JJ Burnel discusses Hugh Cornwell leaving The Stranglers at his biography signing event on 15/10/23

Rough Trade East hosted a book signing and question and answer event for Stranglers bass man Jean-Jacques Burnel and his fans. Here, JJ talks about Hugh Cornwell leaving the band..
'Strangler In The Light' is now available in English from: stranglers.tmstor.es/product/...
and
cadizmerchstore.com/products/...

[@stewright539]

Hugh gave the Stranglers longevity by the songs he left.Songs they still play 33 years later.

[@stephanejuquin9628]

just the truth !

[@jonathanbicknell8435]

Are you forgetting that JJ wrote a lot of the songs too?

[@wolfenstein6676]

The best thing Cornwell did for the Stranglers was leave, just as JJ mentioned. He was determined to turn them into some sort of pop band and I will always prefer Baz on vocals to him and I've followed the Stranglers since day one. Cornwell has done literally nothing since he left.

[@xvola6888]

@@jonathanbicknell8435 yes but after Hugh left JJs songs ain't as good which say's it all really don't you think jonathanbicknell8435.

[@brianjones4026]

yeah i do not see one new song since Hugh " left " the band !

[@4vemsnotver87]

It was positive that JJ never publicly slagged Hugh off or spoke ill of his decision to leave the band. Some people would react openly react bitterly, but his diplomacy even after all these years is very commendable ?

[@theclashcalling_]

You haven't read J-J's memoir, then! 😂

[@jezbollahxxx5653]

After years of relative diplomacy, it's understandable that JJ has finally let rip in his memoir, after years of snarky sideswipes from Hugh. The truth is that each of them benefitted from the other's critical eye (and Jet's) when developing songs, and both of them have a propensity towards self-indulgence. Most of Hugh's solo albums would have benefitted from some harsh feedback at the writing stage.

[@childwallred]

Does JJB mention punching Hugh or being an obnoxious bully in his memoirs?

[@Captain_Rhodes]

Its 15 years too late for a reunion but I hope one day they can sit down and have a laugh about it all before its too late

[@giorgiopalmas7934]

So glad I saw them a few times with Hugh.

[@regplasma7906]

I would just firstly like to say I love and respect JJ . Hugh Cornwell is NOT dead , but alive and still very much kicking and for JJ to look up at the sky to say" Thanks Hugh "is wrong as he is not thanking the heavens and God above .It has not been a blessing in disguise or serendipitous that he left The Stranglers , it was a fuckin' tragedy for all parties .End of.

[@MultiStevo1]

Was never the same band again after Cornwell left.

[@Black.Sabbath]

Rubbish.

[@rockabillystu]

Some of the Stranglers songs after Cornwell are brilliant, Cornwell leaves becomes a non entity , the Stranglers carry on playing to packed audiences with new songs and old classics , whose the one that’s made the bad decision !

[@WEF-APOPHIS-2029]

I thought the same, and although it wasn't the same, I went to see them not long after in Glasgow, it was a great gig, they did play all their old hits so that may have been a factor 😎

[@jezbollahxxx5653]

That's a simplistic view. Most people on this thread would agree that the Stranglers were at their absolute peak (with Hugh) until the early 80s. Their quality of output declined in the mid-late 80s, culminating in the dismal "10" and the half-arsed final live performances. In the last 25 years, what the Stranglers have produced has never come close to the magnificent early years, but it's been far better than the mediocre material on "Dreamtime" and "10".

[@VincentRE79]

@@jezbollahxxx5653 Yes during the 80's after around 1982 they were awful, I could not believe what this great band had become.

[@jasmineblack9778]

wish JJ had just uploaded the full interview as is promotion for his book

[@politepunk]

It wasn't recorded. Only snippets by the audience!

[@englishblackie]

I have seen The Stranglers many time over the last 40+ years and enjoyed the band with Hugh in it. I still went and saw them in the nineties and wondered how long they could continue. The output improved so much after Baz joined and i think they are now on a par with what they were in 70s and 80s.

[@MrBathcity]

Agree. I hated the Paul Roberts/John Ellis version, but the four-piece with Baz on guitars and vocals (like Hugh) is brilliant live, and they've written some great songs. 'Relentless' is up there with the very best of their early output.

[@user-gy5cx5db2i]

i loved the original stranglers but the albums after la folie, though they had some individual great tracks, were becoming a bit bland so i think hugh cornwell left at the right time- its a real shame that they never made up their differences because they always seemed to have a "us against the world" attitude- my friend said he was hitching round london in 75/76 and he got picked up by a beaten up old van with four dudes on board who shared their beer and pot with him and went out of their way to drop him at a good spot and told him they were a band called the (guildford)stranglers and to watch out for their name cos they were going to be big!

