How a Glasgow hairdresser turned a rock band into a global chart-topping success
In short: Before fronting the Scottish rock band Texas, Sharleen Spiteri worked as a hairdresser in Glasgow. Since their 1986 formation, the group has sold 40 million records worldwide. From surviving a life-threatening brain aneurysm to collaborating with the Wu-Tang Clan, their journey is a masterclass in musical endurance and reinvention.
Texas emerged from Glasgow in 1986, founded by Sharleen Spiteri, Johnny McElhone, and Ally McErlaine. Their debut album, Southside (1989), was an immediate success, selling over two million copies globally and reaching number three on the UK Albums Chart. Despite this strong start, the band faced a period of commercial decline with their subsequent releases, Mothers Heaven and Ricks Road, as they struggled to maintain their initial momentum in the early 1990s.
The band’s fortunes shifted dramatically in 1997 with the release of White on Blonde. The album became their most successful, certified six times platinum in the UK with sales exceeding 1.8 million copies. This era cemented their status as pop-rock staples, bolstered by high-profile endorsements and a unique collaboration with the Wu-Tang Clan on a remix of their hit 'Say What You Want'. The band continued this success with The Hush and their 2000 compilation, The Greatest Hits, which also achieved six-time platinum status.
The group’s resilience was tested in 2009 when guitarist Ally McErlaine suffered a massive brain aneurysm, an event with an 80% mortality rate. His recovery allowed the band to reunite for their 2013 album, The Conversation. Since then, Texas has maintained a steady output, including the 2021 album Hi, which reached number one in Scotland and number three in the UK. Their longevity is marked by constant evolution, from Spiteri’s solo ventures to their 2023 performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.
What makes Texas notable is their ability to navigate the shifting landscape of the music industry over nearly four decades. By blending rock sensibilities with pop production and embracing unexpected collaborations, they have remained relevant long after their initial breakthrough. Their story is one of creative persistence, proving that even after an indefinite hiatus and severe health crises, a band can successfully reclaim its place at the top of the charts.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Texas (band)
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