A history of Lindisfarne - Part II: 1974-1987
1974
Lindisfarne MKII release their second album, Happy Daze.
1975
Lindisfarne MKII call it a day in early 1975, disillusioned as mainstream success eludes them. Also released this year was Alan's second solo LP Squire, the title influenced by a TV play of the same name in which Alan had a starring role.
1977
Jack The Lad also disband following their final LP Jackpot (Previous albums being It's Jack The Lad (1973), The Old Straight Track (1974), and Rough Diamonds (1975). Rod had left this band in 1974, being replaced by Ian Walter Fairbairn (violin) and Phil Murray (bass). They would temporarily re-form and tour twenty-odd years later!
Amazingly, the tail end of the year has a reunited original-line-up-Lindisfarne playing three sell out concerts at the Newcastle City Hall - the Lindisfarne Christmas Concerts were now to be a long running institution. By the end of 1977, despite some half hearted denials, Lindisfarne were now back in business!
Around this time, Alan had headed a band called Radiator. They released one album Isn’t It Strange. Most material was repackaged a little later as a solo album entitled Phantoms (1979). A later album of new material was released in 1983 called On The Other Side. Jacka would release his solo In The Night album in 1980.
1978
A reformed Lindisfarne release a new album, Back And Fourth, on Mercury Records.
The LP is produced by Gus Dudgeon, legendary producer Elton John, amongst others.
It is a success, spawning the hit single Run For Home.
1979
The rejuvenated Lindisfarne release another LP, The News, and the band begins a period of intensive touring.
TV appearances of the time include 'Rock Goes to College'.
1982
The marriage to Mercury only lasts a couple of years.
In 1982 they release Sleepless Nights, this album recorded on their own LMP label.
1984
Marty Craggs (saxophone, flute, accordion)- ex Harcourt’s Heroes, is billed as the sixth man during the 1984 Christmas tour.
1986
Dance Your Life Away LP released in 1986, produced by one Steve Daggett- ex Stiletto, who plays with the band for a short period.
The year culminates with the British biggest tour undertaken by anyone so far (at that time) - 47 shows!
1987
The band release of C'mon Everybody (also produced by Daggett), a controversial double album consisting mainly of '50s and '60s rock & roll covers - plus a reworked version of Lady Eleanor (’88) – released as the band's first CD single, available a year later.