29 Facts About Andy McCluskey

George Andrew McCluskey was born on 24 June 1959 and is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer.

Andy McCluskey is best known as the lead singer and bass guitarist of the electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, which he founded alongside keyboard player Paul Humphreys in 1978: McCluskey has been the group's sole constant member.

Andy McCluskey has sold over 40 million records with OMD, and is regarded as a pioneer of electronic music in the UK.

Andy McCluskey is noted for his frenetic onstage "Trainee Teacher Dance".

Andy McCluskey founded pop girl group Atomic Kitten, for whom he served as a principal songwriter and producer, and has collaborated with various acts.

Andy McCluskey's work has received nominations at the Ivor Novello, Grammy and Brit Awards, and has topped charts in the UK and internationally.

Andy McCluskey was born on 24 June 1959 in Heswall, Wirral, and grew up in a working class home in Meols, on the northern coast of the Wirral.

Andy McCluskey's father, James, was born in Glasgow and was a railway worker.

Andy McCluskey met Paul Humphreys at Great Meols Primary School, in Elwyn Road, and played with him in several bands, including Hitlerz Underpantz, VCL XI and the Id.

Andy McCluskey briefly joined Dalek I Love You as their lead singer, but left because he wanted to sing his own songs.

Andy McCluskey teamed up with Humphreys again to form OMD in 1978, achieving global success.

Andy McCluskey has sold over 40 million records with OMD, and is regarded as a pioneer of electronic music in the UK.

Music Week asserted that Andy McCluskey has an "immense talent for writing perfect pop songs", while Qs Debbi Voller called him a "master of melody".

Andy McCluskey has gained the admiration of fellow musicians including Paul McCartney, The Teardrop Explodes's David Balfe, The Time Frequency's Jon Campbell, and Kraftwerk's Karl Bartos, who hailed him as "such an excellent songwriter".

The Human League and Heaven 17 co-founder, Martyn Ware, referred to "the great Andy McCluskey", labelling him a "true pioneer of electronic pop music".

Andy McCluskey noted how, in the early days of OMD, the band's work was perceived as "robotic intellectual music that you couldn't dance to".

Rock group ZZ Top were noted admirers of Andy McCluskey's dancing, incorporating elements of the routine into their own live show.

In live performances, Andy McCluskey often plays bass guitar and occasionally, keyboard instruments and guitar.

Andy McCluskey is right-handed, but originally learned to play bass guitar on a left-handed model.

In 1998, Andy McCluskey founded the UK pop group Atomic Kitten, serving as songwriter and producer.

Andy McCluskey parted ways with the group during the recording of their second album, Feels So Good.

Andy McCluskey subsequently formed the White Noise records and publishing label where he worked with Liverpool girl group, the Genie Queen.

Andy McCluskey has written with, and provided session musicianship for, various artists.

Andy McCluskey recorded the song "A Million Stars" with members of Fun, for the soundtrack of 2015 film The D Train.

Andy McCluskey owns the Motor Museum, a recording studio in Liverpool.

Producer Mike Crossey, who worked at the studio, has credited Andy McCluskey with being a "great mentor".

Andy McCluskey wrote the lyrics to "Julia's Song", which appeared on OMD's eponymous debut album.

Andy McCluskey later married Toni, with whom he had two children.

Andy McCluskey is a supporter of Liverpool FC He acquired a fandom of Celtic FC through his Glaswegian father.