Madness is a British ska and pop band formed in 1976 in North London, widely regarded as one of the key acts of the so-called 2 Tone and ska revival movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original lineup features Suggs (vocals), Chris Foreman (guitar), Mike Barson (keyboards), Lee Thompson (saxophone), Daniel Woodgate (drums), Mark Bedford (bass), and Chas Smash (trumpet, vocals). The band is known for its energetic, humor-infused performances, socially conscious lyrics, and melodic blend of ska, pop, and new wave sounds.
Their first major success came in 1979 with the album One Step Beyond…, whose title track became their signature song, along with hits like My Girl and Night Boat to Cairo. In the 1980s, they followed up with albums such as Absolutely (1980), 7 (1981), and The Rise & Fall (1982), producing classics like Baggy Trousers, It Must Be Love (a cover of Labi Siffre), and Our House – the latter becoming a global hit that opened the door to the American market.
After disbanding in 1986, the members pursued solo projects, but reunited in 1992 for the Madstock! concert, which sparked a permanent return. Since then, they have released several albums, including Wonderful (1999), The Liberty of Norton Folgate (2009), and Can’t Touch Us Now (2016), remaining a staple of the British music scene.
In 2023, they celebrated over four decades of activity with the album Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie, which received critical acclaim and reached the top of the UK charts.
