Saturday, August 18, 2012

SATURDAY'S SCOTTISH SINGLE (Part 37)


Notwithstanding that my good friend Mr John Greer not too long ago did a very lovely guest post on the life and career of Gary Clark, here's what wiki have to say about today's featured Scottish band:- 

Danny Wilson were a Scottish pop group formed in Dundee, Scotland. 

Having been initially formed in the early 80's performing under the names Perfect Strangers and then Dream Kitchen, brothers Gary Clark (vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist) and Kit Clark (guitarist) formed a band with friend Ged Grimes in 1984, initially under the name Spencer Tracy. However, after objections from the estate of Spencer Tracy, they changed their name to Danny Wilson, as taken from the 1952 Frank Sinatra film, Meet Danny Wilson. 

Initially spotted busking around Dundee, they signed to Virgin Records in 1986. The following year they released the album, Meet Danny Wilson; the lead single, "Mary's Prayer" was initially unsuccessful in the United Kingdom, but it eventually became a Top 30 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart later that year. Buoyed by this success it was re-released in 1988, and reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart. 

The band released its second and final album, Bebop Moptop the following year, including the hit single "The Second Summer Of Love", which reached number 23. They broke up in 1991. 

Following the break-up of Danny Wilson, Gary Clark embarked on a solo career. He was in the bands King L and Transister, before turning his attention to writing and producing for other artists, such as Natalie Imbruglia, Liz Phair, Nick Carter, Ashley Parker Angel, k.d. lang, Ferras and Spice Girls Melanie C and Emma Bunton. He is currently living in Los Angeles, California. 

Kit Clark continues to perform with his band, Swiss Family Orbison. Having spent time as a music writer for computer games, Grimes is currently the bass player for Simple Minds (and has also played with another high-profile Scottish rock band, Deacon Blue). 

And here's the one bit of vinyl that sits in the cupboard:- 

mp3 : Danny Wilson - Second Summer of Love
mp3 : Danny Wilson - Growing Emotional
mp3 : Danny Wilson - I'll Be Waiting

With apologies for the mind-numbing tedium of the b-sides

Next up.....David Byrne, (born Dumbarton, Scotland in May 1952)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wot jim no links.

Son of the rock

Mick Walton said...

A little off-topic, but I think you’d guys would dig becausesoundmatters.com…a ton of info on vinyl records (old AND new)