Background
Richard Butler was born in Kingston upon Thames, London. His father George Butler was research chemist, a Communist and an atheist.
Richard Butler was born in Kingston upon Thames, London. His father George Butler was research chemist, a Communist and an atheist.
In the 1970s the elder Butler was slated to become a scientific ambassador to Russia, but a friend convinced him this would not be a good place for his family. Butler"s mother was an artist, and he started art school in London with the idea of becoming a painter. After graduation he worked in a silk-screen print shop, but got the idea to form a band.
According to Butler, the Psychedelic Furs began rehearsing in the Butler"s front room, but were soon banished because of the noise.
Joined by guitarist John Ashton, guitarist Roger Morris, drummer Vince Ely and sax player Duncan Kilburn, the band quickly gained commercial success. The band"s self-titled 1980 debut on Columbia Records and the 1981 Talk Talk Talk included 20 songs.
By 2000 he said Love Spit Love had "gone into remission." His work with Love Spit Love can be heard on the hit syndicated television show Charmed. A truncated version of LSL"s cover version of The Smiths" hit song "How Soon Is Now?" – recorded for The Craft soundtrack – plays during the Charmed opening credits.
He also sang backing vocals, on "I Am Anastasia" by the American band, Sponge.
Love Spit Love"s "Am I Wrong" was the theme over the opening credits of the 1995 film Angus. In 2001, The Psychedelic Furs reformed after a nine-year hiatus, and have toured worldwide since then In 2001 they released a live album titled Beautiful Chaos: Greatest Hits Live.
In 2014, Butler covered Charles Aznavour"s "She" for the Gone Girl teaser trailer.
In the early 1900s, Butler became interested in the art scene and began painting again. He has had gallery exhibitions in New York City, Miami, and Florence, Italy.