Eddie & Sunshine

Eddie & Sunshine was the English electro-pop duo of vocalist Eddie Maelov and singer/keyboardist Sunshine Patteson, both formerly of Gloria Mundi. The pair issued two singles in 1981 on indie Human Records, followed by the 1983 album Perfect Strangers with three accompanying singles on DIY Survival Records.

Members: Eddie Maelov (vocals), Sunshine Patteson (vocals, keyboards)

Background

Eddie & Sunshine formed in London in late 1980 when singer Eddie Maelov (born Eddie Francis) and singer-keyboardist Sunshine Patteson continued their partnership after the breakup of Gloria Mundi.

Maelov and Patteson met at an Essex college in the early Seventies, where he studied drama and she Latin American literature. Maelov worked with violinist Billy Currie in Ritual Theatre, a fringe ensemble that combined music, mime, and drama. After separate pursuits, the pair reunited in London and developed plans for a rock opera during a trip to Paris. They advertised for collaborators in Melody Maker and teamed with singer John Foxx in an early incarnation of Tiger Lily, the precursor to Ultravox. They also introduced Currie to the nascent group.

Maelov and Patteson subsequently formed Gloria Mundi with saxophonist c.c., bassist Ice, drummer Mike Nicholls, and guitarist Beethoven. The group developed a theatrical stage act and played the 1977 Reading Festival. Gloria Mundi signed with RCA and made the 1978/79 albums I, Individual and The Word Is Out. Maelov served as chief writer while Patteson added occasional themes.

After Gloria Mundi dissolved, the pair retained a two-track tape machine and developed an electronic cabaret act with synthesizers, prerecorded backing, and theatrical routines. They debuted the format at a private video-studio opening, where the reception prompted a filmed performance. Eddie & Sunshine subsequently appeared at the Blitz Club and Richard Strange Cabaret Futura events.

In May 1981, the duo issued the Human single “Lines” (b/w “The Last Bouquet”), co-produced with engineer Gareth Jones at Pathway Studios. They contributed “Man for Sale” and “Echo” to the Martyrwell compilation Cabaret Futura: Fools Rush In Where Angels Dare to Tread and followed with the November Human single “Another Teardrop” (b/w “At the Cabaret”), accompanied by the twelve-inch track “Times Are Hard.”

Maelov and Patteson appeared with Foxx on Top of the Pops and opened for Ultravox on the 1981 Rage in Eden tour, which extended through 1982 continental dates. That summer, Eddie & Sunshine commenced sessions for a new single and album. They moved to Survival Records, the independent label established by Drinking Electricity musicians David Rome and Anne-Marie Heighway with Paul Edgley. In early 1983, the duo issued “All I See Is You” (b/w “Somewhere Else in Europe”) ahead of their first album, Perfect Strangers.

Discography:

• Perfect Strangers (1983)

Discography:

• “Another Teardrop” / “At the Cabaret” (1981)
• “Lines” / “The Last Bouquet” (1981)
• “Times Are Hard” (1981)
• “All I See Is You” / “Somewhere Else in Europe” (1983)
• “Perfect Stranger” / “Conversation Piece” (1983)
• “There’s Someone Following Me” / “Echo” (1983)

References and notes

• Smash Hits — November 26–December 9, 1981. Contemporary interview establishes the Essex college connection, Ritual Theatre, Billy Currie, the two-track machine, initial video performance, and early cabaret engagements. (Interview)
• Classic Rock — Eddie Maelov interview, September 26, 2026. Firsthand recollections of the Paris rock-opera project, John Foxx and Tiger Lily, Gloria Mundi recruitment, and Rod Smallwood management. (Interview)
• Gloria Mundi — artist-authorized album reissues, 2025. Confirms both RCA albums and the principal instrumental and vocal credits. (I, Individual; The Word Is Out)
• Smash Hits — November 12–25, 1981. Contemporary biographical notice dates the duo formation to late 1980 and identifies “Lines” as the first single. (Reader correspondence)
• 45cat — Human Records original singles. Documents the May 8, 1981, release of “Lines,” Gareth Jones production credit, and November 20 follow-up “Another Teardrop.” (Lines; Human discography)
• Cabaret Futura — Fools Rush In Where Angels Dare to Tread, Martyrwell, 1981. Original compilation credits identify “Man for Sale” and “Echo,” with Richard Strange as producer. (Pressing credits)
• New Musical Express — September 12, 1981. Contemporary John Foxx feature, reprinted in History of Rock, documents the appearance of Maelov and Patteson on Top of the Pops. (Archive, p. 107)
• Record Mirror — August 21, 1982. Contemporary concert notice confirms that the duo were preparing a new single and album while playing London dates. (Trade notice)
• Record Business — July 5, 1982. First-anniversary account establishes David Rome, Anne-Marie Heighway, and Paul Edgley as the founders of Survival Records. (Label history)
• 45cat — Survival Records discography; New Musical Express — May 28, 1983. Confirms the pre-album single “All I See Is You” and the May release of Perfect Strangers. (Singles; Album announcement)