Anne-Marie Hurst - Ghost Dance

Ghost Dance

Already being in communication with Sisters Of Mercy founder Gary Marx, Anne-Marie laid the seeds to form Ghost Dance. They had toured together when Skeletal Family supported the Sisters on their Black October UK tour in 1984. Rehearsals and song writing promptly ensued, and in late 1985, Ghost Dance played their first gig at North East London Polytechnic. The early sets featured, amongst others, glam rock cover versions and Skeletal Family/Sisters songs "She Cries Alone" and "Poison Door".

The "River Of No Return" 12” single was released in April 1986, followed by three other 12” singles in 1986, all of which were successful in the independent charts. The band line-up stabilised to consist of Anne-Marie, Gary Marx & Richard Steel (Guitars), Etch (Bass) and John Grant (Drums).

By now, the band were gaining their own groups of fans, who became known as the "Spook Squad". Their debut album "Stop The World" was released in September 1989. Selling relatively well it reached the lower end of the UK charts. However, within a couple of days into a prestigious tour of Europe supporting the Ramones, Chrysalis announced they were not taking up their option on further recording projects with the band. They played what was to unknowingly be their final gig in Amsterdam on December 4, 1989.

Anne-Marie was approached by various management teams and began working on a batch of songs with glam rock seventies band The Sweet. Rare demos outline the more pop/rock direction being undertaken at the time.

Ghost Dance made one singles compilation and one studio album, with many b-sides never made available on any compilation. The band broke up in 1990.