The Charlatans (the UK version that is) were formed in Birmingham by bassist Martin Blunt, guitarist John Baker, keyboardist Rob Collins, drummer John Brooks, and vocalist Baz Ketley.

The original line-up were all West Midlanders, until Tim Burgess (from Northwich) replaced Ketley, and Mark Collins (from Manchester) replaced Baker. The tragic death of Rob Collins saw West Midlander Tony Rogers take over on keyboards.

The Charlatans created the Dead Dead Good Records label, for the release of their debut single, 'Indian Rope', in 1990. It was a successful beginning, and especially popular with indie fans. The Beggars Banquet Situation Two label signed them up, and their first UK top 10 arrived with only their second single, 'The Only One I Know'. The group, however, have been more successful as an album band over the years, with three UK number one albums, all on Beggars Banquet - 'Some Friendly', 'The Charlatans', and 'Tellin' Stories'.

- Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.

Charlatans DVDs

Charlatans, The - Just Lookin' - 1990-1997 [2002]

The Charlatans - Live At The Brixton Academy

The Charlatans Discography

Albums (and UK chart positions)
Some Friendly (8 October 1990) UK #1
Between 10th & 11th (23 March 1992) UK #21
Up To Our Hips (21 March 1994) UK #8
The Charlatans (28 August 1995) UK #1
Tellin' Stories (21 April 1997) UK #1
Melting Pot (23 February 1998) UK #4
Us And Us Only (18 October 1999) UK #2
Wonderland (10 September 2001) UK #2
Songs From The Other Side (20 May 2002)
Live It Like You Love It (22 July 2002)
Up At The Lake (17 May 2004) UK #7

Singles (and UK chart positions)
Indian Rope (Jan 1990) UK #89
The Only One I Know (May 1990) UK # 9
Then (September 1990) UK #12
Over Rising (February 1991) UK #15
Me In Time (November 1991) UK #28
Weirdo (February 1992) UK #19
Tremelo Song (July 1992) UK #44
Can't Get Out Of Bed (January 1994) UK #24
I Never Want An Easy Life If Me And He Were Ever To Get There (March 1994) UK #38
Jesus Hairdo (June 1994) UK #48
Crashin' In (December 1994) UK #31
Just Lookin'/Bullet Comes (May 1995) UK #32
Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over (August 1995) UK #12
One To Another (August 1996) UK #3
North Country Boy (March 1997) UK #4
How High (June 1997) UK #6
Tellin' Stories (October 1997) UK #16
Forever (October 1999) UK #12
My Beautiful Friend (December 1999) UK #31
Impossible (May 2000) UK #15
Love Is The Key (August 2001) UK #16
A Man Needs To Be Told (November 2001) UK #31
Up At The Lake (May 2004) UK #23
Try Again Today (July 2004) UK #24
Loving You Is Easy (December 2004) Radio Single Only