Keep Moving

Keep Moving, Madness’ fifth studio album, was released in February 1984 and marked their final album on the Stiff label. It was the band’s last studio album to feature their keyboardist and founding member, Mike Barson before they split in 1986. The album peaked at No. 6 in the UK Albums Chart and saw two singles from it reach the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart. It also achieved a respectable number 109 on the US Billboard 200, their highest position in the United States. The album received generally positive reviews, with Rolling Stone magazine giving it four out of five stars and praising the band’s evolving sound. NME even ranked it number 13 among the “Albums of the Year” for 1984.

On October 5, 1983, the band was rehearsing and discussing a potential television series written for them by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis. However, during the discussion, Mike Barson informed the band that he would no longer be able to participate. Exhausted by the music industry, he wanted to spend more time with his wife, whom they had recently relocated to Amsterdam with. Barson agreed to complete recording the album “Keep Moving” and left the band after playing his final concert with them at the Lyceum Ballroom on December 21, 1983. Following Barson’s departure, James Mackie stepped in and graced the popular US television show “Saturday Night Live” with Madness on April 14, 1984. After leaving the band, Barson returned to the UK to film two music videos, “Michael Caine” and “One Better Day,” since he had participated in the recording sessions. He officially bid farewell to the band in June 1984, following the release of the “One Better Day” single. Paul Carrack replaced Barson as the band embarked on a tour of America in early 1984.