<Tr> <Th> Past members </Th> <Td> See below </Td> </Tr> <P> Thompson Twins were a British pop band that formed in April 1977 . Initially a new wave group, they switched to a more mainstream pop sound and achieved considerable popularity from 1983, scoring a string of hits in the United Kingdom, the United States, and around the globe . In 1993, they changed their name to Babble, to reflect their change in music from new wave to dub - influenced chill - out . </P> <P> The band was named after the two bumbling detectives Thomson and Thompson in Hergé's comic strip The Adventures of Tintin . At various stages, the band had up to seven members, but their most known incarnation was as a trio between 1982 and 1986 . They became a prominent act in the Second British Invasion, and in 1985, the band performed at Live Aid, where they were joined onstage by Madonna . </P> <P> In 1977, the original Thompson Twins line - up consisted of Tom Bailey (born 18 January 1956, Halifax, Yorkshire) on bass and vocals, Pete Dodd on guitar and vocals, John Roog on guitar, and Jon Podgorski (known as "Pod") on drums . Dodd and Roog first met when they were both 13 years old . </P>

Where did the thompson twins get their name from