Living Colour was formed in New York in 1984 by guitarist Vernon Reid, a musician associated with the experimental jazz scene. The band’s classic lineup took shape in 1986, with Corey Glover on vocals, Muzz Skillings on bass, and Will Calhoun on drums. Combining hard rock, heavy metal, funk, jazz, and soul, the quartet—composed of Black musicians—challenged racial barriers in rock and incorporated social and political issues into their lyrics.
After gaining a following in New York clubs and winning the support of Mick Jagger, the band released Vivid (1988). The album featured “Cult of Personality,” their greatest classic, as well as “Glamour Boys” and “Open Letter (to a Landlord).” The success paved the way for a tour with the Rolling Stones and established Living Colour as one of the most influential names in the rock revival of the late 1980s.
On Time’s Up (1990), the group expanded its mix of styles, blending heavy rock, jazz, hip-hop, and funk. Stain (1993), on the other hand, featured a heavier and darker sound, with Doug Wimbish replacing Skillings on bass. Despite their artistic acclaim, the band temporarily disbanded in 1995.
Their official comeback took place in 2000, with the lineup remaining the same: Glover, Reid, Calhoun, and Wimbish. From this new phase came Collideøscope (2003), marked by experimentation and reflections on the post-9/11 world; The Chair in the Doorway (2009), which revisited the classic combination of heaviness and grooves; and Shade (2017), a visceral work deeply inspired by the roots of the blues.
- Origin:
Featured Albums
Collideøscope
2003
Stain
1993
Time's Up
1990
Vivid
1988
