ||
| 2022 | Hardcastle X | — | — | 14 | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Jazzmasters series
| Year | Title | Label | US Jazz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Jazzmasters | Fast Forward Records, Hardcastle Records, JVC, Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | 16 |
| 1995 | The Jazzmasters II | Hardcastle Records, JVC, Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | — |
| 1999 | The Jazzmasters III | Hardcastle Records, Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | 5 |
| 2004 | The Jazzmasters 4 | — | |
| 2006 | Jazzmasters V | — | |
| 2010 | Jazzmasters VI | Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | — |
| 2014 | Jazzmasters VII | 1 | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Chill Lounge series
| Year | Title | Label | US Jazz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Chill Lounge, Volume 1 | Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | 12 |
| 2013 | The Chill Lounge, Volume 2 | 10 | |
| 2015 | The Chill Lounge, Volume 3 | 11 |
Kiss the Sky with [[Jaki Graham]]
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Kiss the Sky | JVC, Motown Records |
| 1994 | Millennium Skyway | |
| (also known as Kiss the Sky II) | Hardcastle Records, JVC |
Transcontinental with [[Ryan Farish]]
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Transcontinental (six-song EP) | Rytone Entertainment |
Compilations
| Year | Title | Label | US Jazz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Definitive Paul Hardcastle | Connoisseur Collection | — |
| 1996 | The Very Best (The Gold Collection) | EMI Music | — |
| 1997 | P.H. (Paul Hardcastle Works) | JVC | — |
| 1997 | Cover to Cover: A Musical Autobiography | Hardcastle Records, JVC, Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | 12 |
| 2000 | Jazzmasters: The Greatest Hits | Hardcastle Records, Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | 5 |
| 2003 | The Very Best of Paul Hardcastle 1983–2003 | Jazz FM Records | — |
| 2004 | Jazzmasters: The Smooth Cuts | Hardcastle Records, Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | 17 |
| 2009 | Paul Hardcastle: The Collection | Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | 8 |
| 2011 | Desire: The Ultimate Seductive Album | Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | 6 |
| 2013 | Electrofied 80s: Essential Paul Hardcastle | Music Club Deluxe (division of Demon Records) | — |
| 2015 | 19: The 30th Anniversary Mixes | Nusic Sounds, Caroline International | — |
| 2016 | The History of Paul Hardcastle 1984–2016 | Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records | — |
| 2023 | Nineteen and Beyond: 1984–1988 | Chrysalis Records | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | UK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Dance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Jazz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US R&B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IRE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWI | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NOR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NLD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ATR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ITL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NZ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You're the One for Me / Daybreak / A.M." | "Guilty" | "Eat Your Heart Out" | "King Tut" | "Rain Forest" | "19" | "19 (German Version)" | "Just for Money" | "Don't Waste My Time" | "Foolin' Yourself" | "The Wizard" | "Walk in the Night" | "40 Years" | "Are You Ready" | "Galaxy of Love" | "Serene" | "Marimba" | "Lucky Star" | "The Circle" | "Rain Forest" / "What's Going On" | "Easy Come, Easy Go" | "No Stress (At All)" | "Easy Street" | "Unlimited Love, Pt. 1" | "Rhythm of Life" | "Echoes Rising" | "Cut Loose" | "Amber Skies" | "Happy Go Lucky" | "Dancing Galaxies" | "Latitude" | "Welcome to the Beach" | "Tropicool" | "Wavelength" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1984 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Definitive Paul Hardcastle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 53 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 59 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rain Forest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | 10 | — | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1985 | 41 | 57 | 2 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 15 | 1 | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 1 | Paul Hardcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 27 | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1986 | 8 | — | 31 | — | 65 | 15 | 9 | — | 15 | 12 | — | — | — | — | 66 | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 51 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Definitive Paul Hardcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | 51 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No Winners | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 53 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989 | 90 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sound Syndicate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hardcastle IV | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hardcastle V | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hardcastle VI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hardcastle VII | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Moovin & Groovin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Jazzmasters VII | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The History of Paul Hardcastle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hardcastle VIII | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hardcastle IX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hardcastle X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Unreleased promotional tracks
This is a list of several unreleased tracks that were made by Paul Hardcastle that were originally intended to have been used to promote the Lego Bionicle toyline in 2001.
These tracks were originally meant to have been included with the Bionicle Power Pack CD package that was later released in the same year.
| Title | Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bionic Age (also referred to as the Bionicle Age) | 2001 | Extreme Global Hardcore | Warner Chappell Music (division of Warner Music Group) |
| Killing Machines (also known as the original full version of The Bionicle Music track that was cut following the final release of the CD & later uses in commercials for the toyline) | 2001 | Extreme Global Hardcore | Warner Chappell Music (division of Warner Music Group) |
References
References
- Sexton, Paul. (1993). "The Definitive Paul Hardcastle". Connoisseur Collection.
- "Birth of Paul Louis Hardcastle", England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916–2005
- (24 September 2014). "Top of the Pops 2: Where Are They Now? - Paul Hardcastle".
- "Paul Hardcastle - Artist Biography". [[AllMusic]].
- Whitburn, Joel. (2004). "Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003". Record Research.
- Whitburn, Joel. (2004). "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004". Record Research.
- "Paul Hardcastle".
- "Ernie Watts".
- (November 15, 2010). "The Virgin Book of British Hit Singles, Volume 2". Random House.
- "NUA - Paul Hardcastle Biography".
- "Paul Hardcastle - full Official Chart History".
- (May 10, 1986). "Dance Trax".
- (1987). "Disco Aid is Back". Napfield Limited.
- (1990). "Blues & Soul, Issues 552-563". Napfield Limited.
- "DEFF BOYZ AND TONY MAC songs and albums - full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company.
- "Deff Boyz - Songs".
- "Dance Club Songs".
- "Marriage of Paul Louis Hardcastle and Dolores Baker", England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916–2005
- (2026-01-13). "Musician Paul Hardcastle’s son, 35, dies in tragic motorcycle accident".
- "Chart History - Paul Hardcastle: Billboard 200".
- "Chart History - Paul Hardcastle: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums".
- "Chart History - Paul Hardcastle: Jazz Albums".
- "Zero One – Paul Hardcastle – Releases – AllMusic".
- "Paul Hardcastle - Paul Hardcastle (album)".
- "Time for Love".
- (2009-12-08). "The holidays are coming and so is Jazzmasters 6 – Paul Hardcastle".
- "Transcontinental - EP by Paul Hardcastle & Ryan Farish".
- "Cover to Cover – Paul Hardcastle – Releases – AllMusic".
- "Jazzmasters: the Smooth Cuts – Paul Hardcastle – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic".
- "The Collection - Paul Hardcastle | Songs, Reviews, Credits".
- "Desire – Paul Hardcastle – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic".
- "Nineteen And Beyond: Paul Hardcastle 1984–1988". [[Chrysalis Records]].
- Roberts, David. (2006). "British Hit Singles & Albums". Guinness World Records Limited.
- "Paul Hardcastle Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography".
- "Chart History: Paul Hardcastle - SMOOTH JAZZ SONGS".
- Kent, David. (1993). "Australian Chart Book 1970–1992". Australian Chart Book.
- "Paul Hardcastle - 19".
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