[@Edward1312]

It happened 34 years ago, he was only in the band for 16 years!

[@alecgray3711]

That’s what Hugh Cornwell means to Stranglers fans. He is irreplaceable. There’ve been great songs since he left, but in patches.

[@davidbourgoin523]

Only 16 years 🤣

[@jmcw6736]

Yeah, I'd say fortuitous too if I was still living off the songs my bandmate brought to the band.

[@stevendimmock4791]

The band were never the same after Him. A spark had gone out and the band never rekindled it.

[@terrythekittieful]

Their last album 'Dark Matters' was pretty good. Not in the Stranglers best half dozen but better than 99% of the garbage you hear today and it will be the last to feature participation from Dave Greenfield.

[@whitesoldier1962]

Loved the Stranglers but as the years went by it diminished and as for discrediting Hugh he was the true song writing talent, Going seperate ways destroyed what could of been

[@TransSpewMan]

The Stranglers turned from the most powerful sounding and exciting band to a pop act in the early mid 80's then in to a big time act with trumpets and a silly extra guitarist with a weak tame sound.They simply turned soft thats what killed them for me personally.I blame them all for this soft pop style but especially Hugh because I knew Hugh was a bit of a musical softie at heart.They were the very best for a while but only for a while.

[@John-vn3wf]

Jet said said the early songs were written when they were angry young men and the songs reflected their circumstances at the time. As you become more successful of course the style of the music changes. If the musical style had stayed the same they wouldnt have had the longevity that they,ve had.

[@Klaus80804]

I think today they sound more like they did in the early days. The time with the horns and the extra guitarist was really cruel. For me, the album “Giants” also has a lot of the first records, although of course they will never be equaled again. Neither from Hugh nor from the other three. Probably not even if they had stayed together. Every great band only has a relatively short period of time where they are truly magical.

[@TransSpewMan]

@@Klaus80804 There is only JJ left its a silly situation,If I had to pick I prefer Hugh;s three-piece version of The Stranglers and at the end of the day each remaining member Hugh and JJ still own the rights to the songs which to me makes them the only two remaining Stranglers the other players are no more than session musicians playing someone else's material.

[@arthurjacksparrow5733]

⁠@@TransSpewManyou're a cornwell fan boy, & you'd like to go & see Hugh instead of The Stranglers lol. Hope I don't get as boring as you when I get old. Stranglers at the Royal Albert Hall rocked; current line up is awesome. Dark Matters is awesome. JJ is awesome. Baz is awesome. Jim is awesome. Toby is awesome. You're just boring

[@TransSpewMan]

@@arthurjacksparrow5733 Current line up LOL...there is only one Stranglers line up and thats long long gone.

[@patrickwest3076]

I grew up with the stranglers .Got very much most of there vinyl.i saw them live with Hugh.Thank god.my personal opinion never the same without Hugh.He was the back bone.Great voice great frontman.jj.jett.dave.hugh.were and still in my heart the best.They all fitted well together.i won't go and see them anymore.

[@francois_borne]

Hugh was the real Stranglers ....

[@jonathanlewis453]

Vinyl is a real record. Nobody’s stopping you from playing it. When HC left, my eldest child could barely walk. Nowadays we all have lines on our face and my youngest Grandchild seems to enjoy dancing to them. Sorry to disappoint you but there is no holy grail of true devotion to the Stranglers even if you are disposed that way.

[@theart8039]

JJ my hero has become old but it happens to everyone if they're lucky enough

[@bristolfashion4421]

Many are like that. Often you think otherwise. But actually, all grow old, crumble and fade away - mainly in search of sensible items such as curry and nice snuggly dogs, perhaps?

[@GodfreyTempleton]

Why did Cornwell leave?

[@robertwatson5104]

Because Burnel was up his own arse and still is

[@Black.Sabbath]

Because he thought he could make it on his own. 😂

[@TheS4jordan]

.....I know from someone close to the band at the time, they were gutted and felt abandoned when Hugh thought he could do it without the rest of them forgetting there was also someone behind the Drums, Bass and Keyboards, oh those keyboards, there will never be another album like 'rattus', so structured and what a journey to be spat out at the end in the sewer of boredom

[@TransSpewMan]

The band had run its coarse they went from best band in the world to a soft pop act.

[@garyhitchcock3828]

​@@TransSpewMan💯% The rot had set in around the Aural Sculpture period with the introduction of that awful brass section & Drum machines.Saw them in June 89 a spent force & what came next even worse.

[@steverushton8193]

Just never the same without Hugh what a great pity it all ended this way.

