The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ure pays tribute to Ultravox bandmate and friend
Midge Ure has announced the death of his former Ultravox bandmate Chris Cross. Cross, real name Chris Allen, died aged 71 and was a part of the original line-up of the electronic pop group along with Ure, Warren Cann and Billy Currie.
The 1980s group released albums including Vienna, Rage In Eden and Quartet, plus songs such as Reap The Wild Wind, Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, Love’s Great Adventure and Vienna.
In a statement to the Ultravox Instagram account, signed by Ure, he said: “Chris Allen. We worked together, we played together, made music and directed videos together.
“We were instant friends as well as Ultravox comrades. Even after years apart we managed to pick up where we left off like the years in between never existed. You were the glue that held the band together.
“You were the logic in the madness and the madness in our lives. It was great to know and grow with you. You are loved and missed old friend.”
Keyboard player Currie also paid tribute, writing on his Facebook page: “Hi people, very sad to hear about Chris... We had some amazing times together. Laughing mostly.”
Vienna was Ultravox’s highest charting single, co-written by Cross, peaking at number two in February 1981 – and was notoriously kept off the top spot by Joe Dolce’s novelty song Shaddup You Face, according to the Official Charts Company.
The song was the sixth biggest single of the year in the UK, and was voted the nation’s favourite number two single in a poll by Radio 2 and Official Charts in 2013.
Ultravox broke up after performing at Live Aid in 1985 before reuniting for a tour in 2009 and also playing the Isle of Wight festival.
The band then released the record Brilliant in 2012 with Ure, Currie and Cross all contributing to the lyrics and music.
Tributes to Cross also poured in on social media with one fan writing on X, “Chris and you (Midge) were the soundtrack of my youth and still love you guys to bits... Deepest sympathy to Chris’ family and friends”. Another fan wrote under Midge’s post announcing Chris’ passing: “There aren’t enough words that would adequately describe what you achieved together.”