Jerome with his brother, Daniel and sister, Kerry used to
spend hours singing along with Beatle's records, favourites of Fern and Eric.
Jerome had other favourites too, he liked Elvis, Ella Fitzgerald, Sam Cooke, The
Drifters and Frank Sinatra. In 1979 Jerome was auditioned for the job as lead
singer with a band named System X, his first performance was at Sevenoaks
School, then his second and last performance was at Ide Hill Cricket club dance,
Jerome began to sing the Strangler's song No More Heroes but unfortunately,
the audience were elderly and started to boo, the music was not quite what they
had in mind!
The big music break came, ultimately,
with his Soldier, Soldier co-star Robson Green. An episode of the show
had involved their characters singing Unchained Melody - and their act
had seemed so good that many fans of Soldier Soldier had bombarded the
television studio asking if the song would be released as a single.
The news reached the giant RCA (Recording Company of America)
and their representative Simon Cowell was put in charge of seeking out the boys
to put the record idea to them. He eventually tracked down Kate Feast, Robson
and Jerome's theatrical agent who told him that Robson nor Jerome were interested
in making a record. Simon told Kate that the song could make Christmas Number
one, but the message was clear - "you haven't got a cat in hell's chance of getting
them to change their minds."
Simon
then decided to speak with Robson's Mum, Anne, asking her to talk to her son.
Eventually Simon's persistence paid off and Robson rang the RCA office in Fulham
and told the record producer firmly that he was an actor, not a singer and would
rather not be put in a position where he would have to appear on Top of the Pops.
Simon told Robson how much he was prepared to offer, Robson replied "That's a
lot of money."
Jerome with Simon Cowell, Robson Green and Hugh Goldsmith
Robson and Simon spoke on the telephone
and Robson explained that he would make the record only if Jerome agreed. Jerome,
at this time was on a pilgrimage in the mountains and the only contact he had
was a fax machine. Robson had his number. Robson and Jerome met Simon at the RCA
offices. Robson was leaping around all over the place and Jerome was jet lagged.
Simon suggested that they record Unchained Melody and follow it up with
an album later in the year. They agreed to sign up.
The
record was released in the UK on the 8th May 1995 - where it reached No.1 in the
charts and stayed there for 7 weeks. The sales topped 1.39 million and Robson
& Jerome presented a cheque to Greenpeace for £18,000 worth of royalties from
initial sales of Unchained Melody. In total, royalties amounting to £27,000 were
finally donated to Greenpeace by the lads.
The duo's recording carreer continued with the following hit singles, albums
and videos....
30/10/95: I Believe / Up on the Roof released. UK sales
887,000 - No1 for 4 weeks.
13/11/95: Album Robson & Jerome released. UK sales 1.84
million - No 1 for 7 weeks.
1995 was certainly Robson & Jerome's year, and, with the final frenzy of sales
for the festive season, they continued to storm all milestones in sight! The latest
in their string of astounding statistics came the week before Christmas when they
overtook Oasis to claim the biggest-selling album of the year.
The singles haven't done too badly, either! Robson & Jerome
have sold more singles in one year than any other artist (the previous record
was held by Madonna in 1995). Simon Cowell, the person who signed the lads to
record with RCA, dismisses the hostility that Robson & Jerome have received
from elements of the music media. "I would say the criticism they have received
for their music is based on ignorance and musical snobbery. Their knowledge of
music is fantastic and they came up with some great choices of tracks. I would
also say that they have surprised themselves on this as to how well they can sing!"
Not
surprisingly Simon hopes to be working with Robson & Jerome for years to come.
"They can be just as successful for as long as they want" he believes.
But its not just the financial success that appeals - "They are the nicest
people I've ever worked with". Perhaps that statement alone explains the
biggest pop phenomenon of 1995.
RCA sales manager Steve Reeves who reported
first week's sales figures of 310,000 told the music press that the market had
gone berserk. This was followed by 460,000 copies in the second week and 320,000
in the third which meant the single had already become a million seller and Robson
and Jerome had won three platinum awards.
Video
So Far, So Good released. UK sales 386,000 - No 1 for 1 week.
28/10/96: What becomes of the Broken-hearted / Saturday Night
at the Movies / You'll Never Walk Alone released UK sales 1.13 million
- No 1 for 2 weeks.
11/11/96: Album Robson & Jerome Take Two released.
UK sales 1.13million - No 1 for 2 weeks.
In
1997 Video Joking Apart released UK sales 248,000. Reached No 2 in the
charts and won best music video in the Video home Entertainment Awards of Excellence.
Fans Concert, 1996
It was the 23rd July 1996 that a small audience of local
fans were invited to their concert at the Live Theatre, Newcastle. This rare opportunity
to see Robson & Jerome singing live was set up to generate exclusive material
for the video "Robson & Jerome Joking Apart."
Lights, Dancers,
backing singers, musicians, excited fans…everything was in place for the concert.
Space was strictly limited and the hand-picked audience of 95 was selected entirely
from the Fan Club's list of members in the Newcastle area, and what a night they
had! After a warm-up from the all-girl group "The Shrinking Violets", the fans
were treated to preview performances of five songs, including their new single
- the spectacular Motown number "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted".
The concert opened with "The Price of Love" and also included
the Gene Pitney classic "Something's Gotton Hold of My Heart" in which
Jerome & Robson captured the melting hearts of the audience. They playfully transformed
the song "Eleanor" which had originally been a hit for "The Turtles" in
the 60's, and in doing so created a memorable moment for Lizzie Story, a fan from
Hexham. In the absence of anyone called Eleanor in the crowd, Lizzie was selected
to play the role and as well as being serenaded by Jerome & Robson, was showered
with confetti and presented with bouquets.
Their closing number "Keep
the Customer Satisfied" was offered as a tribute to the thousands of fans
who really do appreciate what they do. Those who were lucky enough to be there
that night were more than satisfied.
17/11/97: Album The Best of Robson & Jerome released.
15/5/2000: Album Robson & Jerome Love Songs released.
At the height of their singing careers, Jerome and Robson
were presented to the Queen after performing "I Believe" at the Royal
Variety Show. Click
HERE For Video Clip! (With Extreme Thanks to London Weekend Television)
To View You Will Require Real Player Click The Logo To Download
The Royal Presentation (according
to Robson) went like this....
Queen : "Hello you're on the telly aren't you?"
Robson:
"Er, yes that's right"
Queen: "Have you got a disk?"
Robson:
(silence)
Queen: "Mmmmm" (she leaves)
Her husband: "Hello
you're on the telly aren't you?"
Robson: "Er, yes that's right!"
Her husband: "You've, um, er….got a bit of a disk, er, sort of thing haven't
you?"
