Forming in Liverpool in 1978, Echo & The Bunnymen quickly defined themselves as one of the leading post-punk bands, with pulsating, guitar-driven tunes and darkly intense performances. Later moving toward lush orchestral pop, the band racked up 19 hit singles and albums 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.