Chris Cross

2025-05-12T12:14:19Z

2A00:23C4:4F85:9A01:5D21:B086:A3DE:5EEC: /* Death */

{{short description|English bass guitarist (1952–2024)}}
{{about|the English musician|the American rap duo|Kris Kross|the American musician|Christopher Cross}}
{{other people|Chris Cross}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Chris Cross
| image = 090430--chris cross.jpg
| caption = Cross in 2009
| image_size =
| birth_name = Christopher Thomas Allen
| alias = Chris St. John
| birth_date = {{birth date|1952|07|14|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Tottenham]], London, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|03|25|1952|07|14|df=y}}
| death_place =
| instrument = {{hlist|Bass|keyboards}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[New wave music|New wave]]|[[art rock]]|[[post-punk]]|[[synth-pop]]|[[glam rock]]}}
| occupation = Musician
| years_active = {{hlist|1973–1989|2009–2013}}
| past_member_of = {{hlist|Stoned Rose|[[Tiger Lily (UK band)|Tiger Lily]]|[[Ultravox (band)|Ultravox]]}}
}}

'''Christopher Thomas Allen''' (14 July 1952 – 25 March 2024), known professionally as '''Chris Cross''',<ref name=mclaughlin/> was an English musician, best known as the [[Bassist|bass guitarist]] in the [[New wave music|new wave]] band [[Ultravox]]. After starting his music career with Stoned Rose, a band in [[Preston, Lancashire]], he was one of the founding members of the band [[Tiger Lily (band)|Tiger Lily]] in April 1974, before the band was renamed [[Ultravox]]! over two years later. The band's most successful single, "[[Vienna (Ultravox song)|Vienna]]", was released in 1981.

Cross left Ultravox in 1989, several years after the band's studio album ''[[U-Vox]]'' was released in 1986. He rejoined the band after their revival in 2009 with a tour, and Ultravox released ''[[Brilliant (album)|Brilliant]]'', another studio album, three years later. Cross died in 2024 at the age of 71.

== Biography ==

=== Early years ===
Christopher Thomas Allen was born in [[Tottenham]], London, England, on 14 July 1952.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 April 2024 |title=Chris Cross obituary: writer of the 1981 hit single Vienna |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/chris-cross-obituary-writer-of-the-1981-hit-single-vienna-9lhxvv7c3 |access-date=8 April 2024 |work=[[The Times]] |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408133650/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/chris-cross-obituary-writer-of-the-1981-hit-single-vienna-9lhxvv7c3 |url-status=live}}</ref> He went to Belmont Secondary Modern School and William Forster Comprehensive.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=5 April 2024 |title=Chris Cross, Ultravox bassist who co-wrote their biggest hit, Vienna – obituary |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2024/04/05/chris-cross-ultravox-bassist-co-wrote-vienna-died-obituary/ |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=7 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407043754/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2024/04/05/chris-cross-ultravox-bassist-co-wrote-vienna-died-obituary/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He began his music career playing in different bands, with his major early influences being [[Small Faces]], [[Desmond Dekker]] and [[The Crazy World of Arthur Brown]].<ref name=":0" />

Later he joined Stoned Rose, in [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]], [[Lancashire]], but also decided to go to college to study psychology, a longstanding interest.<ref name=":0" />

