T’pau

T’Pau is a British pop rock band formed in 1986 in Shropshire, originating from the towns of Shrewsbury and Wellington. The band’s name is inspired by a Vulcan high priestess from the science-fiction series Star Trek.

The band is led by singer Carol Decker. The original lineup, as stated on the sleeve of the album ‘Bridge Of Spies’, features Carol Decker on vocals, Ron Rogers on rhythm guitar, Tim Burgess on drums and percussion, Michael Chetwood on keyboards, Paul Jackson on bass and Taj Wyzgowski on lead guitar solos. Another lineup, listed on the sleeve of the album ‘Rage’, includes Dean Howard as lead guitarist.

Their first success was the 1987 single Heart and Soul. Initially a failure in the United Kingdom, it became a hit in the United States, reaching number 4 on the Billboard chart, before achieving the same success months later in the British charts. That same year the band scored its biggest hit with the ballad China in Your Hand, which spent five weeks at number one in the UK and also reached the top spot in several European countries.

Their 1987 album ‘Bridge Of Spies’ (titled ‘T’Pau’ in the United States) was a bestseller and won several British music industry awards. The band followed with several other Top 40 UK hits, including the singles Valentine, Sex Talk (a new version of their first single Intimate Strangers), I Will Be With You and Secret Garden.

The group split in 1991 but Carol Decker reformed it with a new lineup in 1998, attempting comebacks in recent years. In May 2005, Carol Decker reached the final of the ITV show ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ performing China in Your Hand.