Alan Rankine, musical genius, has died.

Just saw your post was unanswered, I didn't remember the name straight off but yes when I saw who it was I did remember the Associates. That's a shame he was what - 65 -? So many of that generation dying early recently. Well - our generation!! Sobering thought.

We should have a Chapel of Rest heading on GN maybe? as sometimes these In Memorium posts are lost.

I don’t recall this musician but its good you deem him a genius.
Now away to look him up.

What a lovely tribute in the article.

SOGran That’s a good idea for a forum, I’ve noticed that In Memorium posts are found in various places, e.g. Chat, Culture/Arts, News. I think that’s why they are sometimes missed.
Although tbh, I didn’t expect many posts on this thread. I’m in Dundee however where The Associates are still much talked about and missed by anyone even slightly into music. Billy MacKenzie, the lead singer, came from a well known, if slightly eccentric Dundee family. He killed himself back in 1997, he was only 39.
Behind our major shopping mall, there’s an ongoing wonderful tribute to musicians in/from Dundee. It consists of engraved slabs set into the ground. It brings back lots of happy memories from my “going out” days. Or should I say nights rather. Dundee has always had a popular live music scene, it was always easy to find a pub with some great music.

Hello
We asked for an In Memoriam board a few months back.
It was a very popular idea with members, but HQ weren’t keen.
I’ll see if I can find the relevant thread

I didn’t know that about Billy McKenzie. How very sad. I loved The Associates

Here it is
www.gransnet.com/forums/site_stuff/1314527-In-Memoriam-thread-would-it-work

Grannydarkhair. Thank you for posting the info about Dundee engraved slabs. I'm planning a trip to Dundee at end of January so will have look for them. I was so in love with Billy McKenzie!.

Lomo123 If you’re on Facebook, the group about the tribute slabs is called Dundee Music Hall of Fame. Also, although there’s no specific site for DMHoF on Twitter, if you enter those words there’s quite a few photos, etc. from both individuals and the press.
Billy is buried in Balgay Cemetery next to his beloved Mum. It’s very much a cemetery of two parts, the old and the new. I know I’ve seen his grave stone when having a wander round Balgay, but tbh it’s been a long time since I did and I can’t remember exactly where it is.

Lomo123 Forgot to say, there’s a good wee book about Billy called The Glamour Chase by Tom Doyle.

Grannydarkhair, Thanks again I, ll have a look at fb page. Also for book recommendation, I usually get mine from charity shops, but I,ll have a look online.