Stuart Adamson Dead

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So, another name to add to the list of deaths this year. Former guitarist with the Skids and vocalist/guitarist with Big Country found dead in Hawaii after, I believe, having been missing for a while.

Remembered fondly. Or not. What d'ya think.

If nothing else will be remembered for making guitars sound like bagpipes

― mms, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Into the valley...

― mms, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i loved the the Skids and got wrong in maths for writing the logo on me exercise book - aggro kickin roolz

spooky as was played steeleye span's ^gaudete^ thand on me guitar wiv bagpipe sound on sunday

― albert tatlock, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Somewhat embarrassed to admit once owning and enjoying Big Country’s ‘Steel Town’: dreadful over-earnest 80s sub-U2 conscience rock, cold-war angst, working class anger, industrial decline etc. It didn’t last. Simon Reynolds, having far more taste, once placed them no.1 on a bands-you-hate-the-most list.

Still, Adamson’s death sounds a horrible, lonely way to go which I wouldn’t wish on anyone. RIP

― stevo, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Another reason to dislike Reynolds then. I saw lots of early Skids gigs, they were fantastic, inventive and exciting.

― Alexander Blair, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

this is sad news. i was a huge Big Country fan up until the third album but then started listening to other bands and realising what i was missing - like happily eating porridge for years and then suddenly realising that there are much nicer things to eat and you don't have to remain faithful to porridge. recently, my sister made me go to see them the last time they played in dublin, and it was a strange night, slightly depressing. my first proper piece of music writing was a very ambiguous-feeling review of this gig. i knew they were terrible, but it somehow felt like a betrayal to say so. most of my spleen was conveniently vented on truly-godawful support band The Alarm 2000 instead.

if nothing else, you have to admire a band who were as deeply unfashionable as Big Country were and yet didn't seem to give a toss. i think stuart adamson will be remembered fondly by BC fans, certainly, and also by people who rated The Skids.

― rener, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I have a certain fondness for early Big Country... there's an affecting melancholia to the music.

― DV, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

This is sad - though they were rubbish. Glenn McDonald on TWAS is a huge fan, along with his fondness for Marillion, Run Rig ....!

― Dr. C, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The idiosyncratic critic Glenn McDonald loved Big Country (and The Skids) and considers Steeltown one of the greatest albums ever made. I hardly agree with McDonald's valuation of a single record but his honesty and his willingness to stand apart from the herd compel respect. His has utter contempt for most rock criticism and his cogently argued explanations as to WHY it is worthless is completely persuasive. See

http://rockcritics.com/glenn_mcdonald_interview.html

― ArfArf, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

come on guys, the skids records with adamson were great and so were the first 2 or so Big Country LPs. Sure they had the bagpipe guitars but they also could stretch out on these extended celtic influenced almost prog-like songs (without traditional solos though). i.e. "The Crossing" - not on the album of the same name though. They really had an inventive guitar sound (not too mention the drums - definitely one of the best rock drummers), at least up until Steeltown (which is a great record IMHO), you may not love them but they were pretty unique. Most of the later stuff is kind of crappy though. Oh yeah, they were very earnest and they had that socialist/workers bent to most of their lyrics but Adamson did write some fine songs, musically and lyrically. Sorry to hear he died.

― g, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

do you think there is an alternate universe where Big Country are still massively successful on a global scale, while Bono has just been found dead in a flophouse in Hawaii?

― DV, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Probably. So what exactly is that supposed to mean?

― Marcello Carlin, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I had that Skids LP "Scared to Dance", and remember it being good. I may have made this up, but didn't he end up being a model?? As in clothes model?

― Sean, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I think you are probably thinking of Richard Jobson, also in the Skids, who did become a very successful model. I liked his (surprisingly self-aware) explanation of why he was so successful as a model - he said that he was a middle-aged guy who looked really good for his age, whereas the truth was that he was a young guy who looked 15 years older than he was.

― ArfArf, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Sorry that should have read that he "looked like a middle aged guy who looked really good for his age".

― ArfArf, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Richard Jobson became a very highly paid model, had some writings published, and was on TV a lot.

Listening to 'Steeltown' again for the first time in many years. I retract 'dreadful' but not 'over earnest'.

