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Kevin Coyne (27 January 1944 – 2 December 2004) was an English musician, singer, composer, film-maker, and a writer of lyrics, stories and poems. The "anti-star" was born in
Derby Derby ( ) is a city and unitary authority area in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the south of Derbyshire, which is in the East Midlands Region. It was traditionally the county town of Derbyshire. Derby g ...
,
Derbyshire Derbyshire ( ) is a ceremonial county in the East Midlands, England. It includes much of the Peak District National Park, the southern end of the Pennine range of hills and part of the National Forest. It borders Greater Manchester to the nor ...
,
England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
, and died in his adopted home of
Nuremberg Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ...
,
Bavaria Bavaria ( ; ), officially the Free State of Bavaria (german: Freistaat Bayern, link=no ), is a state in the south-east of Germany. With an area of , Bavaria is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total lan ...
,
Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
. Coyne is notable for his unorthodox style of blues-influenced guitar composition, the intense quality of his vocal delivery, and his bold treatment, in his lyrics, of injustice to the
mentally ill A mental disorder, also referred to as a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitt ...
. Many influential musicians have described themselves as Coyne fans, among them Sting and John Lydon. In the mid-1970s, prior to the formation of
the Police The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For most of their history the line-up consisted of primary songwriter Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar) and Stewart Copeland (drums, percussion). The Polic ...
, Coyne's band included guitarist
Andy Summers Andrew James Summers (born 31 December 1942), is an English guitarist who was a member of the rock band The Police. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a band member in 2003. Summers has recorded solo albums, collaborated wi ...
. Prominent
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
disc jockey and world music authority
Andy Kershaw Andrew J. G. Kershaw (born 9 November 1959) is a broadcaster and disc jockey, predominantly on radio, and known for his interest in world music. Kershaw's shows feature a mix of country, blues, reggae, folk music, African music, spoken word ...
described Coyne as "a national treasure who keeps getting better" and as one of the great
British blues British blues is a form of music derived from American blues that originated in the late 1950s, and reached its height of mainstream popularity in the 1960s. In Britain, it developed a distinctive and influential style dominated by electric gu ...
voices. Over many years Coyne produced the distinctive
art work A work of art, artwork, art piece, piece of art or art object is an artistic creation of aesthetic value. Except for "work of art", which may be used of any work regarded as art in its widest sense, including works from literature ...
for many of his own album covers but his move to Germany, in the 1980s, saw his work on full-size paintings blossom in its own right.


Early days

As a teenager and young adult Coyne studied at the Joseph Wright School of Art from 1957 to 1961 and then studied graphics and painting at Derby School of Art from 1961 to 1965. There he met Nick Cudworth (piano, acoustic guitar). His love of American bluesmen developed, as did his song-craft and his guitar and vocal talents. At the conclusion of his arts training, Coyne began the work that would change him forever – he spent the three years, from 1965 to 1968, working as a social therapist and
psychiatric nurse Psychiatric nursing or mental health nursing is the appointed position of a nurse that specialises in mental health, and cares for people of all ages experiencing mental illnesses or distress. These include: neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophr ...
at
Whittingham Hospital Whittingham Hospital was a psychiatric hospital in the parish of Whittingham, near Preston, Lancashire, England. The hospital opened in 1873 as the Fourth Lancashire County Asylum and grew to be the largest mental hospital in Britain, and pionee ...
near Preston in Lancashire and then for "The Soho Project" in London as a drugs counsellor. During this period of working with the mentally ill he performed regularly. Subsequently, his musical aspirations took precedence and he signed a record deal in 1969. Joined by Dave Clague (bass, acoustic guitar, ex-
Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (also known as The Bonzo Dog Band or The Bonzos) was created by a group of British art-school students in the 1960s. Combining elements of music hall, trad jazz and psychedelia with surreal humour and avant-garde a ...
), Coyne's band got an early break as a result of a demo heard by John Peel, who in 1969 signed them to his Dandelion Records label. At first billed as Coyne-Clague (an early Dandelion release erroneously named them just "Clague"), the band soon altered its name to Siren. Reviewing the band's 1971 LP ''Strange Locomotion'', Robert Christgau wrote in '' Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies'' (1981): "Like Fleetwood Mac, this is
British blues British blues is a form of music derived from American blues that originated in the late 1950s, and reached its height of mainstream popularity in the 1960s. In Britain, it developed a distinctive and influential style dominated by electric gu ...
that neither chokes on false roots nor enmires itself in
boogie Boogie is a repetitive, swung note or shuffle rhythm,Burrows, Terry (1995). ''Play Country Guitar'', p.42. Dorling Kindersley Limited, London. . "groove" or pattern used in blues which was originally played on the piano in boogie-woogie mus ...
reductionism. Kevin Coyne's humorously belligerent drawl embodies the band's wit and its
punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...
chauvinism. Mistake: 'Fetch Me My Woman,' which (second mistake) goes on for 7:40."