[@Rob1nson]

He’s an older man now chatting shit. JJ and Hugh WERE The Strangers and even though i have continued to follow both separately neither advanced another step musically and both continue to play mainly the so gs they wrote together. Says it all. Shame but question of egos being misshapen which is one reason The Stranglers existed in the first place. We should celebrate that…

[@user-xf9vl5ex4z]

I met Hugh after a concert & the bloke was totally unpleasant . Obviously doesn't respect his old fans.

[@GodfreyTempleton]

Gosh, bit revealing.

[@hammondauger]

Totally agree asked for an autograph at a CCW gig he said sure when he saw it was a Stranglers 45 he then refused plus a total arse on other occasions that I wont bore you with. Never meet your Heroes.

[@GodfreyTempleton]

How depressing. Thank you for the comment.@@hammondauger

[@richardslade836]

@@hammondauger yeah but imagine how boring it is, if every fcker whos living in the past keeps sticking your old music under your nose for a signature..... maybe you were that bore who took along an old record to gig..... seriously what kind of person does that

[@robertwatson5104]

I met him at Gatwick Airport,, and he was very friendly signing autographs etc

[@QualeQualeson]

It was this guy, it was that guy. I'm not sure that it really matters all that much. The Stranglers went through at least 3 phases while Cornwell was still in the band. They had to keep moving, and the glory days were behind them regardless. Having Burnel and Cornwell be the best of friends and The Stranglers keep generating that same quality (rock) forever would be great, but that's just not how reality works. For anyone.

[@gravm]

Why do bands need to go on forever? 10 years max then knock it on the head. This country is turning into a living nostalgia trip.

[@paulbartholomew3334]

Unlikely that the original line-up would stay together for 50 years, so we should be thankful this version of The Stranglers is still going and the last album was excellent. It was Hugh’s choice to leave, so the others were within their rights to continue under The Stranglers banner.

[@gerardmccavana4905]

Good words

[@essexpaul6423]

Hugh went on to do some great music in as jj puts it a different dynamic. He couldn't have achieved what he has while still being in the stranglers

[@BlahDBlahDBlah]

I saw Hugh Cornwell (supporting Wilko Johnson) a few years back; he trotted out some flat, pedestrian versions of songs made famous by the Stranglers, and came back out to do an encore nobody asked for.

[@Black.Sabbath]

Lmao

[@turokforever007]

That's why he left, he didn't want them to sound the same night after night.

[@signalchannel1043]

I AM going to see Huge Cornwell on 28th of April in The Netherlands, I Will never go to see The Stranglers without him.

[@BarefootPeasant]

I went to see Hugh about 10 or 12 yrs ago on my birthday. The show was great, and Hugh was so gracious afterwards. It was his mum's birthday too, she was 96.

[@marcchrys]

Your loss. I've seen The Stranglers twice without Hugh and they were great. I've seen Hugh too. Are we kids in the playground or grownups?

[@MrBathcity]

Your loss then. The 'latest' version of The Stranglers is just as energetic as the original version with Hugh, and more recent songs like 'Relentless' are up there with the early material, with Dave's (RIP) swirling keyboards and JJ's pounding bass. I've seen Hugh live a few times, playing to small crowds, and he's just going through the motions; almost karaoke Stranglers. It's actually rather embarrassing.

[@realsinisterminister]

When Hugh left the Stranglers were over

[@MrBathcity]

Really? I've seen them with Baz Warne on guitar/vocals several times in the last 10 years, and they are very much alive and kicking. Hugh, on the other hand, has resorted to slowed-down crooning or karaoke versions of Stranglers' classics.

[@realsinisterminister]

@@MrBathcity Well call me old fashioned but when there gets to be just 1 or 2 original members.......I just don't care.its a tribute act

[@DrDoobius]

After Hugh left, the Stranglers just became their own cover band imo

[@robertwatson5104]

When Hugh left it was game over JJ and you know it

[@garyhitchcock3828]

💯% But Burnel saw there was stll $ 🤑 signs in using the Stranglers brand name for his ersatz showband version.Pure greed.

[@Klaus80804]

@@garyhitchcock3828 Well you could say that for almost every classic band that is still touring with one or two original members. If there is a demand for it why not. See, there are young folks who never had the chance to see the original band live and for them it is great to a get the chance to see what is still around. Plus a lot of older people prefer to see the heroes of the youth instead of going to a Taylor Swift concert.

[@martinhinchcliffe1393]

You would do well to work with Hugh again .. Baz is ok and that’s about it … I find him irritating that he’s been in the band that long and still has zero identity.

[@robertwatson5104]

Well said

[@TransSpewMan]

He is a session musician in the cold light of day.

