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Author Unknown (The Scotsman Online) |
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| The band's manager said last night that despite an up-turn in the band's fortunes, the singer remained "troubled". He recently cancelled a day of media interviews to rush back to his Tennessee home for unexplained personal reasons
A statement released by the band's publicists said: "He [Adamson] was very concerned about the changes that had taken place in his life." The singer moved to Nashville three years ago and was due to fly to Britain yesterday for two concerts supporting Bryan Adams and a television appearance. But Adamson, 40, a father-of-two, failed to catch his flight yesterday and the band cancelled last night's appearance in Aberdeen as well as a performance on tonight's Children in Need TV appeal and a support slot for Adams at the Glasgow SECC. The singer, a recovering alcoholic whose marriage recently broke up and who has suffered a breakdown in the past, moved to Nashville to rekindle his enthusiasm for the industry. Ian Grant, Big Country's manager who has known Adamson for 20 years, and the band's bass player, Tony Butler, said they were baffled by the singer's disappearance and feared for his well-being. Mr Grant, who runs Track Records with Bill Kenwright, the playwright and chairman of Everton Football Club, admitted he was "second-guessing" what had happened to the singer. He said: "I spoke to Stuart last Thursday and expected to speak to him again the following day. He never called . "He has gone through a traumatic time, with his marriage break-up and his move to America. He's a real Scottish lad, but he loves Nashville and was talking about all the projects that are on the go just now. But he was definitely troubled. "[And] the new album . [has been] doing well." He added that it was completely out of character for Adamson to disappear and miss band commitments. Earlier this year, Adamson escaped a fire in his flat in Dunfermline where he was living during a break in recording. The flat is above the pub he runs, Tappie Toories, where staff yesterday refused to comment. Mr Grant said he and Adamson decided on the move to the US three years ago to be closer to his musical roots. "He grew up around country and western music and we both thought it would be great for him to be out there," Mr Grant said. Mr Butler added: "I am concerned and hope he is OK. I don't know what can be going through him mind, I just hope nothing bad has happened." A spokesman for the Nashville police's missing person's bureau said Adamson had not been officially reported missing. Adamson formed Big Country after beginning his career with the Scottish punk band, the Skids. The group's distinctive "bagpipe" guitar sound found worldwide appeal among fans of heavy metal, folk and pop. The band's first success came in 1983, when their debut album The Crossing sold more than three million copies. They had just signed a deal to tour in Japan on the back of their new album, Driving to Damascus, the first time they had visited the country since 1984. Speaking at the album's launch, Adamson said he was enjoying the move to Nashville. "It's the first time I've ever lived in a totally creative community and the first time I have ever co-written with other artists," he said. The band is due to begin a British tour early next month, and the band's management said last night it would delay a decision on whether to cancel the dates. The tour included a concert in Edinburgh and a millennium gig in Aberdeen on 31 December. |
