25 Facts About Philip Oakey

Philip Oakey was born on 2 October 1955 and is an English singer-songwriter who is the frontman and co-founder of the synth-pop band the Human League.

Philip Oakey has been lead vocalist of the Human League for more than 40 years.

Philip Oakey was born on 2 October 1955 in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

Philip Oakey's father worked for the General Post Office and moved jobs regularly: the family moved to Coventry when Philip Oakey was an infant, to Leeds when he was five and to Birmingham when he was nine, attending Catherine-de-Barnes primary school near Solihull and gaining a scholarship to the independent Solihull School.

Philip Oakey was educated at King Edward VII School in Sheffield.

Philip Oakey left school at 18 without finishing his exams and worked in a number of casual jobs, including one in a university bookshop and as a hospital orderly at Thornbury Annex Hospital in Sheffield in 1977.

In 1978, Philip Oakey married his girlfriend Anthea Helliwell, whom he had met at school, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1980.

Philip Oakey purchased a saxophone but abandoned efforts to learn how to play it, and he had no aspiration to be in a pop group.

Ware invited Philip Oakey to join the Future by leaving a note on Philip Oakey's front door.

Philip Oakey had noticed them for their dance moves, dress style and makeup.

Philip Oakey now calls this the best decision of his career, as the girls would be critical in the band's further success, and Sulley and Catherall became Oakey's business partners in the present-day band.

Philip Oakey had a relationship with Catherall which lasted several years; the pair remain friends.

In 1989, Philip Oakey persuaded Sheffield City Council to grant a business development loan for the building of Human League Studios in Sheffield, Philip Oakey's dedicated studio for the band and a commercial venture.

Philip Oakey has worked solo and with other artists and producers.

In 1990, Philip Oakey provided guest vocals on "What Comes After Goodbye," the one-off release by the short-lived Sheffield dance band Respect.

In 1991, Philip Oakey collaborated with Vic Reeves on the track "Black Night," a Deep Purple cover.

In 1999, Oakey provided vocals for the single "1st Man in Space" by the Sheffield band All Seeing I The song was written by Jarvis Cocker.

Philip Oakey often wore bike leathers and rode a classic Norton motorcycle around Sheffield.

In 1979, inspired by the 1970s glam rock style of Brian Eno, Philip Oakey began wearing makeup.

Philip Oakey's style became increasingly more feminine, including the use of bright red lipstick.

Philip Oakey pushed his style further and began wearing high-heeled shoes.

Philip Oakey already had both his ears pierced and wore dangling women's diamante earrings.

Philip Oakey appeared in public in full makeup, dressed in his eclectic style.

At the time of the 1986 Crash album, Philip Oakey wore designer clothes and a manicured look that was inspired by Sean Young's character in the film Blade Runner.

Philip Oakey generally wears a simple Armani suit on the stage.