Who / What
Paul Robert Morley is an English music journalist born in 1957 who wrote extensively about popular music for many years, contributing significantly to publications like the *New Musical Express* and *Melody Maker*. He was also a co-founder of the record label ZTT Records alongside his brother Mike Score and lyricist Geoff Barrow. Furthermore, he served as a member of the synthpop group Art of Noise.
Background & History
Born on 26 March 1957 in England (birthplace not specified), Morley began his career at the *New Musical Express* (NME) covering punk music during its height. He later moved to *Melody Maker*. In 1980, he co-founded ZTT Records with Mike Score and Geoff Barrow, which launched influential acts like Yazoo. Around this time, or shortly after, he became a member of the synthpop group Art of Noise (formed by Barrow), contributing his name alongside collaborators such as Vince Clarke and Neneh Cherry. He continued writing music reviews for various publications throughout his career.
Why Notable
Paul Morley was notable during the late 1970s to early 1980s punk and early new wave eras through his influential journalism at NME, bridging that underground scene with broader musical discourse later in life. As a co-founder of ZTT Records, he played a crucial role in fostering innovative music production techniques associated with the "Young British Artists" movement, championing artists like Yazoo (later known as Yaz). His involvement as a founding member and vocalist for Art of Noise placed him at the forefront of one of the most influential synthpop bands. Through both his writing and direct creative contributions within ZTT and Art of Noise, he helped shape the understanding and appreciation of popular music.