=== Tiger Lily and Ultravox ===
After his time at college he returned to London to apply at the [[Royal College of Art]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=August |date=2 April 2024 |title=Chris Cross, Ultravox bassist and "Vienna" co-writer, dies at 71 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-04-02/chris-cross-ultravox-bassist-and-vienna-co-writer-dies-at-71 |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-date=6 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406154148/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-04-02/chris-cross-ultravox-bassist-and-vienna-co-writer-dies-at-71 |url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, after answering an advertisement, the band [[Tiger Lily (band)|Tiger Lily]] was created in 1974, with the founding members consisting of Cross (then identified as Chris St. John),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fu |first=Eddie |date=2 April 2024 |title=Chris Cross, Ultravox Bassist, Dead at 71 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/chris-cross-ultravox-bassist-dead-151436086.html |access-date=8 April 2024 |work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |publisher=[[Yahoo News]] |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408133414/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/chris-cross-ultravox-bassist-dead-151436086.html |url-status=live}}</ref> singer [[John Foxx|Dennis Leigh]], guitarist [[Stevie Shears]], drummer [[Warren Cann]], and violinist/keyboardist [[Billy Currie]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Rigotti |first=Alex |date=2 April 2024 |title=Midge Ure pays tribute to Ultravox bassist Chris Cross, who has died aged 71 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/midge-ure-pays-tribute-to-ultravox-bassist-chris-cross-who-has-died-aged-71-3612067 |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=[[NME]]|archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403065408/https://www.nme.com/news/music/midge-ure-pays-tribute-to-ultravox-bassist-chris-cross-who-has-died-aged-71-3612067 |url-status=live}}</ref> After playing gigs from 1974 to 1976, in the latter year the band renamed themselves Ultravox! and signed to [[Island Records]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ewing |first=Jerry |date=2 April 2024 |title=Ultravox bassist Chris Cross has died, aged 71 |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/ultravox-bassist-chris-cross-has-died-aged-71 |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=Louder Sound |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408021524/https://www.loudersound.com/news/ultravox-bassist-chris-cross-has-died-aged-71 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last=Reilly |first=Nick |date=2 April 2024 |title=Chris Cross: Ultravox star and 'Vienna' writer dead at 71 |url=https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/news/chris-cross-ultravox-star-and-vienna-writer-dead-at-71-38307/ |access-date=8 April 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408021527/https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/news/chris-cross-ultravox-star-and-vienna-writer-dead-at-71-38307/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1979, after three commercially unsuccessful but influential albums – ''[[Ultravox! (album)|Ultravox!]]'' (1977), ''[[Ha!-Ha!-Ha!]]'' (1977) and ''[[Systems of Romance]]'' (1978) – original vocalist John Foxx and guitarist [[Robin Simon]], who had replaced Stevie Shears a year before, left Ultravox.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2009 |title=Monumental: A history of Ultravox |url=https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/monumental-a-history-of-ultravox |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=Record Collector Magazine |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408021521/https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/monumental-a-history-of-ultravox |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=2 April 2024 |title=Ultravox star who co-wrote hit Vienna dies aged 71 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/chris-cross-ultravox-death-vienna-midge-ure-b2521937.html |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=[[The Independent]] |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404214824/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/chris-cross-ultravox-death-vienna-midge-ure-b2521937.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Midge Ure]] joined Ultravox in 1979, and the band released their commercially successful ''[[Vienna (album)|Vienna]]'' album a year later.<ref name=":2" /> By that time Cross and Ure were close friends; they together directed music videos such as [[Bananarama]]'s "[[Shy Boy]]" and "The Telephone Always Rings" by [[Fun Boy Three]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lindores |first=Mark |title=Vienna Ultravox |url=https://www.classicpopmag.com/wp-content/uploads/epub_importer/data/clap/clap_20200227_195870/ops/article_32-1.xml |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=[[Classic Pop Magazine]] |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408021522/https://www.classicpopmag.com/wp-content/uploads/epub_importer/data/clap/clap_20200227_195870/ops/article_32-1.xml |url-status=live}}</ref> The band then produced another few successful albums: ''[[Rage in Eden]]'' (1981), ''[[Quartet (Ultravox album)|Quartet]]'' (1982), ''[[Monument (Ultravox album)|Monument]]'' (1983) and ''[[Lament (Ultravox album)|Lament]]'' (1984).<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Monument – Ultravox {{!}} Album |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/monument-mw0000059368 |access-date=8 April 2024 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |archive-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527085932/https://www.allmusic.com/album/monument-mw0000059368 |url-status=live}}</ref> After ''[[U-Vox]]'', a studio album released in 1986, Cross left Ultravox in 1989 and pursued a career as a [[psychotherapist]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 September 1989 |title=Huddersfield-born star reveals band split |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/huddersfield-daily-examiner-huddersield/144993378/ |access-date=8 April 2024 |work=[[Huddersfield Daily Examiner]] |location=Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England |page=15 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408133501/https://www.newspapers.com/article/huddersfield-daily-examiner-huddersield/144993378/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Before Cross's departure, Ure had also left the band to perform as a solo artist before rejoining, but Cross noted the band "fell apart" after Ure rejoined, also stating "it was like everyone lost interest".<ref name=":0" />

