Adam and the Ants

Adam and the Ants were an English rock band that formed in London in 1977. Two versions of the band, both fronted by Adam Ant, existed between 1977 and 1982. The first was founded in May 1977 and called the Ants until November of that year. They later changed their style from punk rock to post-punk and new wave and released one album.

The final line-up of this incarnation consisted of Adam Ant, Dave Barbarossa, Matthew Ashman, and Leigh Gorman — all of whom except Ant left in January 1980 at the suggestion of manager Malcolm McLaren to form Bow Wow Wow.

Following this, a second version of Adam and the Ants was formed, with only Ant himself remaining from the original band. It also included guitarist Marco Pirroni and drummer-and-producer Chris Hughes and was noted for its use of Burundi drums. This incarnation existed from February 1980 to March 1982 and achieved significant commercial success in the UK. With their music videos receiving airplay on MTV and Ant appearing as a guest VJ on the station, they are associated in the United States with the Second British Invasion.

In March 1982, Adam and the Ants was disbanded and Ant embarked on a solo career, although he continued working with Pirroni.