Stephen Jones, frontman of the 90s band Babybird, recently appeared at the Britfest event in Altrincham, Cheshire, sporting a significantly different look from his indie heartthrob days.
Jones, now 63, performed with his bandmates Huw Chadbourne, Robert Gregory, John Pedder, and Luke Scott at the festival, which ran from July 2 to 5. He sported grey, spiky hair, wore sunglasses, and was seen in a black suit with a matching shirt and silver rings. This appearance contrasts with his earlier image, which featured floppy blond hair.
Babybird's most famous song, "You're Gorgeous," released approximately 30 years ago, reached number two on the charts. Jones has previously described the song, from the album "Ugly Beautiful," as having a feminist message. He explained in an interview with The Guardian that he wrote the basic structure of the song in about 30 minutes. Jones stated that while the verses contain sharp lyrics, he intended the chorus to be more accessible, drawing listeners in. He noted that while the band initially viewed the song as a potential joke, the record company recognized its potential.
Jones elaborated that the song was a response to the pervasive imagery of women on car bonnets he observed growing up. He aimed to invert this perspective, imagining how a male photographer might feel in a similar situation to highlight the objectification involved.
In 2020, while promoting his album "Photosynthesis," Jones discussed his experiences after suffering a heart attack and the importance of his family. He is married to Alison, and they have two children, Delphie and Gabe. Jones expressed that the health scare reinforced his focus on his family and his role as an at-home father. He stated that while he enjoys performing, he aims for his gigs to be enjoyable for attendees without adding pressure on his family.
