George Gallacher – Obituaries

Obituaries for the late, great George Gallacher are finally coming through although it’s disappointing that so many seem to have basic errors in them.

Nevertheless, here they all are and I’ll add more as I find them:

The Scotsman – George’s birthday was actually 21 October and not 21 September as originally listed. Otherwise excellent piece by Richie Unterberger.

The Evening Times (Glasgow) – The photo caption in the paper itself (above) is wrong. Tony is the only one that is correct. George is second from the right and Alan Weir wasn’t actually in the photograph. The guy on the far right is Jim Breakey who replaced Alan. Words by Fiona Mackay.

The Glaswegian – Quote attributed to Fraser Watson was actually from Tony Myles, who IS the only surviving member of The Poets. Words by Emma Smith.

The Poets website

The Herald – Words by Allan Brown

Another piece by Allan Brown, this time for The Scotsman, published on Saturday 1 September 2012.

A wonderful piece from Roy Moller on his Pleasures of the Harbor blog, published Tuesday 4 September 2012.

“Those of my mates who know me will be aware that many years ago, in a land far far away, I was a member of a group that emerged from Scotland. I was privileged to be amongst some of the most talented guys in the business and they showed me the path to creativity for which I have been eternally grateful. Far too soon they have been summoned to play in the ultimate rock band and with the sudden death yesterday of GEORGE GALLACHER I am now the only remaining member of the original POETS. Just a few years ago the remaining four of us decided to plan a get-together – then before it happened there were only three of us. Then two. Now there is no one to get together with. One of our fans is quoted as saying – “Life is what happens when you’re making plans” . . . . . Tony Myles

Credit to John Cavanagh and The Poets Facebook page (run by Tony Myles) for spotting the errors.

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RIP George Gallacher, The Poets

I was deeply saddened to hear yesterday of the death of George Gallacher, lead singer of legendary Scottish band The Poets.

I consider myself privileged to have seen George, along with Fraser Watson, play as The Poets once more, backed by The Thanes, twice in the last 12 months.

Reports suggest that George passed away shortly after leaving Firhill on Saturday, having seen his beloved Partick Thistle defeat Dumbarton 3-0 to go top of Division One.

I first saw George play with The Thanes on 6 May 2011 at the 13th Note in Glasgow. Initially The Thanes played and then, following an introduction from broadcaster John Cavanagh, they were joined by Fraser Watson on guitar and George on vocals. I managed to film most of the set and sent George a copy of the show.

Four of those tracks can be found on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3k3ec5N4IA

The second and last time I saw him was on 2 December 2011, ably supported by The Store Keys, a supergroup featuring Belle and Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson and Roy Moller amongst others, at the 7th anniversary of the Eyes Wide Open club. Again, this gig was filmed by me but an inconvenient light throughout obliterated George’s head in most of the footage, although thankfully not his voice, which was in fine form.

I only spoke to George two or three times at these gigs but what came across was a man passionate about music and singing and who was enjoying every minute of the band’s renaissance. My one regret is not taking up George’s offer to come on to my “Where The Action Is” radio show to do a solo session. Thankfully BBC Scotland were wise enough to get them in for a session in November last year on Vic Galloway’s show, which I believe will be repeated this week.

Thanks for the memories and the music, George.

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Playlist: “Planet Pop” on K-Town FM – Thu 23 Aug 12

Here’s the playlist for Thursday’s edition of Planet Pop, which went out on K-Town FM between 2 and 4 pm.

For those who don’t know, Planet Pop is a multi-decade, multi-genre show based around a specific theme each week. On each edition of the show we take a track from the previous episode of the show, play it again and build a brand new theme around it. Previous themes have included Planets, Eurovision, Literature, Long Songs, 80s Electronica, Countries, Transport, Hand Claps, Days of the Weeks, the Weather, Occupations and, last time, Songs Where The Title Isn’t in the Lyrics.

The show doesn’t have as many regular features as Where The Action Is but I do play a Jocknroll triumverate, no matter the theme, as well as three tracks throughout the show on a related theme to the main theme, which I now call Theme within a Theme, and sometimes Two of a Kind, featuring two tracks on the day’s theme from the same artist. Here’s is Thursday’s playlist for those who missed it. Can you guess what thetheme was?

