Alan Hull
Encyclopedia
Alan Hull was an English
singer-songwriter
and founding member of the Tyneside
folk rock
band
, Lindisfarne
.
, Newcastle upon Tyne
in 1945. He became a member of the band The Chosen Few alongside keyboard
player Mick Gallagher in 1962. He supported himself one year by working as a nurse at a mental hospital
while appearing as a folk singer and guitarist in local clubs before helping to form Brethren and Downtown Faction, which evolved into Lindisfarne in 1970. He also released a one-off solo single
, "We Can Swing Together", which was re-recorded with the group on their first album, Nicely Out of Tune
, and became a regular favourite in their stage performances.
As the group's most prolific songwriter and joint lead vocalist, Hull came to be regarded as its leader. In 1972, dissatisfied with the sound and critical reception of their third album Dingly Dell
, he considered leaving the group but instead he and joint lead vocalist Ray "Jacka" Jackson formed a new six-piece Lindisfarne the following year, leaving the three other original members to form Jack The Lad
. He also released a first solo album Pipedream
the same year and published a book of poems, Mocking Horse.
Lindisfarne disbanded in 1975 and Hull released a second solo album Squire, then formed the short-lived Radiator, which also included drummer Ray Laidlaw of Lindisfarne and Jack the Lad. At the end of 1977 the original line-up of Lindisfarne reformed after a well-received Christmas show at the Newcastle City Hall
which was broadcast on local radio. Thereafter he combined his musical career as front man of the group with a solo career. He was also a staunch Labour Party
activist.
In 1994, he recorded Back to Basics
, a live all-acoustic
survey of the best of his songwriting from 1970 onwards. On 17 November 1995 whilst working on a new album, Statues & Liberties
, Hull died suddenly of a heart thrombosis
, at the age of 50.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and founding member of the Tyneside
Tyneside
Tyneside is a conurbation in North East England, defined by the Office of National Statistics, which is home to over 80% of the population of Tyne and Wear. It includes the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the Metropolitan Boroughs of Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside — all settlements on...
folk rock
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne (band)
Lindisfarne were a British folk/rock group from Newcastle upon Tyne established in 1970 and fronted by singer/songwriter Alan Hull. Their music combined a strong sense of yearning with an even stronger sense of fun...
.
Career
Hull was born in BenwellBenwell
Benwell is an area in the West End of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.-History:Benwell village was recorded in A.D. 1050 known as Bynnewalle which roughly translates as "behind the wall" or "by the wall". Referring to its position relative to Hadrian's Wall...
, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
in 1945. He became a member of the band The Chosen Few alongside keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
player Mick Gallagher in 1962. He supported himself one year by working as a nurse at a mental hospital
Mental Hospital
Mental hospital may refer to:*Psychiatric hospital*hospital in Nepal named Mental Hospital...
while appearing as a folk singer and guitarist in local clubs before helping to form Brethren and Downtown Faction, which evolved into Lindisfarne in 1970. He also released a one-off solo single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "We Can Swing Together", which was re-recorded with the group on their first album, Nicely Out of Tune
Nicely Out of Tune
Nicely Out of Tune is the debut album by Lindisfarne, released in late 1970. It was thus titled as the group considered themselves 'nicely out of tune' with other prevailing musical trends at the time...
, and became a regular favourite in their stage performances.
As the group's most prolific songwriter and joint lead vocalist, Hull came to be regarded as its leader. In 1972, dissatisfied with the sound and critical reception of their third album Dingly Dell
Dingly Dell
Dingly Dell is a 1972 album by English rock band Lindisfarne.-Production:The album was produced by and mixed by Bob Johnston, who had also worked on the earlier #1 album Fog on the Tyne. However, the band were unhappy with the album, and remixed it themselves shortly before it was released.-Release...
, he considered leaving the group but instead he and joint lead vocalist Ray "Jacka" Jackson formed a new six-piece Lindisfarne the following year, leaving the three other original members to form Jack The Lad
Jack The Lad
Jack the Lad was a folk rock or electric folk group from North East England formed in 1973 by three former members of the most successful band of the period from the region Lindisfarne. They moved from the progressive folk rock of Lindisfarne into much more traditional territory and were in the...
