The British singer-songwriter Alison Moyet celebrates 63 today
Known for her powerful contralto voice, Moyet scored several hits throughout her career including “Don’t Go” and “Only You” as the singer for Yazoo and “Is This Love?” as a solo artist
The British singer-songwriter Alison Moyet celebrates 63 today
Known for her powerful contralto voice, the English singer-songwriter Alison Moyet was born Geneviève Alison Jane Moyet on June 18, 1961, in Billericay, Essex. She grew up in Basildon, Essex, where she developed a passion for music early on, influenced by a diverse range of genres from punk to blues.
Moyet’s musical career began in the late 1970s when she started performing with various punk and blues bands in her local area. Her breakthrough came in 1981 when she teamed up with Vince Clarke, a former member of Depeche Mode, to form the synthpop duo Yazoo (known as Yaz in the United States). Yazoo quickly gained popularity with their debut album “Upstairs at Eric’s” (1982), which included hits like “Only You” and “Don’t Go.”
Yazoo released a second album, “You and Me Both” (1983), before disbanding due to creative differences. Despite their brief existence, Yazoo left a lasting impact on the music scene, blending soulful vocals with electronic music in a way that was ahead of its time.
Following the split of Yazoo, Moyet embarked on a solo career, releasing her debut album “Alf” in 1984. The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 in the UK and featuring hits like “Love Resurrection,” “Invisible,” and “All Cried Out.” Her powerful voice and emotive delivery won her critical acclaim and a strong fan base.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Moyet continued to release successful albums, including “Raindancing” (1987), which featured the hit single “Is This Love?,” and “Hoodoo” (1991). Her music evolved over the years, incorporating elements of pop, blues, and jazz, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
Moyet took a break from recording in the late 1990s but returned with the album “Hometime” in 2002, which was well-received by critics and marked a successful comeback. She continued to release albums in the following years, including “The Turn” (2007) and “The Minutes” (2013), which saw her experimenting with electronic sounds once again.
Alison Moyet has been open about her struggles with depression and her journey towards self-acceptance. She has spoken candidly about the pressures of the music industry and her battles with weight and body image. Moyet is married to David Ballard, and the couple has three children.
Her most recent album, “Other,” was released in 2017 to critical acclaim. Today she celebrates 63.
Look back at the music video for Alison Moyet’s 1987 hit single “Is This Love?”
Also watch Yazoo’s 1982 music video for “Don’t Go”
Watch more music related videos
Images and photographs can be from different ranges of sources such as Pinterest, Tumblr etc. except when/where noted. If you are the copyright holder and would like them removed or credited, please get in touch.