Singer Bryan Ferry, guitarist Phil Manzanera and saxophonist Andy MacKay have reunited as Roxy Music and are planning a fifty-date tour of Britain, Europe, America, Australia and Japan, the first time the band has performed together since breaking up eighteen years ago.

Brian Eno, who left Roxy Music in 1973, will not be taking part in the reunion, though a band spokesman says that Eno's absence is not due to any ill will. Ferry remains close to the keyboardist/electronic whiz and has collaborated with him during the two years on his forthcoming album, as well as writing a song with him.

Ferry hinted at the reunion when speaking to RollingStone.com last year about the reissued editions of the band's albums. "The idea of maybe someday soon playing again appeals to me," Ferry said. "It's rather sad that these songs aren't performed more often. It would be nice one day to reform the band if only to go and play some concerts . . . and it would be quite nice to do it with some of the original members."

JAAN UHELSZKI
(January 30, 2001)