An established artist

In 1973 he appeared on the BBC's ''
The Old Grey Whistle Test ''The Old Grey Whistle Test'' (sometimes abbreviated to ''Whistle Test'' or ''OGWT'') is a British television music show. The show was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers, commissioned by David Attenborough and aired on BBC2 from 1971 to 1988. ...
'', performing "I Want My Crown" and "House on the Hill" with guitarist Gordon Smith and percussionist Chilli Charles. In 1975 Coyne and his band performed at the alternative festival held to protest against the
Eurovision Song Contest 1975 The Eurovision Song Contest 1975 was the 20th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Stockholm, Sweden, following the country's victory at the with the song " Waterloo" by ABBA. Organised by the European Broadcasting Un ...
in Stockholm; footage from the concert was later released as the 1976 film ''Musikfilmen''. In late 1975 and 1976 Coyne completed the musical ''England, England'', written with playwright Snoo Wilson, and described as "an evocation of the Kray twins". The musical, directed by Dusty Hughes, was performed on stage in August 1977 at the Jeannetta Cochrane Theatre, in
Holborn Holborn ( or ) is a district in central London, which covers the south-eastern part of the London Borough of Camden and a part ( St Andrew Holborn Below the Bars) of the Ward of Farringdon Without in the City of London. The area has its root ...
, London. It was one of the first theatre pieces to reference the fascist associations of a kind of British nationalism that later became more prevalent with the rise of the National Front and the election of
Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the first female British prime ...
. From 18 August to 24 September 1977 it played at the Bush Theatre in Shepherd's Bush. In 1978 Coyne collaborated with fellow Derby Art School graduate Ian Breakwell to produce the film ''The Institution'' based on Breakwell's
Artist Placement Group The Artist Placement Group (APG) was conceived by Barbara Steveni in London in 1965, and established in 1966 as an artist-run organisation seeking to refocus art outside the gallery, predominantly through attaching an artist in a business or governm ...
work at Rampton Secure Hospital in Nottinghamshire. Early in his career, Coyne turned down a meeting with founder of Elektra Records
Jac Holzman Jac Holzman (born September 15, 1931) is an American music businessman, best known as the founder, chief executive officer and head of record label Elektra Records and Nonesuch Records. Holzman commercially helped launch the CD and home video form ...
(Coyne's band Siren were on Elektra in America) to discuss replacing
Jim Morrison James Douglas Morrison (December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971) was an American singer, poet and songwriter who was the lead vocalist of the rock band the Doors. Due to his wild personality, poetic lyrics, distinctive voice, unpredictable and err ...
in
the Doors The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most controversial and influential rock acts ...
. "I didn't like the leather trousers!" was Coynes' alleged reason. Coyne's first solo album ''Case History'' (1972), primarily with just his own voice and guitar, was powerful and direct, was recorded for Peel's Dandelion label. When Dandelion ceased to exist, the album largely sank into obscurity. But not before it had come to the attention of Virgin Records, who were sufficiently impressed to sign Coyne and release his 1973 album '' Marjory Razorblade''. The single "Marlene" (b/w "Everybody Says"), taken from the album and released in August 1973, was the first Virgin single. Coyne was the second artist signed to
Virgin Records Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman (musician), Tom Newman. It ...
, after
Mike Oldfield Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and document ...
, where he continued his uncompromising stance. It was this attitude that endeared him to label-mates such as John Lydon, who played "Eastbourne Ladies" on a Desert Island Discs–type show, and
the Mekons The Mekons are a British band formed in the late 1970s as an art collective. They are one of the longest-running and most prolific of the first-wave British punk rock bands. The band's style has evolved over time to incorporate aspects of ...
