[2] The band played gigs around the Manchester scene, whilst at the same time recording demo tapes in local studios.
Local funk DJ Mike Shaft became their mentor, playing 52nd Street demos on his Piccadilly Radio shows.
With both major labels increasing the pressure to talk to the as-yet manager-less 52nd Street, bass player Derrick Johnson instead contacted Rob Gretton, co-owner of Factory Records and a former DJ (the connection was through Johnson's brother Donald, the drummer for Factory act A Certain Ratio).
[3] "Cool as Ice" (backed with "Twice as Nice") was not released in the UK, although the song gained a top 30 Billboard Dance Chart position.
[4] A&M flew the band to the US to promote the release, playing live club dates mainly on the east side of the country, including two nights at the Danceteria in New York City.
While major labels including A&M (UK) were starting to show interest, certain band members felt loyal to the Factory organisation.
[5] Vocalist Beverley McDonald departed and promptly began contributing to Quando Quango's LP Pigs and Battleships.
[6] McDonald was replaced by Diane Charlemagne (later lead vocalist with Moby and would go on to bigger UK success with the Urban Cookie Collective).
Both those additional tracks, "Look I've Heard it all Before" and "Available", were re-recorded and released on the band's 1986 Virgin debut album titled Children of the Night.
Profile Records heard "Can't Afford" on constant rotation in New York night clubs and noted that A&M had declined to exercise the option.
In December 1984, a Factory Records management meeting took place at which Reade was sacked and told to leave the offices without the band.
[5] "Can't Afford" was an even a bigger US success than "Cool as Ice," entering the top 20 on the Billboard Dance Chart in early 1985.
After deliberation and against the wishes of both Gretton and Wilson, 52nd Street followed Lindsay Reade and left Factory Records in January 1985.
In late 1987, Dennison co-wrote the dance hit single "Girls Can Jak Too" with his sister Susan (released under the name 'Zuzan'), produced by Mike Pickering.