Page "The Stranglers" Paragraph 18

In August 1990, founding member Hugh Cornwell left the band to pursue a solo career.

In his autobiography, Cornwell stated that he felt the band was a spent force creatively, and cited various examples of his increasingly acrimonious relationship with his fellow band-members, particularly Burnel.

The remaining members recruited John Ellis, who had had a long-standing association with the band.

He had opened for them in the 1970s as a member of The Vibrators, filled in for Cornwell during his time in prison for drug possession in 1980, worked with Burnel and Greenfield in their side-project Purple Helmets, and been added to the Stranglers ' line-up as a touring guitarist a short time before Cornwell's departure.

Burnel and Ellis briefly took over vocal duties ( for one television appearance on The Word ) before enlisting Paul Roberts, who sang on most songs live, even those originally sung by Burnel.

This line-up recorded four albums: Stranglers In the Night ( 1992 ), About Time ( 1995 ), Written in Red ( 1997 ) and Coup de Grace ( 1998 ).