[@TransSpewMan]

@JacktheFilmFanatic-vu1nk Baz obviously had no input/contribution in the real stranglers ten studio albums up to Hugh leaving.I have never listened to any material since without Hugh.To me it is like replacing a family member with an imposter it does not work.I think thats what he means.Would you replace your dad with a stranger and carry on as normal ?

[@tago69mago671]

I'm a massive Stranglers fan and have been since Rattus but in reality the Stranglers peaked with The Raven, made a few good but not great albums after and tbh, live in concert Hugh looked bored out his head for the last 2 years. Think Hugh wanted to try other things and the rest of the band, I think he felt, sometimes had to be dragged screaming into his way of thinking, so he got frustrated. Wish they could have stayed together and written more great music but Hugh's heart wasn't in it anymore. I gave up when Paul Roberts joined. Total embarrassment and a real kick in the teeth.

[@TransSpewMan]

Agree with what you say,I went to see Stranglers at Leeds very shortly after Hugh left I did not even know, after enquiring I walked out of the place on the first number....Threatened.I think whichever member left just happens it was Hugh they should have called it a day as The Stranglers will only ever be Hugh,Jet,JJ,Dave.

[@AndyGait]

I loved Paul. He bright a real energy back to the live gigs. The last few years with Hugh had been quite dull. Very much painting by numbers as a live act. I think 'About Time' and 'Stranglers in the Night' are very good albums too.

[@charleigh195]

Love JJ and all the guys sadly the truth is the Stranglers are no more without the original four monsters.

[@janicelehane6373]

Three words...paul roberts no!

[@Unbroken1962]

Grow up how? What have grand children got to do with anything. You sound irked with JJ

[@bitlobutlergnort822]

C'mon, it's been over 33 years now and this guy still can't fathom why thier creative force(Hugh), decided to leave a band he felt he had no connection to after 1983. You're 71, and you have grandchildren. Isn't it time for you to grow up?

[@babycharliebrown]

Hugh was the talent. He was the bass player. Enough said.

[@MrBathcity]

I loved the early Stranglers, but their last two albums with Hugh (Dreamtime, and Ten) were awful. They'd clearly run out of ideas and enthusiasm - and their last two singles were note-for-note cover versions which added nothing to the originals. Just watch their final gig with Hugh, at the Alexandra Palace - with that awful jazzy brass section - and Hugh was visibly bored and going through the motions; he looked half asleep for most of the gig. It was embarrassing. It was clear that this version of the band had reached the end of the road - they were barely a faint shadow of their former selves.

[@robertwatson5104]

Was my bass hero then I found out he was a bit of a bore

[@theravenofgenetix1979]

Hes still the greatest bass player of all time asides from being a little to boring nowadays

[@lightninggaming476]

Actually - true...Hugh wasn't cutting it....Baz has been amazing and a better Hugh than Hugh with the material from the early years...

[@Chrisamusic1]

Hugh Cornwell wrote all the great guitar lines that have given Barry (not even the best guitarist in the Toy Dolls) a living. The true mark of a guitarist is in their writing skills. Hugh was leagues above 'Baz'.

[@toffeeriot4219]

@@Chrisamusic1 Hugh was a very imaginative guitarist.

[@nicolagianaroli2024]

@@toffeeriot4219 Correct. Everybody praise Dave and JJ quite rightly so however it was not easy to blend a guitar in between and still providing a quality contribution (I mean, who cares about guitar in group like Japan as a comparison?). Hugh succeeded and it is quite an achievement

[@wolfenstein6676]

Baz is far better than Cornwell ever was, that much is obvious from the live gigs alone. Pop star wannabe Cornwell was dragging the band down year after year and they lost their original identity. Baz has helped to restored that identity and they're selling out gigs to this day. Toby and Jim are also excellent.

[@Chrisamusic1]

@@wolfenstein6676 Mate, Hugh wrote all the lines that are giving Barry a living. Being technically better is just bollocks as there's always someone better than someone else. For me, the mark of a good guitarist is in the writing, the choice of notes, the riffs. Hugh was top notch on all counts. Baz can't compete on that score. 🫤

[@christophercurtis2893]

The man who slagged off Trump

[@urbanbowman61]

I saw Hugh's leaving as a betrayal says JJ after beating him up and genuinely behaving appallingly towards him. Always trying to be the edgy tough guy. Much as I love JJ's bass playing-I became a pro bass player because of his influence- Hugh gets my sympathy. Thankfully JJ seems to have melowed but being in a band with this ego must have been hell at times, he's has always been up his own arse (when he wasn't up Steve Strange's). They've done nothing memorable since he left. Hugh is one of the great English song writers in my opinion but is ignored by the wider music press whereas The Stranglers are now a tribute band. Not a likeable guy at all.

[@childwallred]

Thank you! about time someone said that,JJB was a bully