Hugh Cornwell live on stage

FOUNDING member, songwriter and front man of The Stranglers, Hugh Cornwell, will be staging an acoustic concert at The Playhouse in Weston on March 9 featuring hit solo material and many of the band's biggest hits.The Stranglers were the most commercially successful band to emerge from the punk scene, having at least one hit every year between 1977 and 1992.Hugh started his career as a biochemistry graduate from Bristol University and he travelled to Gothenburg University in Sweden to pursue research. There he formed a band called Johnny Sox. Disillusioned with the politics of research and with a desire to make the band work, he persuaded the bass player to go to London with him in early 1974. Living in Guildford, Surrey, he got together with Jet Black and Dave Greenfield. When the bass player left the final piece of the band, JJ Burnel, joined and The Stranglers were born.They began playing gigs in London pubs and in 13 years enjoyed 10 top 20 albums and 21 top 40 singles. In 1990 Hugh decided to leave the band and pursue other musical projects. Over the past 18 years Hugh has released a number of solo albums to critical acclaim. * The Weston & Somerset Mercury has teamed up with The Playhouse to offer one lucky reader the chance to each win a pair of tickets to see Hugh Cornwell, The Stranglers and Beyond Acoustic Tour.To enter, please answer the following question: In which year did Hugh leave The Stranglers to pursue other projects? * Closes: 9am on February 29. * Usual Archant rules apply and the editor's decision is final.