William MacArthur Mackenzie, more commonly known as "Billy Mackenzie" was a musician from Scotland who was very popular in the 80's. He was a member of the group, "The Associates," which he formed with Alan Rankine. One of their more famous albums was "The Affectionate Punch" (1980 Fiction) reissued by Universal in 2005 with 4 extra tracks. When Alan left "The Associates," Billy continued to perform under that name on his own.
The Associates were known for songs such as "Party Fears Two" and "A Matter of Gender."
When Billy began to release music under his own name, he released a very popular song, "Wild is the Wind." This song was to have been said his last live performance.
The musical genious in "Wild is the Wind" alone shows the tremendous loss the music industry suffered when losing Billy as there is one note he was well known for holding a full two minutes or more in concert and on television.
Billy preformed with many musicians and did a cover of David Bowie's song, "Boys Keep Swinging." He sang back up vocals on dozens of popular songs and wrote lyrics as well.
Billy took his own life on the 22nd of January in 1997.
It was believed the sadness and grief of losing his Mother the previous year contributed to his depression and death.
He overdosed on prescription medication in his father's garden shed. He was only 39 years old.
After his death he became a 'cult' classic with many different pictures, duets, and singles being released.
Many were held out for a longer time as they referenced suicide. As an example, "Shakespear Sister" did a song with Billy that she held on to for many years before releasing it as it indicates taking your life with a gun. Even though this was not what Billy had done, she felt it would be worrisome to some fans.
It is interesting to note five full albums were released *after* Billy's death, further indicating the 'cult' classic he had become after his death. It was almost as if no one knew how good he really was until after he was gone. Many musicians will attest to this.
The Cure song "Cut Here" written by Robert Smith, a friend of Mackenzie, is about his suicide.
The Morrissey song "Suedehead" and the Smiths song "William, It Was Really Nothing" are both said to be about Billy's friendship with The Smiths' lead singer.
Siouxsie Sioux wrote the song "Say" about his suicide, revealing in the lyrics that they were going to meet just before his suicide. The song was released as a single in 1999 and charted in the UK Top 75.
For her Medúlla album, Björk considered singing a beyond the grave duet with Mackenzie using recordings given to her by his father, but eventually decided against it.
A tribute concert was held in London in 2007 for Billy.
Billy Mackenzie was the subject of a biography by Tom Doyle, "The Glamour Chase."
Billy was quite fond of "Whippets" (a breed of dog) and there are Whippets even decades later with his friends who came from the lineage he bred.
The Associates were known for songs such as "Party Fears Two" and "A Matter of Gender."
When Billy began to release music under his own name, he released a very popular song, "Wild is the Wind." This song was to have been said his last live performance.
The musical genious in "Wild is the Wind" alone shows the tremendous loss the music industry suffered when losing Billy as there is one note he was well known for holding a full two minutes or more in concert and on television.
Billy preformed with many musicians and did a cover of David Bowie's song, "Boys Keep Swinging." He sang back up vocals on dozens of popular songs and wrote lyrics as well.
Billy took his own life on the 22nd of January in 1997.
It was believed the sadness and grief of losing his Mother the previous year contributed to his depression and death.
He overdosed on prescription medication in his father's garden shed. He was only 39 years old.
After his death he became a 'cult' classic with many different pictures, duets, and singles being released.
Many were held out for a longer time as they referenced suicide. As an example, "Shakespear Sister" did a song with Billy that she held on to for many years before releasing it as it indicates taking your life with a gun. Even though this was not what Billy had done, she felt it would be worrisome to some fans.
It is interesting to note five full albums were released *after* Billy's death, further indicating the 'cult' classic he had become after his death. It was almost as if no one knew how good he really was until after he was gone. Many musicians will attest to this.
The Cure song "Cut Here" written by Robert Smith, a friend of Mackenzie, is about his suicide.
The Morrissey song "Suedehead" and the Smiths song "William, It Was Really Nothing" are both said to be about Billy's friendship with The Smiths' lead singer.
Siouxsie Sioux wrote the song "Say" about his suicide, revealing in the lyrics that they were going to meet just before his suicide. The song was released as a single in 1999 and charted in the UK Top 75.
For her Medúlla album, Björk considered singing a beyond the grave duet with Mackenzie using recordings given to her by his father, but eventually decided against it.
A tribute concert was held in London in 2007 for Billy.
Billy Mackenzie was the subject of a biography by Tom Doyle, "The Glamour Chase."
Billy was quite fond of "Whippets" (a breed of dog) and there are Whippets even decades later with his friends who came from the lineage he bred.
