This Scottish quintet was formed in 1982, and originally comprised brothers David McCluskey (b. 13 January 1964; drums) and Ken McCluskey (b. 8 February 1962; vocals, harmonica), plus Robert "Bobby Bluebell" Hodgens (b. 6 June 1959; vocals, guitar), Russell Irvine (guitar) and Lawrence Donegan (bass). The latter two were later replaced, respectively, by Craig Gannon (b. 30 July 1966) and Neal Baldwin. The group were fine exponents of the "jangly pop" common to Scottish bands such as Orange Juice and Aztec Camera. Despite strong airplay on UK radio, the inexplicable failure of "Cath" to rise any further than number 62 in the UK chart in 1983 perplexed critics and fans, as did the similar fate that befell "Sugar Bridge" in the same year. The Bluebells did at last gain their deserved success in 1984 with the number 11 hit "I'm Falling", and "Young At Heart" (co-written by Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama/Shakespears Sister), which reached the UK Top 10, while their solitary album for London Records achieved Top 30 status. Riding on the wave of this success, a reissued "Cath"/"She Will Always Be Waiting" belatedly hit the Top 40. After splitting, siblings Ken and David formed the McCluskey Brothers, releasing an album, Aware Of All, while Hodgens formed Up and later worked with Paul Quinn (ex-Bourgie Bourgie). Craig Gannon stood in, briefly, for the Smiths bass player Andy Rourke, who was having drug problems, then on Rourke's return, Gannon continued with the Smiths as second guitarist, subsequently joining the Adult Net and working with Terry Hall. In 1993 Volkswagen used "Young At Heart" in one of their television advertisements. The song re-entered the UK charts in April, reaching number 1 and staying there for a month. However, the group promised "not to outstay their welcome', with the McCluskey brothers returning to folk-singing (releasing a new album, Favourite Colours). Bobby Bluebell was to be found in Bob's, his Glasgow house/hip-hop club, while Russel Irvine had become a chef, but returned for their appearances on Top Of The Pops, replacing Donegan. The Bluebells" former bass player had been ejected after a previous appearance on the programme, when he used the opportunity to write an exposé of the show for the Guardian newspaper.
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YouTube Videos
patrick wolf vcast of bluebells (03:38)
this is a clip from the latest patrick wolf videocast. it features him performing a track from his forthcoming album, The Magic Position and is called bluebells. to celebrate the forthcoming release of his album, The...
Patrick Wolf - Bluebells (03:35)
The boy genius. In his lounge, playing the gorgeous 'Bluebells' from his forthconing - and highly anticipated - album 'The Magic Position'.
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