Justin Robert Currie (born 11 December 1964) is a Scottish singer and songwriter best known as a founding member of the alternative rock band Del Amitri.
Justin Currie | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Justin Robert Currie |
| Born | 11 December 1964 |
| Origin | Glasgow, Scotland |
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| Years active | 1983–present |
| Member of | |
| Website | justincurrie |
Career
editDel Amitri
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Justin Currie was born in Glasgow and established the band Del Amitri in the early 1980s[1] after putting up a sign in a music shop asking for other people who could play instruments to get in contact with him.[2] In addition to being the lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the band, Currie also plays bass with them.[3] Between 1985 and 2002, the band released six studio albums. Their single, "Nothing Ever Happens" reached No. 11 in the UK, and their 1995 single "Roll to Me" reached the top ten in both Canada and the US.[2] Five Del Amitri albums have reached the Top 10 in the UK.[4] Globally, Del Amitri have sold six million albums.[5]
The Uncle Devil Show
editJustin Currie with Kevin and Jim McDermott released the studio album A Terrible Beauty under the moniker the Uncle Devil Show in 2004.
Solo career
editIn addition to his career with Del Amitri, Currie is also a solo artist. In 2006 he was a special guest on Tom McRae's Hotel Cafe Tour. In 2005 he wrote and recorded an album with the working title Rebound. It was subsequently re-titled What Is Love For and released on Rykodisc on 8 October 2007. A single and extended play (EP) from the album, "No, Surrender", was released on 24 March 2008.[citation needed]
Currie's second solo studio album The Great War was released on 3 May 2010, a single titled "A Man with Nothing to Do" was released on 26 April 2010.[6]
A third solo studio album, titled Lower Reaches, recorded in Texas, and was released on 19 August 2013.[7] It is preceded by a free download of the track "Little Stars", plus a track released to radio in July 2013, "Bend to My Will". The album reached number 46 in the UK Albums Chart.[citation needed]
In 2017, he released his fourth studio album, This Is My Kingdom Now.
Solo discography
edit- 2007: What Is Love For UK number 106
- 2010: The Great War UK number 90[8]
- 2013: Lower Reaches UK number 46[8]
- 2017: This Is My Kingdom Now UK number 54[8]
Family and personal life
editCurrie’s father John Currie was chorusmaster for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus from 1965 to 1984 and music director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale from 1986 to 1991.[9]
Currie's cousin is singer-songwriter Nick Currie, known as "Momus".[10]
As of 2013 Currie had been in a relationship for 13 years with his girlfriend Emma.[11]
In 2024, Currie revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.[12]
References
edit- ^ McCormack, Kirsty (24 January 2014). "'We're so nervous' Del Amitri's Justin Currie on being unsure about the band's comeback". Express.co.uk.
- ^ a b McLaughlin, Chloe (3 July 2018). "Exclusive interview with Justin Currie of Del Amitri " Northern Life".
- ^ "Story of Del Amitri to be told in new book". Scotsman.com.
- ^ Dingwall, John (26 May 2018). "Scottish rockers Del Amitri to return with song about Princess Diana's death". dailyrecord.
- ^ English, Paul (12 January 2014). "Del Amitri: We'll play our hometown for first time in 12 years but it's not a reunion.. we never split up". dailyrecord.
- ^ "Justin Currie". Rykopress. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- ^ Hutchinson, Andrew (14 February 2013). "Music interview: Justin Currie". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- ^ a b c "JUSTIN CURRIE - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com.
- ^ "Obituary: John Currie, a charismatic and influential figure in choral music". Heraldscotland.com. 29 May 2020.
- ^ "All I want for Christmas is six Momus albums, says Andrew Eaton". Scotsman.com.
- ^ "Justin Currie: Del Amitri and me". Scotsman.com. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Del Amitri singer: I know Parkinson's will stop me". BBC News. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
External links
edit- Official website
- Justin Currie at AllMusic
- Justin Currie discography at Discogs
- Justin Currie at IMDb
- BUTTON UP featuring Justin Currie (East Grange Loft, Forres, 21 August 2003) HI-Arts, 22 August 2003 - Review of first Button Up concert, 2003
