Lindisfarne
This Newcastle, UK-based quintet—Alan Hull (b. 20 February 1945, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Tyne And Wear, England; vocals/guitar/piano), Simon Cowe (b. 1 April 1948, Jesmond Dene, Tyne And Wear, England; guitar), Ray Jackson (b. 12 December 1948, Wallsend, Tyne And Wear, England; harmonica/mandolin), Rod Clements (b. 17 November 1947, North Shields, Tyne And Wear, England; bass/violin) and Ray Laidlaw (b. 28 May 1948, North Shields, Tyne And Wear, England; drums)—was originally known as the Downtown Faction, but took the name Lindisfarne in 1968. Their debut NICELY OUT OF TUNE, was issued the following year and this brash mixture of folk-rock and optimistic harmonies is arguably the group's most satisfying set. The album contained the wistful and lyrically complex Lady Eleanor. Their popularity flourished with the release of FOG ON THE TYNE the humorous title track celebrating life in Newcastle and containing such verses as; ‘Sitting in a sleazy snack-bar sucking sickly sausage rolls’. The number 1 album's attendant single, Meet Me On The Corner reached the UK Top 5 in 1972 where it was followed by a re-released Lady Eleanor. FOG ON THE TYNE was produced by Bob Johnston, and although they pursued this relationship on a third selection, DINGLY DELL, the group was unhappy with his work and remixed the set prior to release. The final results were still disappointing, creatively and commercially, and tensions within the line-up were exposed during an ill-fated tour of the USA. In 1973, Laidlaw, Cowe and Clements left for a new venture, Jack The Lad. Kenny Craddock (keyboards), Charlie Harcourt (guitar), Tommy Duffy (bass) and Paul Nichols (drums) were brought in as replacements but this reconstituted line-up lacked the charm of its predecessor and was overshadowed by Alan Hull's concurrent solo career. A 1974 release, HAPPY DAZE, offered some promise, but Lindisfarne was disbanded the following year. The break, however, was temporary and the original quintet later resumed working together. They secured a recording deal with Mercury Records and in 1978 enjoyed a UK Top 10 single with Run For Home. Despite further releases, Lindisfarne was unable to repeat this success and subsequently reached an artistic nadir with C'MON EVERYBODY, a medley of rock ‘n’ roll party favourites with six of the group's own best-known songs saved for the finale. In November 1990, Lindisfarne were back in the UK charts, joined together with the England international footballer, and fellow Geordie, Paul Gascoigne. Their re-worked, and inferior, version of Fog On The Tyne reached number 2. Although they are now restricted to only the occasional chart success, the group's following remains strong, particularly in the northeast of England, and is manifested in their annual Christmas concerts.