― stevo, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I lived in Dunfermline for a short time in the Summer of '85 and used to see him carrying his son around town. I always thought it was quietly impressive that he hadn't deserted his roots despite the sucess he'd had. I can't pretend I was a fan, though the Skids singles were pretty darn good, but I'm actually feeling pretty shocked by this.

― Billy Dods, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The Skids have been pretty much written out of history. I used to have a good singles comp of theirs on tape. Haven't heard them in years though.

― Dr. C, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

"Al-bert Tat-lock!"

― mark s, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

"They've got all the grim determination of weather-beaten Scottish clansmen" = the Skids according to a Top of the Pops annual at the time

― Robin Carmody, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

four months pass...

Stuart Adamson.............Legend!! No need to say anything else!

― Ric Tarr, Saturday, 4 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

What does this mean?

― N., Saturday, 4 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

three weeks pass...

I just bought a re-mastered copy of The Crossing. Reminded me how much I really liked Big Country. Too many Big Country bashers here. I loved their music. Loved the blazing guitars and sweeping rock. I think their lyrics were really poems, full of great imagery and emotion. Then they put music to them. I think Steeltown is one of the most underappreciated albums ever, with some very touching songs. Okay, so they never made it as big as U2...who else has??

I imagine there are more Big Country fans out there, and a lot of us will miss Stuart Adamson.

― RLR, Saturday, 25 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Big Country are not for people who like pop music and/or earnest music. That is the one reason why they never made it big in the states, imo. Their sound is not mindless pop, which unfortunately, a lot of people seem to like. Adamson and Big Country were a highly underrated band, each member a true pro musician, and their live shows kicked (for the most part). I have always thought BC were an acquired taste -- like learning the difference between a good chianti and some shitty merlot. And once you acquire that taste, it is with you forever.

The sad thing is that most of the world will never know how truly gifted a songwriter he was through lack of exposure. Only the truest BC fan know the extent of his talents while the periphial music fan knows only of a few songs -- they have no idea what a beautiful song Troubled Man is (and very eerie, as well). There are scores of others. People in the US pretty much know only of In A Big Country, if at all. They got the unfortunate brand of "One Hit Wonder", which is probably the worst adjective to describe the band. Still, they sold over 10 million records in all so I think that puts things in perspective.

While I was a fan, I truly believe that in this era of songwriters, Stuart Adamson is right up there with anyone. Unfortunately, management never could figure out how to market these guys the right way and they were not smart in picking singles to release in the US especially. Terrible mismangement, imo. They could have found a niche at AOR Album Rock stations in the US if someone had a clue how to promote them.

Their last album Driving to Damascus had top-20 written all over it with at least 2 slam-dunk hit singles. How in the world management screwed this up I will never know. Quite simply a great rock album, albeit quite different from The Crossing.

Too bad, what a shame.

― Shawn E., Tuesday, 28 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

man I hate that shitty merlot

― Josh, Tuesday, 28 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Shawn E.----I couldn't have said it better myself. I just got my copy of Driving to Damascus the other day and can't stop listening to it..especially Fragile Thing. Fucking brilliant. Not only were his lyrics extremely deep and not for the common pop music listening jackass..but he had the ability to squeeze the right emotion out of every note on his guitar. Steeltown I agree also is a very underrated album. Talk about one of your best live bands too! It is one of the greatest losses to rock music, wish he had the trust in someone to help him out of the valley he was in. He will be remembered....always.

― david caruthers, Thursday, 30 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Big Country;

magnificent, brilliant, literate, poetic, extremely talented musicians.

In the 80's world of plastic pop they really had no equal in terms of talent. B/C was a brilliant band, and Stuarts music and lyrics spoke deeply to me... or anybody who really listened.

Not since The Who have I really cared about a band as much. To create an original sound (bagpipe guitars) write meaningful lyrics, and have the musical chops to bring it to life... THAT, is the mark of a great band.

Stuart; you were brilliant. You will not be forgotten. Even if we live in Eldorado, will we find the gold we should? I hope you have found it. Rest in peace. I wish I could have met you.

Jim

― Jim Wallace, Thursday, 6 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

one month passes...

big country were on of the great bands of all time not relying on fashion or cheap publicity stunts to sell records. honest working band who did it on their own terms nuff said,too many poncified knockers here

― steve henderson, Monday, 15 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Big Country. Remembered fondly, at least by myself as a great guitar/dark/powerfull 80's rock band. Very unique and talented. I fell in love with their live "the seer" video from new york pier, very passionate. As a singer/guitarist myself in Coventry Grunge/Rock band BomDogs, i can wholeheartely say Big Country influenced me in my early musical life, even though my band sound's nothing like them. Choi gaz, www.bomdogs.com

― Gary Sutton, Sunday, 28 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

three months pass...

