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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZASSOCIATES, TheScottish new wave group formed in Dundee by Billy MacKenzie (vocals) and Alan Rankine (guitar, bass, keyboards) who met '76 in cabaret group the Ascorbic Ones. MacKenzie's high, pure singing so Bowie-esque that the choice of first (privately released) single, a recent Bowie composition 'Boys Keep Swinging', was a natural one. Added Michael Dempsey, bass (ex-Cure) and Australian John Murphy, drums; first LP The Affectionate Punch '80. After independent singles (collated '81 as Fourth Drawer Down) original duo signed to WB; 'Party Fears Two' went top ten followed by two more top 30 hits. Volatile relationship split group early '83 despite top ten hit with title track of Sulk. After a solo single ('Ice Cream Factory'), MacKenzie readopted the group name with new personnel: Steve Reid and Ian Mackintosh, guitars; L. Howard Hughes, keyboards; Roberto Soave, bass for Perhaps '85. Relations with WEA soured and a fifth Associates album The Glamour Chase was not released; a combination of abrasive sounds with MacKenzie's soaring voice now became seamless '80s pop: Wild And Lonely '90 and Outernational '91 on Circa (the latter under his own name) were more commercial but less innovative. One of the new wave's best voices, he was also heard on B.E.F./Heaven 17 all-star Music Of Quality And Distinction '82; wowed a crowd at Ronnie Scott's '84 with piano-accompanied blues and jazz standards. His mother died mid-'96; he committed suicide 23 Jan. '97, his last recording 'Pain In Any Language' on Apollo Glide Forty's Electro Glide In Blue. |