Those First Impressions----Billy McKenzie(1957-1997) An Appreciation

The first time i became aware of Billy McKenzie was hearing a woeful version of "Boys Keep Swinging" I had him pegged as just another lower league Bowie wannabe and thought nothing more of him.How wrong could i be?
Those First Impressions indeed...

The next time he came in sight of my radar was when i watched Top of The Pops a few years later and his band,The Associates,were miming wonderfully to their new single "Party Fears Two" I was awestruck.

The next day i bought their latest album called "Sulk" Luckily the shop only had the US version which included extra tracks that the UK one did'nt.It was on my turntable for months thereafter.

Billy formed The Associates,along with Andy Rankine,in the late 70's.They came out of Dundee at a time when Scottish music was at it's best and most diverse with bands like Aztec Camera,Jesus and Mary Chain and Orange Juice, to name just three of many talented groups.

First off Billy was an exceptionally good looking fella,Something he appears to be well aware of.But more importantly his voice was an extraordinary tool to compliment his songwriting.His looks could charm the birds from the trees but his vocal range would no doubt leave them mute with admiration...

His songs vary from the whimsical---Ice Cream Factory.The lustful---18 Carat Love Affair.To the downright rip-your-own-eyes-out depressive---Gloomy Sunday & No most notably.

The next single to come off the "Sulk" is probably the best known commercially. It was "Club Country" I remember their appearance on Top of The Pops not just for the crispness of the music and quality of Billy's vocals but also it involved probably the most over the top flirting with Martha Ladly--she of Martha and The Muffins fame---The show had'nt seen that much flirting since DJ Mike Read caught his own reflection in the camera...

In truth Billy was more of a Torch singer than pop artist---Stories say he was never comfortable with the commercial side of the music business---As his version of the age old classic " Gloomy Sunday" probably testifies.This song has been covered many times since first wrote in the 1920's and i have heard many of them,but none better than Billy's.Decide for yourself...

Even though "Sulk" was a high benchmark their next album "Perhaps" is my favourite.By this stage Rankine had left the band.Ironically it's rumoured that Billy hated it and hid the master tapes for two years,when it was eventually released it was a flop,putting him in debt to his record label for a shed load of money.Even though i love it and to me that's all that matters.Here's my favourite track.Ignore the God-awful video...

After this i lost touch with the what Billy was producing although i was aware he collaborated with various musical luminaries,most notably Yello.

Then in 1997 news broke that he'd taken in own life back home in Dundee.Shocking as this news was it would be a lie to suggest that many were not overly surprised.He was always a complex character with a history of depression.Even so a terrible loss.

So thanks Billy for many years of pleasure listening to your wonderful voice...Gonna leave you with Billy at his powerful and playful  high-octane best...

Thanks again Billy...