How sad to read that Iain Sutherland died, a few weeks before Christmas, of an unspecified illness.
I was chuffed to bits when @Bargepole asked me to review the recent box-set ofThe Sutherland Brothers career and it renewed my love for a band I adored in the 70’s.
Iain wrote the bulk of their songs, with brother Gavin chipping in the odd one or two per album, including the widely covered Sailing.
They were a terrific live band, with Quiver, and I saw them a few times.
RIP Iain.
niallb says
Vulpes Vulpes says
I had several of their albums, but bought the box anyway after reading your review – like you I saw them play a couple of times back in the Quiver days, liked them and still like them, and I’m glad I filled in the gaps with this set.
I had no idea he’d been ill, or was in any danger of permanently leaving the stage, so this does come as a surprise. Condolences to all family and friends; I’ll be breaking out the box again this evening as a salute.
Baron Harkonnen says
Sad news, I’ve been a fan since the mid-70’s. Iain wrote great music and played in a great if under appreciated band.
Col D says
There’s an interesting comment from Iain on SB&Q’s Facebook page that throws the authorship of Sailing into some doubt, posted around a year ago. “Sailing is one of several of my songs wrongly credited in the early `70`s – a pain for all concerned ever since- most people still get it wrong!” The first time I’ve seen anything that contradicts the accepted wisdom that it was Gavin’s song.
https://www.facebook.com/sutherland.brothers/
Mike_H says
Unless he’s talking about people assuming it was him that wrote it.
Mike_H says
Unless he’s talking about people assuming it was him that wrote it, because he was the most prolific of the two.
niallb says
I must admit it never sounded like one of Iain’s.