When Oasis Split, Madness Saved the Night
Few bands could survive stepping into Oasis’s shoes on the very night the Gallagher brothers called it quits. But Madness aren’t just any band. Booked on the same festival bill as Oasis that infamous night in Paris the Nutty Boys suddenly found themselves filling the “Oasis-shaped hole” in the programming.
The mood was tense: Suggs and the band expected to get bottled off an army of disappointed Britpop fans. Instead, what unfolded was a classic Madness moment. With trademark humour and swagger, they turned a potential disaster into triumph, with singalongs, cheeky banter, and their unmatched catalogue of hits.
Grandfathers & Great Grandfathers
After decades of delivering hits, chaos, and unforgettable live shows, Madness aren’t just music icons anymore – they’re now grandfathers and great-grandfathers. The Nutty Boys have traded some of their late-night antics for bedtime stories and school runs, proving that time only adds to their charm.
Banned from Top of the Pops
Madness have never been ones to follow the rules – so it’s perhaps no surprise that they were banned from Top of the Pops as many as five times. Known for their irrepressible energy, cheeky antics, and on-stage chaos, the band’s antics apparently didn’t quite fit the BBC’s primetime mould.
From smashing up stage props to delivering performances bursting with personality, Madness brought the same humour, unpredictability, and nutty charm to every show – whether the cameras were rolling or not. The ban only cemented their reputation as a band that couldn’t be tamed, one that fans loved for being authentic, funny, and delightfully unpredictable.
Even now, decades later, the stories from their Top of the Pops ban live on as a badge of honour. a reminder that Madness have always been at the forefront of fun, irreverence, and British pop culture.
Polish medals of gratitude
In December 2012, Madness were officially recognised by Poland with Medals of Gratitude from the European Solidarity Centre. This honour celebrated the band’s significant contribution to Poland’s Solidarity movement during the 1980s.
In 1984, amidst the political turmoil in Poland, Madness performed in Warsaw and Gdańsk. Demonstrating solidarity with the Polish people, the band donated their entire performance fees to support the Solidarity movement, a trade union and social movement that played a central role in the peaceful end of communist rule in Poland.
The Medals of Gratitude were presented to the band during a ceremony at the Polish Embassy in London on December 17, 2012. Polish Ambassador Witold Sobków awarded the medals to the band members, acknowledging their support for the Polish people during a critical period in their history.
Lee vs. Calvin Harris
In a tale that blends rock star antics with a touch of mischief, saxophonist Lee Thompson once locked DJ and producer Calvin Harris in a portable toilet – a story that has since become part of the band’s legendary lore.
The incident reportedly stemmed from Harris’s refusal to sign an autograph for Lee, In retaliation, Lee locked Harris inside the portable toilet, turning a moment of frustration into a now-infamous prank.
Our House… minus the words
At the Opening Ceremony of London 2012, Suggs confidently launched into Our House – only to forget the lyrics after the first line. The crowd sang it back to him word for word, proving the audience really is part of the band.
The moment perfectly captured what Madness have always been about: humour, personality, and connecting with their fans in a way that feels genuine and human.
The Michael McIntyre incident
Suggs can no longer be booked on The Michael McIntyre Show after defacing one of his tour posters outside of the O2. Watch here.
Shut out of Glastonbury
In the early years, Madness found it tough to get booked for Glastonbury. Fast forward 20 years, and the Nutty Boys have since played two triumphant sets on the Glastonbury main stage. Proof, if ever it was needed, that Madness’s music and spirit were always made for the biggest crowds.
The Madness biopic
They even starred in their own biopic ‘Take it or Leave it’ – making it half documentary, half pantomime – and all chaos.
Madness- Hit Parade 1979-2024 is out now. Listen here
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