Licorice McKechnie
Encyclopedia
Christina 'Licorice' McKechnie (born 2 October 1945 in Edinburgh
, Scotland
) was a singer and songwriter in the Incredible String Band
between 1968 and 1972.
After reading her poetry at folk clubs in Edinburgh, she met musician Robin Williamson
, but left home in her teens with the intention of marrying Bert Jansch
. The banns were published but the wedding never took place. Jansch left her behind to travel to Morocco in 1963, and, according to Williamson, "she fell into [his] arms". In 1966 she travelled to Morocco with Williamson, and was later involved in the Incredible String Band's recordings - for example, saying the words "Amoebas are very small" on The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter
. By 1968, she was regarded as a full-fledged member of the band, usually as a backing singer and percussionist. She appeared with the band when they played at the Woodstock Festival
in August 1969, but left in 1972 after the end of her relationship with Williamson.
In 1974, Licorice appeared onstage at a Scientology
benefit in East Grinstead
with Mike Garson
, Woody Woodmansey
, Leonard Halliwell and others, before moving to California
and joining The Silver Moon Band. She married musician Brian Lambert and later appeared with Robin Williamson with his Merry Band in 1977 (she is credited as Likky Lambert on the 1977 album Journey's Edge
) before joining Woody Woodmansey's band U-Boat. She and Lambert later divorced.
Licorice has not been heard from since 1990, when her elder sister Frances reports receiving a letter which she says was 'certainly from Sacramento' — her last verified location. Postings in discussion forums in 2008, by someone investigating her disappearance, described her as "alive.. and hiding in plain sight" in California."As far as I can tell, she doesn't really want to be found, so I'm not going to give away anything about her whereabouts on a public forum, but I'm pretty confident that I've located her. Unless I'm quite mistaken, she's still living in California, and quite content with her obscurity. Hopefully she will find her way here one day". On another website the same or another person said: "I have looked into this matter and, using resources available to the public, I have satisfied myself that she is alive, (and presumably well) and hiding in plain sight, so to speak. She has either broken with her family and the folks associated with ISB or they are compliant with her decision to remain out of the limelight. Some people just prefer their privacy."
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
) was a singer and songwriter in the Incredible String Band
Incredible String Band
The Incredible String Band were a psychedelic folk band formed in Scotland in 1966. The band built a considerable following, especially within British counterculture, before splitting up in 1974...
between 1968 and 1972.
After reading her poetry at folk clubs in Edinburgh, she met musician Robin Williamson
Robin Williamson
Robin Williamson is a Scottish multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, songwriter and storyteller, who first made his name as a founder member of The Incredible String Band.-Career:...
, but left home in her teens with the intention of marrying Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch
Herbert "Bert" Jansch was a Scottish folk musician and founding member of the band Pentangle. He was born in Glasgow and came to prominence in London in the 1960s, as an acoustic guitarist, as well as a singer-songwriter...
. The banns were published but the wedding never took place. Jansch left her behind to travel to Morocco in 1963, and, according to Williamson, "she fell into [his] arms". In 1966 she travelled to Morocco with Williamson, and was later involved in the Incredible String Band's recordings - for example, saying the words "Amoebas are very small" on The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter
The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter
-Personnel:*Robin Williamson - vocals, guitar, gimbri, penny whistle, percussion, pan pipe, piano, oud, mandolin, jaw harp, chahanai, water harp, harmonica*Mike Heron - vocals, sitar, Hammond organ, guitar, hammered dulcimer, harpsichord...
. By 1968, she was regarded as a full-fledged member of the band, usually as a backing singer and percussionist. She appeared with the band when they played at the Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Music & Art Fair was a music festival, billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music". It was held at Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm in the Catskills near the hamlet of White Lake in the town of Bethel, New York, from August 15 to August 18, 1969...
in August 1969, but left in 1972 after the end of her relationship with Williamson.
In 1974, Licorice appeared onstage at a Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
benefit in East Grinstead
East Grinstead
East Grinstead is a town and civil parish in the northeastern corner of Mid Sussex, West Sussex in England near the East Sussex, Surrey, and Kent borders. It lies south of London, north northeast of Brighton, and east northeast of the county town of Chichester...
with Mike Garson
Mike Garson
Mike Garson is an American pianist, most notable for his work with David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Billy Corgan, Free Flight, and The Smashing Pumpkins.- Early career :...
, Woody Woodmansey
Mick Woodmansey
Mick 'Woody' Woodmansey is an English rock drummer from Driffield, Yorkshire, best known for his work with David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars...
, Leonard Halliwell and others, before moving to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and joining The Silver Moon Band. She married musician Brian Lambert and later appeared with Robin Williamson with his Merry Band in 1977 (she is credited as Likky Lambert on the 1977 album Journey's Edge
Journey's Edge
Journey's Edge is a folk album released in 1977 by Robin Williamson and his Merry Band. It was re-released in 2008 by Fledg'ling Records with bonus tracks.- Track listing :#Border Tango#The Tune I Hear So Well#Red Eye Blues#Tomorrow#Mythic Times...
) before joining Woody Woodmansey's band U-Boat. She and Lambert later divorced.
Licorice has not been heard from since 1990, when her elder sister Frances reports receiving a letter which she says was 'certainly from Sacramento' — her last verified location. Postings in discussion forums in 2008, by someone investigating her disappearance, described her as "alive.. and hiding in plain sight" in California."As far as I can tell, she doesn't really want to be found, so I'm not going to give away anything about her whereabouts on a public forum, but I'm pretty confident that I've located her. Unless I'm quite mistaken, she's still living in California, and quite content with her obscurity. Hopefully she will find her way here one day". On another website the same or another person said: "I have looked into this matter and, using resources available to the public, I have satisfied myself that she is alive, (and presumably well) and hiding in plain sight, so to speak. She has either broken with her family and the folks associated with ISB or they are compliant with her decision to remain out of the limelight. Some people just prefer their privacy."