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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZLINDISFARNEUK folk-rock band formed in Newcastle late '60s, named after the island off Northumberland. Lineup: Alan Hull (b 20 Feb. '45; d 19 Nov. '95), vocals and guitar; Rod Clements (b 17 Nov. '47), bass; Ray Jackson (b 12 Dec. '48) harp and mandolin; Simon Cowe (b 1 April '48), guitar; Ray Laidlaw (b 28 May '48), drums. Hull had been a solo folksinger, worked in groups the Chosen Few and Downtown Faction, which became Brethren, then Lindisfarne, with Hull contributing most of the material. Nicely Out Of Tune '70 characterized their good-time folk-rock incl. anthemic 'We Can Swing Together'. Bob Johnston prod. Fog On The Tyne '71: no. 1 LP UK, still regarded as their best: title song remained concert favourite, while Johnston's work with Bob Dylan was evident in 'Meet Me On The Corner' and 'Passing Ghosts'. Dingley Dell '72 disappointed, but Lindisfarne Live '73 showed why they were a favourite live act. Hull's solo Pipe Dream '73 was good collection of songs; he fronted a reconstituted Lindisfarne on Roll On Ruby '73 and Happy Daze '74 without a lot of success: Clements, Cowe and Laidlaw had left to form Jack the Lad, recorded Jack The Lad and Old Straight Track '74 before Clement went on to session with Bert Jansch, Ralph McTell, etc. Hull's Squire '75 was a worthy successor to Pipe Dream. Jackson was in demand for sessions with Rod Stewart, Long John Baldry, Peter Hammill, etc. Finest Hour '75 was a good compilation of the band's work on Charisma. Retained a fanatical following in northeast England; reunions beginning Christmas '76 became an annual Newcastle ritual: Back And Fourth was an energetic reunion of the original lineup mid-'78 ('Run For Home' was UK top ten hit on Mercury, their biggest hit in USA at no. 33 on Atco); Magic In The Air late '78, The News '79, Sleepless Night '82, Lindisfarntastic Vols I and II '84, Dance Your Life Away '86 kept fans happy, but C'mon Everybody '87 was an untypical album of rock'n'roll covers, and in '90 they made a record with footballer Paul Gascoigne. Multi-instrumentalist Steve Dogget was a new member. The well-liked Hull died suddenly of a heart attack; obits gave his birthday as 14 February. |