William MacArthur Mackenzie, more commonly known as "Billy Mackenzie" was a musician from Scotland who was very popular in the 80's. He was a member of the group, "The Associates," which he formed with Alan Rankine. One of their more famous albums was "The Affectionate Punch" (1980 Fiction) reissued by Universal in 2005 with 4 extra tracks. When Alan left "The Associates," Billy continued to perform under that name on his own.
The Associates were known for songs such as "Party Fears Two" and "A Matter of Gender."
When Billy began to release music under his own name, he released a very popular song, "Wild is the Wind." This song was to have been said his last live performance.
The musical genious in "Wild is the Wind" alone shows the tremendous loss the music industry suffered when losing Billy as there is one note he was well known for holding a full two minutes or more in concert and on television.
Billy preformed with many musicians and did a cover of David Bowie's song, "Boys Keep Swinging." He sang back up vocals on dozens of popular songs and wrote lyrics as well.
Billy took his own life on the 22nd of January in 1997.
It was believed the sadness and grief of losing his Mother the previous year contributed to his depression and death.
He overdosed on prescription medication in his father's garden shed. He was only 39 years old.
After his death he became a 'cult' classic with many different pictures, duets, and singles being released.
Many were held out for a longer time as they referenced suicide. As an example, "Shakespear Sister" did a song with Billy that she held on to for many years before releasing it as it indicates taking your life with a gun. Even though this was not what Billy had done, she felt it would be worrisome to some fans.
It is interesting to note five full albums were released *after* Billy's death, further indicating the 'cult' classic he had become after his death. It was almost as if no one knew how good he really was until after he was gone. Many musicians will attest to this.
The Cure song "Cut Here" written by Robert Smith, a friend of Mackenzie, is about his suicide.
The Morrissey song "Suedehead" and the Smiths song "William, It Was Really Nothing" are both said to be about Billy's friendship with The Smiths' lead singer.
Siouxsie Sioux wrote the song "Say" about his suicide, revealing in the lyrics that they were going to meet just before his suicide. The song was released as a single in 1999 and charted in the UK Top 75.
For her Medúlla album, Björk considered singing a beyond the grave duet with Mackenzie using recordings given to her by his father, but eventually decided against it.
A tribute concert was held in London in 2007 for Billy.
Billy Mackenzie was the subject of a biography by Tom Doyle, "The Glamour Chase."
Billy was quite fond of "Whippets" (a breed of dog) and there are Whippets even decades later with his friends who came from the lineage he bred.
The Associates were known for songs such as "Party Fears Two" and "A Matter of Gender."
When Billy began to release music under his own name, he released a very popular song, "Wild is the Wind." This song was to have been said his last live performance.
The musical genious in "Wild is the Wind" alone shows the tremendous loss the music industry suffered when losing Billy as there is one note he was well known for holding a full two minutes or more in concert and on television.
Billy preformed with many musicians and did a cover of David Bowie's song, "Boys Keep Swinging." He sang back up vocals on dozens of popular songs and wrote lyrics as well.
Billy took his own life on the 22nd of January in 1997.
It was believed the sadness and grief of losing his Mother the previous year contributed to his depression and death.
He overdosed on prescription medication in his father's garden shed. He was only 39 years old.
After his death he became a 'cult' classic with many different pictures, duets, and singles being released.
Many were held out for a longer time as they referenced suicide. As an example, "Shakespear Sister" did a song with Billy that she held on to for many years before releasing it as it indicates taking your life with a gun. Even though this was not what Billy had done, she felt it would be worrisome to some fans.
It is interesting to note five full albums were released *after* Billy's death, further indicating the 'cult' classic he had become after his death. It was almost as if no one knew how good he really was until after he was gone. Many musicians will attest to this.
The Cure song "Cut Here" written by Robert Smith, a friend of Mackenzie, is about his suicide.
The Morrissey song "Suedehead" and the Smiths song "William, It Was Really Nothing" are both said to be about Billy's friendship with The Smiths' lead singer.
Siouxsie Sioux wrote the song "Say" about his suicide, revealing in the lyrics that they were going to meet just before his suicide. The song was released as a single in 1999 and charted in the UK Top 75.
For her Medúlla album, Björk considered singing a beyond the grave duet with Mackenzie using recordings given to her by his father, but eventually decided against it.
A tribute concert was held in London in 2007 for Billy.
Billy Mackenzie was the subject of a biography by Tom Doyle, "The Glamour Chase."
Billy was quite fond of "Whippets" (a breed of dog) and there are Whippets even decades later with his friends who came from the lineage he bred.