. He also released a first solo album Pipedream
Pipedream (album)
Pipedream is the first solo album from Lindisfarne singer Alan Hull.-Releases and chart performance:The album was first released in 1973 following the breakup of Lindisfarne...
the same year and published a book of poems, Mocking Horse.
Lindisfarne disbanded in 1975 and Hull released a second solo album Squire, then formed the short-lived Radiator, which also included drummer Ray Laidlaw of Lindisfarne and Jack the Lad. At the end of 1977 the original line-up of Lindisfarne reformed after a well-received Christmas show at the Newcastle City Hall
Newcastle City Hall
Newcastle City Hall is a concert hall, located in Newcastle upon Tyne which has hosted many popular music and classical artists throughout the years, as well as standup and comedy acts. Opened in 1927, the City Hall was built as a part of a development which also included the adjacent City Pool...
which was broadcast on local radio. Thereafter he combined his musical career as front man of the group with a solo career. He was also a staunch Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
activist.
In 1994, he recorded Back to Basics
Back to Basics (Alan Hull album)
Back to Basics is a 1994 live album recording by Alan Hull. It was recorded at the Mean Fiddler and Blackheath Concert Halls in London during January 1994. Playing alongside Alan is Kenny Craddock.-Track listing:# United States of Mind...
, a live all-acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
survey of the best of his songwriting from 1970 onwards. On 17 November 1995 whilst working on a new album, Statues & Liberties
Statues & Liberties
Statues & Liberties is the last solo album recorded by Lindisfarne front man Alan Hull. He died on 17 November 1995 before work on the album had been completed.-Track listing:All songs written by Alan Hull#Statues & Liberties#Walk a Crooked Mile...
, Hull died suddenly of a heart thrombosis
Thrombosis
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. When a blood vessel is injured, the body uses platelets and fibrin to form a blood clot to prevent blood loss...
, at the age of 50.
Singles
- "We Can Swing Together" / "Obadiah's Grave" (1970)
- "Numbers" / "Drinking Song" / "One Off Pat" (1973)
- "Justanothersadsong" / "Waiting" (1973)
- "Dan The Plan" / "One More Bottle Of Wine" (1975)
- "One More Bottle Of Wine" / "Squire" (1975)
- "Crazy Woman" / "Golden Oldies" (1975)
- "I Wish You Well" / "Love Is The Answer" (1979)
- "A Walk In The Sea" / "Corporation Rock" (1979)
- "Malvinas Melody" / "Ode To A Taxman" (1983)
Albums
- PipedreamPipedream (album)Pipedream is the first solo album from Lindisfarne singer Alan Hull.-Releases and chart performance:The album was first released in 1973 following the breakup of Lindisfarne...
(1973) UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
No. 29 - SquireSquire (Alan Hull album)Squire is the second solo album by Alan Hull. Recorded at Morgan Studios December 1974 & January 1975 except "Waiting" which was recorded at Trident Studios with Roy Baker in March 1973. Squire was released on Warner Brothers, K56121, in 1975...
(1975) - Phantoms (1979)
- On The Other Side (1983)
- Another Little Adventure (1988)
- Back to BasicsBack to Basics (Alan Hull album)Back to Basics is a 1994 live album recording by Alan Hull. It was recorded at the Mean Fiddler and Blackheath Concert Halls in London during January 1994. Playing alongside Alan is Kenny Craddock.-Track listing:# United States of Mind...
(1994) - Statues & LibertiesStatues & LibertiesStatues & Liberties is the last solo album recorded by Lindisfarne front man Alan Hull. He died on 17 November 1995 before work on the album had been completed.-Track listing:All songs written by Alan Hull#Statues & Liberties#Walk a Crooked Mile...
(1996) - When War Is OverWhen War Is OverWhen War Is Over is a two disc compilation of Alan Hull's 1970's recordings for the BBC.-Track listing:#Drug Song#Numbers #United States of Mind#When War is Over#Down on the Underground#Gin and Tonics All Round...
(1998) - We Can Swing Together - Anthology (2005)
- Phantoms (CD release with bonus Tracks) (21.05.2007)
- Live at Clifton Poly 1975 (2009)