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Tina Charles
Biography
Session vocalist Tina Charles was no stranger to music by the time she partnered with Martin Jay in 5000 Volts, in 1975, to score the international hit "I'm on Fire." Charles and Jay already had some time together under their belts in the little-remembered band Northern Lights, while she also released a string of unsuccessful singles for CBS during 1969-1970: "Nothing in the World," "In the Middle of the Day," "Good to Be Alive," and "Bo-Bo's Party." Another early outfit, Wild Honey, cut a brace of 45s for Gordon Mills' MAM label during 1971-1972. Solo again by 1974, Charles signed with Bell and released "One Broken Heart for Sale," while also working as a vocalist for the Top of the Pops series of hit cover albums; she appears on around a dozen volumes in the redoubtable series, recorded between 1973-1975.

In 1975, Charles reunited with her old Northern Lights partner Martin Jay as Airbus. When their debut single "Bye Love" was flipped by their UK imprint Philips (who also christened them the more electrifying 5000 Volts), the B-side "I'm on Fire" became a major worldwide hit. More importantly, it brought her to the attention of the singularly named, and fast-rising disco producer Biddu.
Selected Discography