10cc were a pop band formed in the UK by Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, all four of whom are multi-instrumentalists, vocalists, writers and producers. After a variety of guises, including The Whirlwinds and Frabjoy, they took the name 10cc in 1972. Legend surrounds the naming of the band, mostly related to the supposed volume of male ejaculate, (which is closer to 3ccs than 10ccs). The reality is somewhat less exciting, the name came to the bands’ record label (UK Records) owner, Jonathan King, in a dream, when he saw the bands’ name in lights, and decided that success would be attached to the name.
The original 10cc recorded four albums, of which The Original Soundtrack achieved the highest chart placing. All their albums produced a string of Top 10 singles, although they had more success in the UK than the States with singles such as “Donna”, “Rubber Bullets”, “I’m Not In Love” and “Dreadlock Holiday”. The band split in 1976, when Godley & Creme left to form their own successful double act. Gouldman and Stewart carried on as 10cc, drafting in musicians including Paul McCartney, Stuart Tosh, Andrew Gold as required.
The band took a break in 1983, returning ten years later with two more albums before dissolving, apparently for good. Gouldman has toured off and on since 2004 with several ex-band members, calling themselves '10cc featuring Graham Gouldman and Friends'.
