Paul Carrack

Ace became the best known of London's pub-rock bands when "How Long," written and sung by Paul Carrack, became a #3 U.S. hit in 1975. The group had been founded by Alan King and Phil Harris, and "How Long" was a product of its first recording session. What many listeners believed was a love song actually concerned Terry Comer's temporary departure from the band to work with the Sutherland Brothers and Quiver and his return to Ace. The rest of the group's material failed to match the success of the debut single, and after a 1976 tour with Yes, the group resettled in L.A. and in 1977 disbanded. Carrack, Byrne, and Comer joined Frankie Miller.

Carrack later recorded with Roxy Music, Squeeze (he sings lead on its 1981 hit “Tempted”) [see entry], and a short-lived backup band for Carlene Carter. In 1982 he joined Nick Lowe’s Noise to Go, and in 1985, Mike + the Mechanics, for which he sang lead on the latter group’s Top 10 “Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)” and on the #1 “Living Years” [see Genesis entry]. In 1987 Carrack’s “Don’t Shed a Tear” went Top 10. He rejoined Squeeze for its 1993 album, Some Fantastic Place, then returned to Mike + the Mechanics for 1995’s Beggar on a Beach of Gold. In 1997 Carrack finally resumed his solo career with Blue Views, which featured the #2 adult-contemporary hit “For Once in Our Lives.” His subsequent albums continue to explore his signature brand of blue-eyed soul pop.

from The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (Simon & Schuster, 2001)