Stuart Adamson: Difference between revisions
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'''Stuart Adamson''' ([[April 11]], [[1958]] - [[December 16]], [[2001]]), was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] rock musician, who founded [[The Skids]] and later [[Big Country]]. |
'''Stuart Adamson''' ([[April 11]], [[1958]] - [[December 16]], [[2001]]), was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] rock musician, who founded [[The Skids]] and later [[Big Country]], as well as the 90s alternative country rock act, the Raphaels. |
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He is best known for his guitar work, which made an electric guitar sound somewhat like a [[bagpipe]]; Adamson achieved this with the use of the [[e-bow]], |
He is best known for his distinctive guitar work, which made the harmonics of an electric guitar sound somewhat like a [[bagpipe]]; Adamson, along with Big Country's other guitarist, Bruce Watson, achieved this with the tuning of their guitars. Also adding to the distinctive Big Country guitar sound was the use of the [[e-bow]], a device that often replaces the sound of keyboards in Big Country's music. Along with Bill Nelson (also an accomplished rock guitarist, with Be Bop Deluxe and solo), Adamson's use of the e-bow helped popularize the device. |
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==The Skids== |
==The Skids== |
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Adamson was a |
Adamson was a founding member of [[The Skids]] in 1977. Their biggest success was the single ''Into the Valley'' in 1978, which did well in the UK charts. He was involved with three of their four albums, leaving before ''[[Joy (album)|Joy]]'' (which many fans considered "non-canonical", though Adamson did play guitar on one memorable song of the album, 'Iona'). |
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==Big Country== |
==Big Country== |
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Stuart Adamson's guitar playing first came to international prominence in Big Country's first hit, 1983's "Fields of Fire", which reached the UK's Top Ten and was rapidly followed by the album ''The Crossing''. The album was a crossover hit in the United States, powered by the single "In a Big Country". They were sometimes considered as a one-hit wonder in the USA, but still have a great following in their native Scotland. |
Stuart Adamson's guitar playing first came to international prominence in Big Country's first hit, 1983's "Fields of Fire", which reached the UK's Top Ten and was rapidly followed by the album ''The Crossing''. The album was a crossover hit in the United States, powered by the single "In a Big Country". They were sometimes considered as a one-hit wonder in the USA, but clearly were more than that worldwide due to their popularity in the UK and Europe, and the band still have a great following in their native Scotland. |
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Their second album ''Steeltown'' appeared in 1984, and was again a success with both fans and critics, although not quite to the same heights as their debut. The band's third album "The Seer" continued along familiar territory. The first three albums were produced by [[Steve Lillywhite]]. The band continued to [[1999]]. In many ways, Adamson was ''the'' sound of Big Country, supplying both its distinctive |
Their second album ''Steeltown'' appeared in 1984, and was again a success with both fans and critics, although not quite to the same heights as their debut. The band's third album "The Seer" continued along familiar territory. The first three albums were produced by [[Steve Lillywhite]]. The band continued to [[1999]]. In many ways, Adamson was ''the'' sound of Big Country, supplying both its distinctive guitar work as well as being lead singer and main songwriter (both music and lyrics). The band's lineup never really underwent changes, the exception being a brief departure of drummer Mark Brzezicki. |
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In [[1999]] he disappeared for a time before resurfacing stating that he had needed some time off. There were also reports of battles with alcohol. In November 2001 he disappeared once again; this time he did not return, and was found dead in a room at the Best Western Plaza Hotel in [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]] on [[December 16]], [[2001]]. [http://starbulletin.com/2001/12/18/news/story4.html] [http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=50&id=1700742001] |
In [[1999]] he disappeared for a time before resurfacing, stating that he had needed some time off. There were also reports of battles with alcohol. In November 2001 he disappeared once again; this time he did not return, and was found dead in a room at the Best Western Plaza Hotel in [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]] on [[December 16]], [[2001]]. [http://starbulletin.com/2001/12/18/news/story4.html] [http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=50&id=1700742001] |
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[[Category:1958 births|Adamson, Stuart]] |
[[Category:1958 births|Adamson, Stuart]] |
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Revision as of 09:30, 16 December 2005
Stuart Adamson (April 11, 1958 - December 16, 2001), was a Scottish rock musician, who founded The Skids and later Big Country, as well as the 90s alternative country rock act, the Raphaels.
He is best known for his distinctive guitar work, which made the harmonics of an electric guitar sound somewhat like a bagpipe; Adamson, along with Big Country's other guitarist, Bruce Watson, achieved this with the tuning of their guitars. Also adding to the distinctive Big Country guitar sound was the use of the e-bow, a device that often replaces the sound of keyboards in Big Country's music. Along with Bill Nelson (also an accomplished rock guitarist, with Be Bop Deluxe and solo), Adamson's use of the e-bow helped popularize the device.
The Skids
Adamson was a founding member of The Skids in 1977. Their biggest success was the single Into the Valley in 1978, which did well in the UK charts. He was involved with three of their four albums, leaving before Joy (which many fans considered "non-canonical", though Adamson did play guitar on one memorable song of the album, 'Iona').
Big Country
Stuart Adamson's guitar playing first came to international prominence in Big Country's first hit, 1983's "Fields of Fire", which reached the UK's Top Ten and was rapidly followed by the album The Crossing. The album was a crossover hit in the United States, powered by the single "In a Big Country". They were sometimes considered as a one-hit wonder in the USA, but clearly were more than that worldwide due to their popularity in the UK and Europe, and the band still have a great following in their native Scotland.
Their second album Steeltown appeared in 1984, and was again a success with both fans and critics, although not quite to the same heights as their debut. The band's third album "The Seer" continued along familiar territory. The first three albums were produced by Steve Lillywhite. The band continued to 1999. In many ways, Adamson was the sound of Big Country, supplying both its distinctive guitar work as well as being lead singer and main songwriter (both music and lyrics). The band's lineup never really underwent changes, the exception being a brief departure of drummer Mark Brzezicki.
In 1999 he disappeared for a time before resurfacing, stating that he had needed some time off. There were also reports of battles with alcohol. In November 2001 he disappeared once again; this time he did not return, and was found dead in a room at the Best Western Plaza Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 16, 2001. [1] [2]