A major UK act in the early '80s, new-wave rocker Adam Ant has had an

influence on a number of modern-rock bands.

Ant was born Stuart Leslie Goddard on Nov. 3, 1954, in London.

Beginning in 1976, singer/guitarist Ant played in various bands in Britain.

Adam and the Ants formed in 1977 when Ant hooked up with bassist Andy

Warren.

The band's music was guitar-focused, adrenalized pop/rock with Burundian

rhythms and was highlighted by the members' theatrical appearances —

exaggerated garb and face painting reminiscent of pirate and Native

American dress.

The Ants adopted their unusual style to attract attention after the failure

of their first album, Dirk Wears White Sox (1979). Former Sex Pistols

manager Malcolm McLaren became involved in Ant's career around that time

and helped fashion the Ants' wardrobe and their evolving sound. Eventually,

however, McLaren coaxed all of the Ants — except Adam — to leave

the group and form Bow Wow Wow.

Adam Ant then put together a new lineup of the Ants, featuring guitarist

Marco Pirroni, bassist Kevin Mooney, and drummers Terry Lee Miall and

Merrick (born Chris Hughes). Pirroni co-developed the band's "Antpeople"

personas and worked with Ant well into the '90s.

This lineup scored in the UK with Kings of the Wild Frontier (1980),

which didn't sell well in the U.S., despite heavy promotion. The same

fate befell Prince Charming (1981). The former album's single,

"Ant Music," received airplay in the U.S. and was a smash in the UK.

Ant then jettisoned the band to go solo on Friend or Foe (1982).

The single "Goody Two Shoes" (RealAudio

excerpt) topped the charts in Britain and went to #12 in the U.S.

Ant's subsequent albums did not fare so well, as his musical career lost

steam. He then turned to acting in films such as "Slamdance" and "Cold

Steel" and in the television show "The Equalizer."

Ant's "Room at the Top" was played on the radio in 1990, but his album

Manners & Physique, didn't catch on with the public. After a

moderately successful comeback tour in 1993, Ant issued the pop-heavy

Wonderful (1995). It featured such songs as the title track,

"Beautiful Dream," "Gotta Be a Sin" and "Very Long Ride."

Though the LP wasn't a blockbuster, Ant's influence was heard in the music

of such bands as Nine Inch Nails (with whom he guested onstage several

times) and Elastica.

Last year, Sony Music issued the Ant collection Super Hits. A

long-delayed box set of Ant music is in the works, but a much-rumored

reunion seems unlikely.

Earlier this year, Ant appeared in the VH1 film "Sweetwater," about a

'60s rock band.

Other birthdays Wednesday: Brian Poole (Tremeloes), 58; Nick Simper

(formerly of Deep Purple), 53; and Lulu, 51.