They formed from members of Beau Leisure, with Floreale and Farrington writing early material. Mann joined after they spotted him performing as a beat poet.
Band Duration
Active from 1986 to 1990 (4 years as original trio). They released one self-titled album in 1988 but disbanded after limited success beyond "The Promise." As of 2012, separate groups used the name, but the core lineup ended in 1990.
Born in 1957 in Wigan, England, Clive Farrington is the lead vocalist of When in Rome. He fronted the Manchester-based band Beau Leisure in the early 1980s before its members dispersed. In 1986, Farrington teamed up with Michael Floreale to form When in Rome, drawing from their shared new wave influences. "The Promise" was inspired by his personal breakup, with lyrics he co-wrote. Post-1990 disbandment, Farrington pursued solo work and session singing, contributing to tracks for artists like T'Pau and appearing in films. By the 2000s, he reformed a version of the band for tours, releasing a second album, Turn It Up (2009). Now in his late 60s, he resides in the US, occasionally performing synth-pop revival sets. Limited public details exist on his personal life, but he's credited with keeping the band's legacy alive through licensing deals in media like Grand Theft Auto.
Andrew Mann
Andrew Mann, born around the mid-1960s in the UK, joined When in Rome in 1987 as a vocalist and lyricist after Farrington and Floreale saw him perform beat poetry in Manchester. His spoken-word style added a unique edge to the band's demos. He co-wrote much of their debut album's lyrics, including "The Promise," but had a minimal role in production. Mann left shortly after the 1988 album release amid creative differences and the band's declining momentum. Post-When in Rome, he vanished from the music spotlight, with no verified solo releases or public appearances. Rumors suggest he returned to poetry or non-music pursuits in the UK; by 2012, he was absent from reunion efforts. At 60ish today, Mann remains a reclusive figure, contributing to the band's "one-hit wonder" mystique without further discography.
Michael Floreale
Michael Floreale, a Manchester native born in the late 1950s, was the keyboardist and primary composer for When in Rome. A classically trained musician, he played in local synth bands before replacing a member of Beau Leisure in 1986, where he met Farrington. Floreale programmed the iconic synth lines for "The Promise" using Roland and Linn gear, shaping their polished new wave sound. He handled most arrangements on the 1988 album. After the 1990 split, due to poor sales, he shifted to production and session work, collaborating on house and electronic projects in the UK club scene. In the 2000s, he joined Farrington for sporadic tours but declined full reunions. Now in his mid-60s, Floreale lives privately in England, occasionally licensing his compositions. He's noted for influencing 80s synth-pop but has avoided interviews, focusing on behind-the-scenes music tech.
When in Rome was a British new wave synth-pop band formed in 1986, known for their one major hit, "The Promise."
Song Details
Stream it on Spotify or check Wikipedia for full discography. #music
Who were the band members? How long was the band together?
Band Members
When in Rome originally consisted of:
They formed from members of Beau Leisure, with Floreale and Farrington writing early material. Mann joined after they spotted him performing as a beat poet.
Band Duration
Active from 1986 to 1990 (4 years as original trio). They released one self-titled album in 1988 but disbanded after limited success beyond "The Promise." As of 2012, separate groups used the name, but the core lineup ended in 1990.
Give me a biography on each of the original band members, with as much depth as you can.
Clive Farrington
Born in 1957 in Wigan, England, Clive Farrington is the lead vocalist of When in Rome. He fronted the Manchester-based band Beau Leisure in the early 1980s before its members dispersed. In 1986, Farrington teamed up with Michael Floreale to form When in Rome, drawing from their shared new wave influences. "The Promise" was inspired by his personal breakup, with lyrics he co-wrote. Post-1990 disbandment, Farrington pursued solo work and session singing, contributing to tracks for artists like T'Pau and appearing in films. By the 2000s, he reformed a version of the band for tours, releasing a second album, Turn It Up (2009). Now in his late 60s, he resides in the US, occasionally performing synth-pop revival sets. Limited public details exist on his personal life, but he's credited with keeping the band's legacy alive through licensing deals in media like Grand Theft Auto.
Andrew Mann
Andrew Mann, born around the mid-1960s in the UK, joined When in Rome in 1987 as a vocalist and lyricist after Farrington and Floreale saw him perform beat poetry in Manchester. His spoken-word style added a unique edge to the band's demos. He co-wrote much of their debut album's lyrics, including "The Promise," but had a minimal role in production. Mann left shortly after the 1988 album release amid creative differences and the band's declining momentum. Post-When in Rome, he vanished from the music spotlight, with no verified solo releases or public appearances. Rumors suggest he returned to poetry or non-music pursuits in the UK; by 2012, he was absent from reunion efforts. At 60ish today, Mann remains a reclusive figure, contributing to the band's "one-hit wonder" mystique without further discography.
Michael Floreale
Michael Floreale, a Manchester native born in the late 1950s, was the keyboardist and primary composer for When in Rome. A classically trained musician, he played in local synth bands before replacing a member of Beau Leisure in 1986, where he met Farrington. Floreale programmed the iconic synth lines for "The Promise" using Roland and Linn gear, shaping their polished new wave sound. He handled most arrangements on the 1988 album. After the 1990 split, due to poor sales, he shifted to production and session work, collaborating on house and electronic projects in the UK club scene. In the 2000s, he joined Farrington for sporadic tours but declined full reunions. Now in his mid-60s, Floreale lives privately in England, occasionally licensing his compositions. He's noted for influencing 80s synth-pop but has avoided interviews, focusing on behind-the-scenes music tech.