, who recorded his "Having a Party", a scathing attack on Richard Branson. Described as being musically "... a mixture of blues and music hall comedy, with a punk edge", the 1973 album contained many notable songs, such as the bitter and irreverent "Eastbourne Ladies" and the plaintive "House on the Hill" about life in a psychiatric institution. It was the record that was to be largely responsible for putting Coyne on the map of mainstream rock. Another Virgin album release, ''Babble'', by Coyne and singer
Dagmar Krause Dagmar Krause (born 4 June 1950) is a German singer, best known for her work with avant-rock groups including Slapp Happy, Henry Cow, and Art Bears. She is also noted for her coverage of songs by Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill and Hanns Eisler. He ...
, courted controversy when Coyne suggested, in the theatre presentation of the piece, that the destructive relationship between the two lovers could have been based on
The Moors Murderers The Moors murders were carried out by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley between July 1963 and October 1965, in and around Manchester, England. The victims were five children—Pauline Reade, John Kilbride, Keith Bennett, Lesley Ann Downey, and Edward E ...
. Two performances at the Theatre Royal in Stratford, London were cancelled at short notice by
Newham Council Newham London Borough Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Newham. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in the United Kingdom capital of London. The council is unusual in that its executive function is controlled by a ...
following negative press reports in '' The Sun'' and the ''
Evening Standard The ''Evening Standard'', formerly ''The Standard'' (1827–1904), also known as the ''London Evening Standard'', is a local free daily newspaper in London, England, published Monday to Friday in tabloid format. In October 2009, after be ...
''. The show was eventually staged, for four nights, at the Oval House in Kennington. Reviewing the show for the ''
NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a 'rock inkie', the NME would become a magazine that ended up as a f ...
'',
Paul Du Noyer Paul Du Noyer (born Paul Anthony Du Noyer; 21 May 1954) is an English rock journalist and author. He was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, and educated at the London School of Economics. He has written and edited for the music magazines '' NME'', ' ...
wrote:
"Babble" is a particularly thorough, painstaking exploration of the reality of one relationship, stripped of romance and artifice. The format employed is correspondingly stark. Against a stage-set of light-bulb, table and chairs Coyne and his partner
Dagmar Krause Dagmar Krause (born 4 June 1950) is a German singer, best known for her work with avant-rock groups including Slapp Happy, Henry Cow, and Art Bears. She is also noted for her coverage of songs by Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill and Hanns Eisler. He ...
stand at either side; the only accompaniment comes from Bob Ward and Brian Godding, playing electric and acoustic guitar in the gloom behind.
American singer/songwriter
Will Oldham Joseph Will Oldham (born January 15, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded in collaboration with dozens of other musicians under variations of Palace (Palace, Palace Flophouse, Palace Br ...
claimed that the ''Babble'' album had "changed my life" and he recorded two of the songs himself. Oldham also went on to form a side project called The Babblers – who strictly played covers of songs from Babble. Extracts from a performance of ''Babble'', in Berlin, were included in the short German film ''Herz Aus Feuer'' (1979) by Claudia Strauven and Wolfgang Kraesze. The album '' Politicz'', featuring Peter Kirtley on guitar and Steve Bull on keyboards, was released in 1982.
AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...
's reviewer Dean McFarlane described the album as "One of the British singer/songwriter's more outwardly experimental records, this album contains some of his most intimate work, deeply personal songs and techniques which were taking him further and further away from tradition... strictly a post-punk album with a humorous political agenda". The same year Coyne appeared in concert with his band (Kirtley and Bull augmented by Steve Lamb on bass and Dave Wilson on drums), live in front of the Berlin Wall at the Tempodrom. The concert was later issued on the 2008 DVD ''At the Last Wall'' (Dockland Productions, Meyer Records).


