The following article appeared in a Welsh newspaper in 1997
ROCK FAMILY PULSFORD TAKES THE US BY STORM
by Brendon Williams
America gave us the Jackson Five, Ireland gave us the Nolans. Now Wales has
come up with its own musical megastars -- the Pulsfords.
In their native country, the name is virtually unknown. But the
Newport-born family has achieved the kind of musical success that most
people only dream of.
Between them, they are the backbone of one of America's biggest bands,
the brains behind superstar Cyndi Lauper, and a classical star.
Despite the family's previously uncharted success, Nigel Pulsford and
sisters Janet and Angela have taken the musical world by storm.
Nigel, 32, is guitar-player with America's latest rock phenomena, Bush.
After five years together, the all-British band emerged from nowhere
with their debut album, Sixteen Stone, last January.
It shot straight to number one in America, selling seven million copies.
Their current album, Razorblade Suitcase, sold over two million copies
in its first week.
So far, though, the all-British band have yet to make it as big on this
side of the Atlantic. But that looks set to change as of Friday they start a
15-month world tour which includes the UK.
Despite his huge success, the 32-year-old star remains modest.
"I don't think we ever imagined we would make it this big, it's great,"
he said. "We deliberately concentrated on America because our music is more
suited over there."
As if one success story wasn't enough, Nigel's sisters have also made
their mark in the music business.
His eldest, Janet, was first to place the Pulsford name high among the
ranks of musical stardom.
Her skills on the flute, guitar, keyboard, and cello earned her a place
at St. John's College, York, where she studied music.
She then moved to London where she wrote jingles for television
commercials.
But her big break came when Eighties chart-toppers The Thompson Twins
invited her to join the band and tour with them as a keyboard player.
Things didn't stop there. Fame and fortune was to follow when she
attracted the attention of pop superstar Cyndi Lauper, whom she now tours
regularly with.
Janet also co-wrote Lauper's latest album and will be touring with her
next month.
In between touring and writing, Janet also runs her own recording
studios in Nashville, Tennessee, her own music publishing firm, and is
working towards her own record label.
But it's not just in the world of rock and pop that the Pulsfords have
made their mark. Now married, Angela Reid has enjoyed similar success in
classical music. A talented violinist, she earned herself a scholarship at
the Royal Academy of Music.
She then played Covent Garden and the Royal Albert Hall, and worked with
the internationally famous Bokhol Ballet.
Much of the trio's success is due to their mother, Madeline. Herself a
pianist, she encouraged them all the take up music at an early age.