Picture this: A cheeky Leeds lad gets booted from school at 16, dreams of becoming an artist, but ends up creating one of the most addictive rock anthems of the ’90s instead. That’s Royston William Langdon in a nutshell – the enigmatic frontman whose voice made “In the Meantime” an absolute banger that still gets crowds jumping nearly three decades later.
This isn’t your typical rags-to-riches story. Royston (or “Ray Sprinkles” to his mates, and “LEEDS” to his solo fans) took the scenic route to rock stardom – via church choir, art school rejection, and a New York City adventure that turned a Yorkshire lad into the face of glam rock revival.
Quick Facts About Royston Langdon
| Full Name | Royston William Langdon |
| Stage Names | Ray Sprinkles, LEEDS |
| Born | 1st May 1972 |
| Birthplace | Leeds, West Yorkshire, England |
| Age | 53 years old |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter, bassist, multi-instrumentalist |
| Genres | Glam rock, alternative rock |
| Active Years | 1994–present |
| Famous For | Lead singer of Spacehog, “In the Meantime” hit single |
| Net Worth | £3.2 million ($4 million) |
Biography
Born on 1st May 1972 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Royston grew up in a working-class family with strong musical roots. His father, Chester Langdon, worked for British Rail, whilst his mother, Cynthia, nurtured the family’s creative spirit. Growing up alongside his two brothers – Christian (also known as Kid Symphony) and Antony Chester (nicknamed Tone Down) – music was always part of the Langdon household.
The musical journey began early for young Royston. Together with his older brother Antony, he joined the Leeds Parish Church choir, where they first discovered their vocal talents. These early experiences singing in the church would later influence their harmonious approach to rock music.
Originally, Royston harboured dreams quite different from rock stardom. He was passionate about visual arts, particularly admiring the works of David Hockney, Lucian Freud, and Francis Bacon. His artistic aspirations led him to dream of studying at the prestigious Saint Martin’s School of Art in London. However, fate had other plans – at just 16, he was expelled from school in 1988, a setback that would ultimately redirect his path toward music.
Birth of Spacehog
When Spacehog burst onto the scene in the mid-’90s, they weren’t just another British band trying their luck across the pond. They were sonic alchemists, mixing David Bowie’s glitter with T. Rex’s swagger and serving it up with a distinctly Northern English twist that had both critics and punters absolutely buzzing.
1994 marked the beginning of something special. At 22, Royston made the bold decision to leave England behind and join his brother Antony in New York City. Initially working as a sound engineer at Baby Monster Studios from 1994 to 1995, he was already immersed in the music scene when opportunity knocked.
The formation of Spacehog reads like a classic “meant to be” story. Antony met drummer Jonny Cragg in a New York café – rather fittingly, Cragg was working as a rat exterminator at the time! Despite all members hailing from Leeds, they first came together on foreign soil, bonding over their shared Yorkshire roots in the bustling metropolis of New York.
The lineup was completed when Cragg brought in his mate Richard Steel, creating the definitive Spacehog quartet that would soon take the rock world by storm.
Career
Spacehog’s breakthrough came with lightning speed. After catching the attention of Sire Records’ legendary president Seymour Stein, the band released their debut album “Resident Alien” on 24th October 1995. This wasn’t just any ordinary debut – it was a masterclass in ’90s alternative rock that would define a generation.
The album achieved remarkable commercial success, earning gold certification on 29th July 1996. Royston’s contributions were nothing short of extraordinary – he handled vocals, bass guitar, Moog synthesizer, Hammond organ, piano, and Magnus chord organ, whilst penning 10 of the album’s 13 tracks.
In the Meantime
The crown jewel of “Resident Alien” was undoubtedly “In the Meantime.” The rock anthem didn’t just climb the charts – it conquered them. The track reached number one on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, holding the top spot for an impressive four weeks. It also claimed the number one position on the UK Rock & Metal charts.
But the song’s influence extended far beyond chart success. “In the Meantime” became the soundtrack to the BBC’s Match of the Day football programme and found its way into numerous films, including the recent blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (2023), the Netflix series “Everything Sucks!” (2018), and “The Space Between” (2021).
Following their debut success, Spacehog continued to evolve their sound:
“The Chinese Album” (1998) showed the band’s growth, featuring singles like “Mungo City” and “Carry On.” After parting ways with Elektra Records, they signed with Artemis Records and released “The Hogyssey” in 2001, which included the notable track “I Want to Live.”