Nuremberg

Following a
nervous breakdown A mental disorder, also referred to as a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitt ...
and increasing difficulties with drink, Coyne left the UK in 1985. He settled in
Nuremberg Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ...
,
West Germany West Germany is the colloquial term used to indicate the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG; german: Bundesrepublik Deutschland , BRD) between its formation on 23 May 1949 and the German reunification through the accession of East Germany on 3 O ...
and having given up alcohol, never stopped recording and touring, as well as writing books and exhibiting his paintings. A selection of Coyne's writings, including many of his poems, can be viewed on the internet. Coyne's move to Germany saw his writing and painting career truly blossom. He published four books, two of which, ''Showbusiness'' and ''Party Dress'', were published by
Serpent's Tail Serpent's Tail is London-based independent publishing firm founded in 1986 by Pete Ayrton. It specialises in publishing work in translation, particularly European crime fiction. In January 2007, it was bought by a British publisher Profile Book ...
in London. There were numerous exhibitions of his visual work throughout Europe and the response was reassuringly strong. Those in Berlin,
Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 907,976 within the city proper, 1,558,755 in the urban ar ...
and
Zürich , neighboring_municipalities = Adliswil, Dübendorf, Fällanden, Kilchberg, Maur, Oberengstringen, Opfikon, Regensdorf, Rümlang, Schlieren, Stallikon, Uitikon, Urdorf, Wallisellen, Zollikon , twintowns = Kunming, San Francisco Zürich ...
being particularly well reviewed and attended. The paintings gained some notoriety and still attract commercial attention today. In the late 1980s Coyne acted on stage, playing the small part of a rock star in '' Linie Eins'' (''Line One''), a German musical, at the Nuremberg Opera House, but appearing only at the very end of the play. His 1995 album, ''The Adventures of Crazy Frank'', was based on a stage musical about English comedian
Frank Randle Frank Randle (born Arthur Hughes, also known as Arthur McEvoy or Arthur Twist; 30 January 1901 – 7 July 1957) was an English comedian. A contemporary of fellow Lancastrians George Formby and Gracie Fields, he was regarded as more subv ...
– with Coyne in the title role. It also starred the singer Julia Kempken who was erroneously listed in the '' Guardian'' obituary as Kevin's wife. Kempken later wrote fondly of this mistake, suggesting that her performance on stage as Randle's wife had been so strong as to transform her, in the eyes of the press, into Kevin's actual wife. In reality Kevin married only twice, first to Lesley and second to Helmi, having another relationship between the two which saw the birth of his son Nico. In Germany his sons from his first marriage, Eugene and
Robert The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...
, appeared on recordings such as ''Tough And Sweet'' (1993) and ''Sugar Candy Taxi'' (1999), with guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Robert joining his band. His later German recordings, including ''Knocking on Your Brain'' (1997) often featured the "Paradise Band". In later years he also collaborated with Brendan Croker on ''Life Is Almost Wonderful'', with
Jon Langford Jonathan Denis Langford (born 11 October 1957) is a Welsh musician and artist based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Langford is a founder member of the punk band The Mekons, the post-punk group The Three Johns, and the alternative count ...
of
the Mekons The Mekons are a British band formed in the late 1970s as an art collective. They are one of the longest-running and most prolific of the first-wave British punk rock bands. The band's style has evolved over time to incorporate aspects of ...
(on ''One Day in Chicago'') and with
Gary Lucas Gary Lucas (born June 20, 1952) is an American guitarist/songwriter/composer who was a member of Captain Beefheart's band. He formed the band Gods and Monsters (band), Gods and Monsters in 1989. Lucas has released more than 50 albums to date a ...
once of Captain Beefheart's
Magic Band The 6-meter band is the lowest portion of the very high frequency (VHF) radio spectrum internationally allocated to amateur radio use. The term refers to the average signal wavelength of 6 meters. Although located in the lower portion of t ...
(on ''Knocking on Your Brain''). A reunion with original Siren members Dave Clague and Nick Cudworth happened for a John Peel's Dandelion Records DVD, alongside solo performances by Coyne. Siren performed all material for the film without any prior rehearsals. In a 2004 interview with Frank Bangay, Coyne named his favourite blues musicians as
Robert Johnson Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generati ...
,
Leroy Carr Leroy Carr (March 27, 1904 or 1905 – April 29, 1935) was an American blues singer, songwriter and pianist who developed a laid-back, crooning technique and whose popularity and style influenced such artists as Nat King Cole and Ray Charles. Mus ...
,
Peetie Wheatstraw William Bunch (December 21, 1902 – December 21, 1941), known as Peetie Wheatstraw, was an American musician, an influential figure among 1930s blues singers. Early life and career William Bunch was the son of James Bunch and Mary (Burns) Bunc ...
and
Tommy McClennan Tommy McClennan (January 4, 1905 – May 9, 1961) was an American Delta blues singer and guitarist. Life and career McClennan was born in Durant, Mississippi, and grew up in the town. He played and sang blues in a rough, energetic style. H ...
Bangay, Fran
Interview 2004


