Born on August 7: Huey Morgan was no longer having fun with the Fun Lovin' Criminals

Born in 1968, the man has Irish and Puerto Rican blood running through his veins. His roots are as spicy as the musical influences of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals.

Without boasting about his past, Huey Morgan never tried to hide his activities as a coke dealer during his adolescence. Not to mention a host of other recurring petty thefts. Brian Leiser (bass), Steve Borgovini (drums), and Huey Morgan (guitar and vocals), the trio's three founding members, therefore didn't choose the name Criminals entirely by chance. While Huey repeats ad libitum that "Barry White saved his life" (on "Love Unlimited"), their incredible musical blend of hip hop and alternative rock also had a salutary effect. It must be said that their first album, "Come Find Yourself" (1996), remains a joyful, groove-filled gem that hasn't aged a day. Its follow-up, "100% Columbian" (1998), equally pleasantly exploits the same vein. It's unclear whether the title refers solely to the coffee grown in the Andes Mountains or also to a certain white powder. Knowing their ironic humor, it's easy to assume it's a bit of both!

Since then, starting with the album "Mimosa" (1999), the Fun Lovin' Criminals have certainly continued to explore the same paths, but a (mediocre) cover of 10CC's "I'm Not In Love" or an unexpected duet with Ian Macculloch ("Summer Wind") seems to indicate that the FLC are gradually losing their fabulous alchemist talents. Despite a few flashes of brilliance like "Swashbuckin' In Brooklyn" (2001)...

Huey's departure in 2021 amidst the fracas, pain, and a few name-calling, therefore comes as a bit of a surprise. Especially since, for years, he has been working to diversify his activities: pizzeria and bar in Dublin for a while then a few tattoo shops, notably in Notting Hill. If these activities seem to have all fizzled out, they demonstrate that music is no longer the singer's only center of interest. He also wrote "Rebel Heroes" in 2015. Currently, rather than traveling the roads of the world, he leads a quiet little life in the beautiful city of Bath. Who knows, maybe we'll see him again one day?

(MH With Stéphane Soupart - Photo : © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Huey Morgan with The Fun Lovin’ Criminels on stage at Pukkelpop in Hasselt, Belgium, in August 1996