The Happy End

The Happy End was a band formed by Mat Fox in 1983.The group was a big band in format and had a membership of 20 people plus a lead singer.Inspired by the music of Kurt Weill, Hanns Eisler, and Charlie Haden, the band commented on the political landscape of London and the United Kingdom throughout the premiership of Margaret Thatcher.Conceived in the squats of Bonnington Square and Vauxhall Grove, The Happy End grew to accommodate up to 24 musicians.Singer Sarah Jane Morris left in 1988 to work with the Communards and Pere Ubu and pursue a solo career.She was temporarily replaced by actor and singer Denise Black.At the end of 1988 singer Bernadette Keeffe joined permanently and remained with the band until the final concert.Bass player Danny Manners went on to work with Louis Philippe, Sandy Dillon and Cathal Coughlan, and later joined Big Big Train.They became a regular feature at anti-establishment gatherings of the 1980s.They played over 150 benefit concerts for miners during 1984 strike.The band played its last concert in May 2000 for the first Mayoral and London Assembly elections.