Death

Diagnosed with lung fibrosis in 2002, Coyne died peacefully at his home. He is survived by his wife Helmi and his sons Eugene, Robert and Nico. His wife Helmi intends to continue releasing recordings Coyne made in his last years, on his own Turpentine Records label. The first was ''Underground'' (2006).


2007 tributes

In 2007, the Nightingales recorded a version of "Good Boy" for their album '' Out of True'',
Jackie Leven Jackie Leven (18 June 1950 – 14 November 2011) was a Scottish songwriter and folk musician. After starting his career as a folk musician in the late 1960s, he first found success with new wave band Doll by Doll. He later recorded as a solo ...
recorded a song about Coyne on his album ''Oh What A Blow The Phantom Dealt Me!'', and "Here Come The Urban Ravens" featured on the album, ''Whispers From The Offing – A Tribute to Kevin Coyne'', put together by Coyne's friend Frank Bangay. The full track listing for the CD version of the album was: # "Black Cloud" – Nigel Burch # "Talking To No One" – Big Mehr and friend # "Born Crazy" – Razz # "Sand All Yellow" –
Goldfish The goldfish (''Carassius auratus'') is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It is commonly kept as a pet in indoor aquariums, and is one of the most popular aquarium fish. Goldfish released into the wild have bec ...
# "Cycling" – Dog Latin # "Marlene" –
Nikki Sudden Adrian Nicholas Godfrey (19 July 195626 March 2006), known professionally as Nikki Sudden, was a prolific English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He co-founded the post-punk band Swell Maps with his brother, Epic Soundtracks, while attending So ...
# "Raindrops on the Window" – Kevin Hewick # "Hello Judas" –
Alternative TV Alternative TV (sometimes known as ATV) are an English band formed in London in 1977. Author Steve Taylor writes: "Alternative TV pioneered reggae rhythms in punk and then moved on to redefine the musical rules". History Alternative TV were fo ...
# "I Only Want To See You Smile" – Veronique Acoustique # "Blame It on the Night" – Grae J Wall # "My Evil Island Home" – Jowe Head # "Case History No 2" – Pascal Regis # "House on the Hill" – Leo O'Kelly # "Mad Boy No2" – Frank Bangay and almost real # "Looking for the River" – Chris Connelly # "Victoria Smiles" –
Heinz Rudolf Kunze Heinz Rudolf Erich Arthur Kunze (born 30 November 1956, in Espelkamp-Mittwald, North Rhine-Westphalia) is a German writer and rock singer. His greatest hit was ''Dein ist mein ganzes Herz'' (not to be confused with the homonymous song from the op ...
# "Are We Dreaming?" – The Otters (Ft. Mark Astronaut) # "Strange Pictures" – Dave Russell # "Weirdo" – Joey Stack # "A Loving Hand" – Clive Product # "Lonesome Valley" – Stumble on the Valves # "Here Come The Urban Ravens" –
Jackie Leven Jackie Leven (18 June 1950 – 14 November 2011) was a Scottish songwriter and folk musician. After starting his career as a folk musician in the late 1960s, he first found success with new wave band Doll by Doll. He later recorded as a solo ...
*The downloaded version also includes two bonus tracks – Sally Timm's "I'm Just A Man" and
Jon Langford Jonathan Denis Langford (born 11 October 1957) is a Welsh musician and artist based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Langford is a founder member of the punk band The Mekons, the post-punk group The Three Johns, and the alternative count ...
's "Having a Party" in Coyne's own voice. In 2008 Swiss performance artist
Pipilotti Rist Pipilotti Elisabeth Rist (born 21 June 1962) is a Swiss visual artist best known for creating experimental video art and installation art. Her work is often described as surreal, intimate, abstract art, having a preoccupation with the female b ...
produced a video in which she mimes "Jackie and Edna" against the background of various images, including film taken from a moving train. This video was exhibited in
Helsinki Helsinki ( or ; ; sv, Helsingfors, ) is the capital, primate, and most populous city of Finland. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is the seat of the region of Uusimaa in southern Finland, and has a population of . The city ...
's Kiasma Gallery in January 2012 as part of the "Thank you for the Music" exhibition.


