Deacon Blue

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About Deacon Blue

Full of big emotions and great sophistication, Deacon Blue’s impassioned blend of folk, pop and rock elicits equally strong feelings in return. Lead singer and songwriter Ricky Ross formed the Scottish band in Glasgow in 1985; the former school teacher borrowed his band’s name from a song by Steely Dan, one of his inspirations. As much as Deacon Blue’s music drew from other heroes such as Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison, aspects of their sound felt admirably unique, like the interplay between Ross and co-vocalist Lorraine McIntosh (the two married in 1990). After earning acclaim for their 1987 debut, Raintown, Deacon Blue scored their first No. 1 album with 1989’s When the World Knows Your Name, an engaging set whose biggest hits—“Real Gone Kid” and “Fergus Sings the Blues”—showcased Ross’ knack for nuanced character studies. Following a five-year hiatus that began in 1994, the band reconvened for many more releases that demonstrated their reliably high standards, as well as the new degree of richness that distinguished such later efforts as 2021’s Riding on the Tide of Love.

ORIGIN
Glasgow, Scotland
FORMED
1985
GENRE
Pop

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