MacColl, Kirsty (1959–2000)

views updated

MacColl, Kirsty (1959–2000)

English singer and songwriter. Born Oct 10, 1959, in London, England; died Dec 18, 2000, in Cozumel, Mexico; dau. of Ewen MacColl (folk musician); m. Steve Lillywhite (music producer), 1984 (div. 1997); children: 2 sons.

Collaborated with Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, and Van Morrison, among others, and was known for witty but moving songs; signed with Stiff Records at 16; had unsuccessful debut single "They Don't Know" (1979), which became hit for Tracey Ullman in UK (1983); mixed country, rockabilly, and pop in "Chip Shop" and Desperate Character (1981); had one of UK's biggest Christmas hits, "Fairytale of New York" (1987), a duet with the Pogues' Shane McGowan; released 1st US album, Kite (1989), then Electric Landlady (1991), both featuring collaborations with guitarists Johnny Marr, Mark E. Nevin, and Marshall Crenshaw; released Titanic Days (1993) and Galore (1995); made guest appearances on recordings, including for Billy Bragg (late 1990s); released Tropical Brainstorm and What Do Pretty Girls Do? (2000), a collection of BBC radio sessions (recorded 1989–95).