Critical appraisal

Although Coyne has been neglected by popular music historians and academics, George McKay's 2013 book ''Shakin' All Over: Popular Music and Disability'', features a critical discussion of Coyne's work. The book opens with an epigraph from Coyne: 'anything that rhymes with "me"' (from the song "Fat Girl" as performed on the 1977 album ''In Living Black and White''). Describing him as 'the great lost English singer-songwriter' with his 'social-work approach to pop', McKay discusses the 1978 song "Having a Party" in the context of songs about the destructive economy of the pop industry. He also notes Coyne's 'anti-star' status and his innovative 'anti'-guitar playing: "Not being able, or electing not, to play the instrument "properly", and hearing other voices while singing: there is something culturally disabling about each of these artistic choices, quite apart from the lyrical terrain". On 15 June 2017 Coyne was commemorated with the unveiling of a blue plaque at the University of Derby Art School. In January 2018, an exhibition of Coyne's work was staged at the city gallery Alte Feuerwache in Amberg An exhibition, accompanied by a 70-page catalogue, compiled by Stefan Voit, was held from 9 June to 5 August 2018, at the Städtische Galerie Cordonhaus in
Cham Cham or CHAM may refer to: Ethnicities and languages *Chams, people in Vietnam and Cambodia **Cham language, the language of the Cham people ***Cham script *** Cham (Unicode block), a block of Unicode characters of the Cham script *Cham Albania ...
.