“As It Is on Earth” (2013) proved their creativity. AllMusic perfectly captured Spacehog’s essence, noting how they “mixed glam rock influences, including David Bowie and T. Rex, into their wall-of-distorted-guitars sound, a combination that helped the band make a dent in the late-’90s alternative rock scene.”
Solo Ventures and LEEDS Project
Royston launched his solo career under the moniker LEEDS (a loving nod to his hometown). His 2018 debut solo album, “Everything’s Dandy” reveals a more introspective side of his artistry. This nine-track collection, featuring singles “Someone” and “What Became of the People,” blends futuristic pop with down-home sensibilities – a unique sound that Billboard premiered and critics praised.
The album reflects Royston’s personal journey and his 25 years living in New York, offering fans a glimpse into his more vulnerable, contemplative side. He supported the release with extensive touring across both the US and UK between 2018-2019 and another EP release, Chains, in October 2021.
Personal Life
Royston’s personal life gained significant media attention during his marriage to acclaimed American actress Liv Tyler.
Liv and Royston got engaged on Valentine’s Day in 2001 and had a small wedding in the Caribbean at a private villa in Barbados on March 23, 2003.
Tyler was around 26, while Langdon was around 31 at the time of their wedding.
Their union blessed them with a son, Milo William Langdon, born on 14th December 2004 in Manhattan, New York.
Everyone thought the Hollywood actress and her British musician husband had a super strong marriage following comments by Tyler, who, during an interview with Hot Stuff in February 2008, said she did not believe in divorce.
Breakup with Liv
Speculations about a rift in their marriage began when Tyler went to a fancy party without her wedding ring. In 2008, Usmagazine.com was informed by someone who overheard the actress on the phone with a lawyer.
In the discussion, Tyler said she believes she married too young and referred to her spouse as a “leech” on her finances.
Around 2008, Royston’s band, Spacehog, was going through a rough patch.
Tyler’s spokesperson confirmed the split and mentioned they’re still good friends and caring for their son, Milo William Langdon.
Langdon’s and Tyler’s split was finalized in 2009. Ending their marriage of five years, which began in 2003.
Live Tyler spoke to Wonderland magazine in 2009 during an interview about her divorce:
She said; ”There’s nothing worse than heartache, being lovesick. It’s like there’s a physical sickness. You through a couple of weeks where you think, “Oh, I’m OK, I feel better,” and then suddenly, out of nowhere, it hits you again.“
Though their marriage ended in April 2008, both parents remain committed to co-parenting their son. Liv Tyler, with her impressive net worth of $25 million from her successful acting career, continues to be a significant figure in their son’s life.
Net Worth
Royston Langdon’s estimated net worth stands at £3.2 million ($4 million), a testament to his successful music career spanning nearly three decades. This wealth accumulates from various sources:
- Album sales and royalties from Spacehog’s four studio albums
- Touring revenue from extensive world tours with legendary bands like Oasis, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Black Crowes
- Songwriting credits for hit singles, particularly “In the Meantime”
- Film soundtrack contributions for movies including “D3: The Mighty Ducks” (1996), “The Craft” (1996), “I’m Still Here” (2010), and “Fanboys” (2009)
- Solo project earnings from his LEEDS venture
Notable Achievements
- Gold-certified debut album “Resident Alien”
- Number one hit on US Mainstream Rock Charts
- International chart success across US, Canada, UK, and Australia
- Toured with rock legends and alternative icons
- Successful transition from band leader to solo artist
- Continued relevance with soundtrack placements in major films
What’s Next For Royston?
“Oh yeah, I’m totally done with Spacehog,” Royston states matter-of-factly when asked about the band’s future. At 53, he’s managing his own career with mature consideration, determined not to get “swept away again.”
His vision extends beyond traditional touring. He dreams of creating installation art pieces inspired by New York’s New Museum, combining music with visual elements. “There’s almost a kind of installation art piece that plays in my mind… I’d love to be able to bring that in.”
The LEEDS project continues to evolve with plans for intimate performances that prioritize honesty over spectacle. “What I love about playing on my own and having just the piano or a guitar is I can just surround the song how I want to do it in that moment, and it probably would never be the same twice. A bit more like theater as opposed to film.”
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