I can't believe anyone could listen to the Crossing and songs like "Inwards" without some degree of respect for the the songcraft. I mean, the cool counterpoint in the lines being played by both guitars is truly remarkable (check out "Inwards" for a good example of this). I'm not sure how the band developed later because I'm most familiar with the first two albums, but I certainly think there is alot more criticism than necessary on this board. I mean, what music have YOU written lately?

― Fez, Wednesday, 20 November 2002 22:18 (twenty-two years ago)

I've got very fond memories of seeing Big Country in the 80s. I'm sure they were deeply unfashionable then, never mind now, but live they were superb. They were one of the first bands I ever saw, and probably the first to make a really big emotional impact on me. Extremely earnest, but their kind of commitment really impresses you when you're 15.

Haven't listened to 'Steeltown' for years, but remember it being my favourite album the year it came out.

And I still wear check shirts on a regular basis.

― James Ball (James Ball), Thursday, 21 November 2002 09:58 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

I dragged out some of my old tapes and found Steeltown. I've listened to it for a few days now. I bought it while living in Germany in 1984. What a throwback for me. Big Country is one of those bands that stood outside the mainstream and remained unpoisoned by it. Their music just came at you, fast. I used to absolutely love U2. Now, I wish they would quit. Just friggin' go away. I have to wonder if those who slam Big Country really listened to them. Someone described them as over-earnest! Yeah, I like that somewhat-earnest mainstream stuff myself. What a load of crap! They were good enough that radio stations here in the US rarely played their music. That's an achievement, as far as I'm concerned.

― Greg Guitteau, Friday, 17 January 2003 05:41 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

Well, having sat here and read every comment written here, I have come to the conclusion that we all have our own individual tastes and preferences when it comes to music. I own one U2 album, and only like a handful of tracks - which puts me very much the outside the realms of 'mainstream' when compared to other people.

I can't say I ever really got to grips with The Skids either. I've listened to some fo their tracks and whilst I find them entertaining and listenable, they seem to miss the magic sparkle that many, if not all, of the tracks performed by Big Country had. The general public seem to have the same opinion of Big Country and Stuart Adamson that they have of Nick Kershaw - whilst it may not be to everyones tastes, if you sit there and listen to some of the songs, you'd have to be really set in your ways not to see any of the magic in them.

Wonderland is inspirational; Inwards sounds old and dated plays with some unusual ideas and pulls them off well; Fields of Fire has one of the simplest most memorable sounds I have ever heard; In a Big Country as just an absolute all time classic and the absolute epitomy of what Big Country's sound was all about; King of Emotion sounds like it is performed and written from the heart.

Overall, Peace in our time was a let down for me, it lost the 'soul' that made Big Country what it was. But for anyone who dares to look hard enough, get past that album and you'll realise that Big Country still have their very own individual and gripping sound, and were sorely under-rated by the general public.

Whoever compared Big Country to U2 was a fool IMO. 'The Joshua Tree' had some good heartfelt stuff on it, but 97% of their tracks sound morbid and much of a muchness. Big Country are waves away from U2, but the majority of people never realised it.

Flame me :o).

--Rich

― Rich, Monday, 24 February 2003 15:57 (twenty-two years ago)

three years pass...

The Storm was a good one.

― Janie, Friday, 28 April 2006 01:45 (nineteen years ago)

This is strange. I only very vaguely recall hearing of his death now. I didn't think he was dead at all a moment ago. I don't understand the hate Big Country gets. An album of theirs might be a bit too much for me, but you can't say they didn't have their own, special thing going on. Steeltown was great at the time. I never really took to the Crossing. Always kindof meant to check out Peace... "Wonderland" was breathtaking. "Just a Shadow" too.

― honorary joy division roadie (Bimble...), Sunday, 30 April 2006 03:29 (nineteen years ago)

one year passes...

Pour one out for the first fallen Mondeo Pop soldier.

― Dom Passantino, Wednesday, 5 September 2007 08:48 (eighteen years ago)

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