Discography


Albums


Solo and with his band

* ''Live At
Rockpalast ''Rockpalast'' (''Rock Palace'') is a German music television show that broadcasts live on German television station Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR). ''Rockpalast'' started in 1974 and continues to this day. Hundreds of rock, heavy metal and jazz ...
1979''. (2CDs + DVD) - 2019 (Mig Music/
Indigo Indigo is a deep color close to the color wheel blue (a primary color in the RGB color space), as well as to some variants of ultramarine, based on the ancient dye of the same name. The word "indigo" comes from the Latin word ''indicum'', m ...
; also previous editions without video, by other publishers.) * ''Voice Of The Outsider: The Best of Kevin Coyne'' – 2013 (Spectrum Audio) * ''I Want My Crown: The Anthology 1973-1980'' (CD boxed-set) – 2010 * ''On Air'' – 2008 (Live at
Radio Bremen Radio Bremen (RB), Germany's smallest public radio and television broadcaster, is the legally mandated broadcaster for the city-state Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (which includes Bremerhaven). With its headquarters sited in Bremen, Radio Brem ...
, 18 August 1975) * ''Underground'' – 2006 * ''One Day in Chicago'' (with
Jon Langford Jonathan Denis Langford (born 11 October 1957) is a Welsh musician and artist based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Langford is a founder member of the punk band The Mekons, the post-punk group The Three Johns, and the alternative count ...
& the Pine Valley Cosmonauts) – 2005 (Buried Treasure Records) * ''Donut City'' – 2004 (Turpentine Records) * ''Carnival'' – 2002 (
Ruf Records Ruf Records is a German independent record label, which was founded in 1994 by Luther Allison’s manager, Thomas Ruf, to promote Allison's career. The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in ...
) * ''Life is Almost Wonderful'' (with Brendan Croker) – 2002 * ''Room Full of Fools'' – 2000 (Ruf Records) * ''Sugar Candy Taxi'' – 2000 (Ruf Records) * ''Bittersweet Lovesongs'' – 2000 * ''Live Rough and More'' – 1997 (Golden Hind) * ''Knocking on Your Brain'' – 1997 * ''The Adventures of Crazy Frank'' – 1995 * ''Elvira: Songs from the Archives 1979–83'' – 1994 * ''Sign of the Times'' – 1994 * ''Tough and Sweet'' – 1993 * ''Burning Head'' – 1992 * ''Wild Tiger Love'' – 1991 * ''Peel Sessions'' – 1991 * ''Romance – Romance'' – 1990 * ''Everybody's Naked'' – 1988 * ''Stumbling on to Paradise'' – 1987 * ''Rough'' – 1985 * ''Legless In Manila'' – 1984 * ''Beautiful Extremes et cetera'' – 1983 * '' Politicz'' – 1982 * ''Live in Berlin'' – 1981 * ''
Pointing the Finger ''Pointing the Finger'' is a studio album by the rock artist Kevin Coyne, released in 1981. Critical reception ''The Globe and Mail'' wrote that "Coyne, like Van Morrison, can be repetitious and his emotional range seems limited at times—but ...
'' – 1981 * ''The Dandelion Years'' – 1981 * ''
Sanity Stomp ''Sanity Stomp'' is a double studio album by British rock artist Kevin Coyne which was released in 1980 by Virgin Records. Background Of this album Coyne himself said: I was quite ill when I made that record, as a matter of fact; I was quit ...
'' (with Robert Wyatt) – 1980 * ''
Bursting Bubbles ''Bursting Bubbles'' is a studio album by the British rock musician Kevin Coyne, with Dagmar Krause, which was released in 1980. Colin Larkin in the 2011 edition of his ''Encyclopedia of Popular Music,'' gives the album three stars. The alb ...
'' – 1980 (
Virgin Records Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman (musician), Tom Newman. It ...
) * '' Millionaires and Teddy Bears'' – 1979 (Virgin Records) * '' Dynamite Daze'' – 1978 (Virgin Records) * ''Beautiful Extremes'' – 1977 (Virgin Records) * ''In Living Black and White'' – 1977 (Virgin Records) * ''
Heartburn Heartburn, also known as pyrosis, cardialgia or acid indigestion, is a burning sensation in the central chest or upper central abdomen. Heartburn is usually due to regurgitation of gastric acid (gastric reflux) into the esophagus. It is the m ...
'' – 1976 (Virgin Records) * ''Let's Have A Party'' – 1976 (compilation) (Virgin Records) * '' Matching Head and Feet'' – 1975 (Virgin Records) * ''Blame It on the Night'' – 1974 (Virgin Records) * '' Marjory Razorblade'' – 1973 (Virgin Records) * '' Case History'' – 1972 ( Dandelion Records) * ''The Club Rondo'' – 1995 (with Siren, material recorded in 1969/1971) (DJC Records) * ''Let's do it'' – 1994 (with Siren, with material recorded in 1969/1970) (DJC Records) * ''Rabbits'' – 1994 (with Siren, material recorded in 1969/70) (DJC Records)


With Siren

* ''Strange Locomotion'' – 1971 * ''Siren'' – 1969


With

Dagmar Krause Dagmar Krause (born 4 June 1950) is a German singer, best known for her work with avant-rock groups including Slapp Happy, Henry Cow, and Art Bears. She is also noted for her coverage of songs by Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill and Hanns Eisler. He ...