=== Ultravox revival ===
[[File:Ultravox London 2013.jpg|alt=A new wave band playing at an entertainment district in London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom in 2012.|thumb|Ultravox performing at [[The O2]] in London in 2013]]
In April 2009, Ultravox embarked on the "Return to Eden" tour, which included two festivals and a ''Best of Ultravox'' CD/DVD being released by EMI.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2020 |title=Want List: The 40th Anniversary Boxed Set of God of Ultravox's "Vienna" Is Nearing Launch |url=https://postpunkmonk.com/2020/08/10/want-list-the-40th-anniversary-boxed-set-of-god-of-ultravoxs-vienna-is-nearing-launch/ |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=Post-Punk Monk |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408022725/https://postpunkmonk.com/2020/08/10/want-list-the-40th-anniversary-boxed-set-of-god-of-ultravoxs-vienna-is-nearing-launch/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=15 May 2012 |title=ULTRAVOX Brilliant |url=https://www.electricityclub.co.uk/ultravox-brilliant/ |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=Electricityclub.co.uk|archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205231918/https://www.electricityclub.co.uk/ultravox-brilliant/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2012 album release, ''[[Brilliant (album)|Brilliant]]'', included Cross as co-writer with Billy Currie and Midge Ure on all tracks.<ref name=mclaughlin>{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Charlotte |date=2 April 2024 |title=Midge Ure in tribute to 'friend' and Ultravox star Chris Cross after death at 71 |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/midge-ure-tribute-friend-ultravox-100157132.html |access-date=8 April 2024 |publisher=[[PA Media]]|via=[[Yahoo News]] |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408022725/https://au.news.yahoo.com/midge-ure-tribute-friend-ultravox-100157132.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The album was promoted with a UK theatre tour and a series of European dates.<ref name=":3" /> Ultravox made their final performance in 2013, at [[The O2]] in London.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andy |date=2 April 2024 |title="You were the glue that held the band together": Ultravox bass player and Vienna co-writer Chris Cross dies aged 71 |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/ultravox-bass-player-and-vienna-co-writer-chris-cross-dies-aged-71 |access-date=8 April 2024 |website=[[MusicRadar]] |archive-date=5 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405001116/https://www.musicradar.com/news/ultravox-bass-player-and-vienna-co-writer-chris-cross-dies-aged-71 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Death ==
Cross died on 25 March 2024, aged 71.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leo |first=Frank |date=1 April 2024 |title=Chris Cross Ultravox Death, London, Uk Musician And Bass Guitarist For Ultravox Band has died |url=https://pixelpulsepost.com/2024/04/01/chris-cross-ultravox-death-london-uk-musician-and-bass-guitarist-for-ultravox-band-has-died/ |access-date=1 April 2024 |website=pixelpulsepost.com|archive-date=1 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401224612/https://pixelpulsepost.com/2024/04/01/chris-cross-ultravox-death-london-uk-musician-and-bass-guitarist-for-ultravox-band-has-died/ |url-status=live}}</ref> His death was announced by Midge Ure.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Discogs artist|Chris Cross}}
* {{IMDb name|0189130}}

{{Ultravox}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cross, Chris}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Tottenham]]
[[Category:English synth-pop new wave musicians]]
[[Category:English rock bass guitarists]]
[[Category:Glam rock musicians]]
[[Category:Musicians from the London Borough of Haringey]]
[[Category:Ultravox members]]

Vero - Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Chris Cross