An all black Rock band blessed with the talents of London born guitarist Vernon Reid. Raised in Brooklyn Reid took to guitar at an early age and was making his presence felt on the club scene with the Punk-Funk sounds of DEFUNKT prior to organising the build up of LIVING COLOUR during 1984. LIVING COLOUR was essentially discovered by ROLLING STONES frontman MICK JAGGER who ensnared the guitarist's services for his 'Primitive Cool' album. The singer returned the favour by producing 'Which Way To America' and 'Glamour Boys' on LIVING COLOUR's debut album 'Vivid'.

Reid founded the band whilst studying performing arts in New York in 1984. Two years later vocalist Corey Glover, who had only just acted in the acclaimed Oliver Stone 'Platoon' movie, and drummer Will Calhoun were added. The band crafted a solid reputation on the New York club circuit which culminated in house band term at the infamous CBGB's club where Jagger duly caught their live set. The unit was completed by bassist Manuel 'Muzz' Skillings in 1987. LIVING COLOUR's demo, produced by Jagger, scored the act a deal with major label Epic. However, in spite of the Jagger connection LIVING COLOUR's debut album at first received little attention.

LIVING COLOUR toured nationwide to little response until MTV latched onto the video of 'Cult Of Personality', and, proceeding to spin the promo flick a record number of times, exploded the band into the national conscience. The Grammy award winning 'Cult Of Personality, which included samples of John F. Kennedy, became a huge hit for the band as did the follow up 'Open Letter To A Landlord'. LIVING COLOUR stepped up as special guest to the ROLLING STONES 'Steel Wheels' tour, Reid strengthening the ties by contributing to Jagger's solo album.

LIVING COLOUR's second outing 'Time's Up' in 1990 boasted an all star guest line up including such heavyweights as CARLOS SANTANA and KEITH RICHARD. Even QUEEN LATIFAH got in on the action extolling the virtues of safe sex with a rap on the track 'Under Cover Of Darkness' whilst none other than LITTLE RICHARD turns up on the surreal and controversial 'Elvis Is Dead'. Touring found LIVING COLOUR helping to form up the very first nationwide 'Lollapalooza' touring festival event.

The 'Biscuits' mini album, which included a cover of JIMI HENDRIX's 'Burning Of The Midnight Lamp', JAMES BROWN and AL GREEN covers alongside live cuts, tided the band over until 1993's much harder edged 'Stain'. Skillings departed in late 1991. His place was filled by former TACKHEAD man Doug Wimbush who put in his inaugural gig with the band in Sao Paulo, Brazil in January of 1992. Although 'Stain' did not rack up the sales of former outings its mix of full on Metal mixed with proto-Grunge did find favour with hardcore fans. In Japan, a live album entitled 'Dread' emerged.

The group entered the recording studio in London to cut a fourth album but, mysteriously, broke apart midway through these sessions. Some of these final tracks turned up on a retrospective album 'Pride' released in November 1995. LIVING COLOUR officially disbanded in January of 1995, the band having bowed out with a version of CREAM's 'Sunshine Of Your Love', included on the movie soundtrack for 'True Lies'. VERNON REID issued his opening solo effort 'Mistaken Identity' the following year and assembled a fresh band entitled MASQUE.

Reid guested on vocalist JOE LYNN TURNER's 1999 'Undercover 2' album performing on a cover of UFO's 'Rock Bottom'.

A LIVING COLOUR line up of Glover, Reid, Calhoun and Wimbish reunited at the infamous CBGB's club in New York for a one off show in late December 2000. Reaction was such that LIVING COLOUR were soon engaged in full scale North American touring and would spend much of 2002 recording a new album. Before the year close the band signed to Sanctuary Records for a comeback opus 'Collideoscope' in September of 2003. Extensive European dates would coincide.

Guitarist Vernon Reid readied his solo project, credited as VERNON REID & MASQUE, for a 2004 album 'Known Unknown'. With Corey Glover unavailable due to movie commitments, KING'S X frontman Doug Pinnick substituted on LIVING COLOUR European touring in August 2006. On September 22nd the original LIVING COLOUR line-up, including bass player Muzz Skillings, performed a one off birthday party gig for music mogul Jack DeJohnette's wife Lydia.

LIVING COLOUR performed at the 'Rocklohoma' festival in Pryor, Oklahoma in July 2008. Shortly afterwards Vernon Reid performed a series of solo sets at the G-TARanaki 1st New Zealand International Guitar festival in New Plymouth alongside JOE SATRIANI, GLENN HUGHES, ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO, GILBY CLARKE and ULI JON ROTH.

A live album, 'CBGB OMFUG Masters: August 19, 2005 The Bowery Collection', was released on 28th October, this set having been recorded live at a benefit for CBGBs club in New York City on 19th August 2005. In December LIVING COLOUR compiled material for a new album entitled 'The Chair In The Doorway'. The band invited fans to submit original images conveying their interpretation of the album title to be used as the cover art.

A teaser track, 'Behind The Sun', was made available online on July 10th. The first new studio album in five years, recorded at Sono Studios outside of Prague in the Czech Republic, arrived on 15th September 2009 via Megaforce Records.

Garry Sharpe-Young