* ''Babble – Songs for Lonely Lovers'' – 1979


Singles

* "Mandy Lee / Bottle Up and Go" – 1969 * "The Stride / I Wonder Where" – 1969 * "Ze-Ze-Ze-Ze / And I Wonder" – 1970 * "Strange Locomotion / I'm All Aching" – 1971 * "Cheat Me / Flowering Cherry" – 1972 * "Marlene / Everybody Says" – 1973 * "Lovesick Fool / Sea of Love" – 1973 * "Marlene / Sea of Love" – 1973 * "Marlene / Jackie and Edna" – 1973 * "I Believe in Love / Queenie Queenie Caroline" – 1974 * "Rock 'n' Roll Hymn / It's Not Me" – 1975 * "Saviour / Rock 'n' Roll Hymn" – 1975 * "Lorna / Let's Have A Party" – 1975 * "Let's Have A Party / Lorna" – 1975 * "Saviour / Lonely Lovers" – 1975 * "Don't Make Waves / Mona Where's My Trousers" – 1976 * "Walk on By / Shangri-la" – 1976 * "Fever / Daddy" – 1976 * "Marlene / England Is Dying" – 1977 * "Amsterdam / I Really Love You" – 1978 * "I'll Go Too / Having A Party" – 1979 * "So Strange / Father, Dear Father" – 1982 * "Happy Holiday (Open and Close) / Pretty Park" – 1985


Books

* ''The Party Dress'' - (1990), London:
Serpent's Tail Serpent's Tail is London-based independent publishing firm founded in 1986 by Pete Ayrton. It specialises in publishing work in translation, particularly European crime fiction. In January 2007, it was bought by a British publisher Profile Book ...
* ''Paradise'' (in German) - (1992), Cadolzburg: Ars-Vivendi-Verl * ''Show Business'' - (1993), London: Serpent's Tail * ''Tagebuch eines Teddybären'' (in German) - (1993) * ''Ich, Elvis und Die Anderen'' (in German) - (2000) * ''That Old Suburban Angst'' – (2004), Tony Donaghy Publishing,


DVDs

* ''At the Last Wall: Live At The Tempodrom 1982'' / ''The Unknown Famous'' - July 2008 (Dockland Productions, Meyer Records) Directed by Diethard Küster. * ''John Peel's Dandelion Records'' - 2008 ( Ozit/Morpheus Records) * ''Live At
Rockpalast ''Rockpalast'' (''Rock Palace'') is a German music television show that broadcasts live on German television station Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR). ''Rockpalast'' started in 1974 and continues to this day. Hundreds of rock, heavy metal and jazz ...
1979'' (2CDs + DVD) - 2019 ( Mig Music/
Indigo Indigo is a deep color close to the color wheel blue (a primary color in the RGB color space), as well as to some variants of ultramarine, based on the ancient dye of the same name. The word "indigo" comes from the Latin word ''indicum'', m ...
; also previous editions without video, by other publishers.)


Film

* ''The Institution'' (with Ian Breakwell) – 1978


References


External links


Official Kevin Coyne Site
* * from ''
TopPop ''TopPop'' is the first regular dedicated pop music television series in the Dutch language area. The Netherlands broadcaster AVRO aired the programme weekly, from 22 September 1970, to 27 June 1988. Presenter Ad Visser hosted for its first fif ...
'' (recorded 1-2-1978 but never broadcast) {{DEFAULTSORT:Coyne, Kevin 1944 births 2004 deaths English male singer-songwriters 20th-century English painters English male painters 21st-century English painters English male poets English short story writers People from Derby Musicians from Nuremberg Musicians from Derby Virgin Records artists Elektra Records artists Blast First artists Cherry Red Records artists Writers who illustrated their own writing Album-cover and concert-poster artists Dandelion Records artists English male short story writers 20th-century English singers 20th-century British male singers Ruf Records artists 20th-century English male writers 20th-century English male artists 21st-century English male artists