Forming in Liverpool in 1978, Echo & The Bunnymen quickly defined themselves as one of the UK's leading post-punk bands, with pulsating, guitar-driven tunes and darkly intense performances. Later moving toward lush orchestral pop, the band racked up a dozen hit singles and four UK gold records by the end of the '80s. But in 1987 their success was cut short when singer Ian McCulloch left for a solo career and drummer Pete de Freitas was killed in a motorcycle accident. They reformed in 1997; original members McCulloch and Will Sergeant continue to tour and record with various other musicians.