Duane Eddy – Peter Gunn (London 1959)
The Who – Baby O’Riley (Polydor 1971) (Brought forward from last show)
10,000 Maniacs – Hey Jack Kerouac (Elektra 1987)
The Hollies – Jennifer Eccles (Parlophone 1968)
The Eddysons – Jenny Artichoke (Havoc 1969)
James – Johnny Yen (Sire 1986)
Dana Gillespie – Andy Warhol (RCA 1974)
David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust (RCA 1972)
Ian Dury – Sweet Gene Vincent (Stiff 1977) SINGER 1
Manic Street Preachers – Kevin Carter (Epic 1996)
Kevin Rowland and Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile) (Mercury 1982)
Kiki Dee – Johnny Raven (Motown 1970)
The Kinks – David Watt (Pye 1967)
The Jam – Liza Radley (Polydor 1980)
Weezer – Buddy Holly (Geffen 1995) SINGERS 2
The Attack – Neville Thumbcatch (Decca 1968)
Stone Roses – Sally Cinnamon (FM Revolver 1987)
The Supremes – Nathan Jones (Tamla Motown 1971)
Aberfeldy – Tom Weir (Rough Trade 2005) JOCKNROLL
Belle and Sebastian – Roy Walker (Rough Trade 2003) JOCKNROLL
The Orchids – Frank DeSalvo (Sarah 1991) JOCKNROLL
Madness – Michael Caine (Stiff 1984)
Mika – Grace Kelly (Universal 2007)
The Weather Prophets – Like Frankie Lymon (Creation1986) SINGERS 3
Chad Carson – Jesse James (Unreleased 1963)
The Coral – Bill McCai (Deltasonic 2003)
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – Jimmie Mack (Gordy 1967)
The Liverbirds – Johnny B Goode (Star-Club 1965)
McCarthy – This Nelson Rockefeller (September 1988)
Teenage Fanclub – Neil Jung (Creation 1995)
Michael Cox – Angela Jones (Triumph 1960)
Ryan Adams – Sylvia Plath (Mercury 2001)
Ministry of Sound – Roberto Billow (Sunny 1968)
The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby (Parlophone 1966)
The Aerovons – Bessy Goodheart (EMI 1969)

So the theme of today’s show was SONGS WITH FULL NAMES IN THE TITLE and the THEME WITHIN A THEME tracks were all songs with singers in the title.

I’m not sure when the next edition of Planet Pop will be as I’m back at College (finishing an HND in Radio) in a couple of weeks but I’ll keep you posted. So who knows what the next theme will be. Maybe vegetables after “Jenny Artichoke” or flowers after The Orchids. Remember, it’ll relate to a track I played on Thursday’s show.

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Playlist: “Planet Pop” on K-Town FM – Thu 16 Aug 2012

Here’s the playlist for today’s edition of Planet Pop, which went out on K-Town FM between 2 and 4 pm.

For those who don’t know, Planet Pop is a multi-decade, multi-genre show based around a specific theme each week. On each edition of the show we take a track from the previous episode of the show, play it again and build a brand new theme around it. Previous themes have included Planets, Eurovision, Literature, Long Songs, 80s Electronica, Countries, Transport, Hand Claps, Days of the Weeks, the Weather and, last time, Occupations.

The show doesn’t have as many regular features as Where The Action Is but I do play a Jocknroll triumverate, no matter the theme, as well as three tracks throughout the show on a related theme to the main theme, which I now call Theme within a Theme, and sometimes Two of a Kind. Here’s is today’s playlist for those who missed it:

The Challengers – Kicks (GNP Crescendo 1966)
Coldplay – The Scientist (Parlophone 2002) (Brought forward from last show)
Savage Garden – Affirmation (Columbia 1999)
The Cure – Lovesong (Fiction 1989)
The Smiths – Rusholm Ruffians (Rough Trade 1985)
The Toys – A Lover’s Concerto (Dynovoice 1965)
Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights (EMI 1978) – played in error!!
The Who – Baby O’Riley (Polydor 1971)
I Am Kloot – Untitled #1 (Echo 2003) UNTITLED 1
Green Day – Basket Case (Reprise 1994)
All Saints – Pure Shores (London 2000)
Supergrass – Richard III (Parlophone 1997)
The Mamas and the Papas – Creeque Alley (Dunhill 1967)
Buffalo Springfield – For What It’s Worth (Atco 1967)
The Bodines – Untitled (Magnet 1987) UNTITLED 2
The Beatles – The Ballad of John and Yoko (Apple 1969)
New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle (Factory 1986)
Paul Anka – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Verve 2005)
BMX Bandits – Come Clean (Vinyl Japan 1991) JOCKNROLL
Roddy Frame – Big Ben (Redemption 2002) JOCKNROLL
Marmalade – Kaleidoscope (Decca 1970) JOCKNROLL
Superstar – Superstar (Camp Fabulous 1998)
American Spring – Superstar (United Artists 1972)
Keane – Untitled 1 (Island 2004) UNTITLED 3
The Monkees – Randy Scouse Git (Alternate Title) (Colgems 1967) TWO OF A KIND
The Monkees – Tapioca Tundra (Colgems 1968) TWO OF A KIND
Morrissey – Suedehead (HMV 1988)
James – Laid (Fontana 1993)
The Orchids – It’s Only Obvious (Sarah 1989)
OMD – Pandora’s Box (Virgin 1991)

So the theme of today’s show was SONGS WHERE THE TITLE ISN’T IN THE LYRICS and the THEME WITHIN A THEME tracks were all called “Untitled”.

The next edition of Planet Pop will be on Thursday 23 August 2012 so do tune in to find out what the new theme will be. Maybe it’ll be be puddings/desserts after “Tapioca Tundra” or films after “Pandora’s Box”. Remember, it relates to a track I played in today’s show.

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