Alongside Dave Wakeling, he jointly formed the ska band The Beat in 1978.[1] Some of their notable hits included "Mirror in the Bathroom", "Hands Off...She's Mine" and "Can't Get Used to Losing You". The Beat achieved eight Top 40 singles and three hit albums in the UK before announcing their break up in 1983.
In 1985 he joined fellow Beat member David Steele and singer Roland Gift, to form pop rock band Fine Young Cannibals.[2] In the late eighties the band (also known as FYC) released singles including "Johnny Come Home" (1985), "Suspicious Minds" (1986), "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" (1987), "She Drives Me Crazy" (1988), "Good Thing" (1989)[2] and others.
In 1988, while Fine Young Cannibals were on hiatus, Cox and Steele released the instrumental house music single, "Tired of Getting Pushed Around", under the name of Two Men, A Drum Machine and A Trumpet.[2] It reached No. 18 in the UK Singles Chart. That same year, they also collaborated with Wee Papa Girl Rappers debut single "Heat It Up" which peaked at No. 21.[2]
In 2002, Cox formed Cribabi with Japanese vocalist Yukari Fujiu and released the album Volume on his own Fidela record label.[3]
