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Timeline: The Life and Work of  Stuart Adamson

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This timeline presents the key factual moments of Stuart Adamson’s life and career. For a deeper, more narrative journey, click Read more to explore the stories behind the dates.

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1958–1976 — Early Life and First Steps

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• April 1958 – Born in Manchester, England; raised largely in Fife, Scotland.

• Grew up in a musically active household influenced by rock ’n’ roll, country, and folk music.

• Learned acoustic guitar as a child; followed the BBC guitar course Hold Down a Chord with John Pearse.

• By age 12, decided he wanted to be in a band.

• Trained as an Environmental Health Officer after leaving school.

• Formed his first covers band, Tattoo, playing youth clubs and local Highland venues.

• Tattoo dissolved when a member left to join the police.

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1977–1982 — The Skids

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• 1977 – Formed The Skids in Dunfermline with vocalist Richard Jobson.

• Adopted the band name The Skids in June 1977.

• Played early benefit and club shows across Fife.

• Opened for The Clash at the Kinema Ballroom, Dunfermline (late 1977).

• 1978 – Self-released Charles EP on No Bad Records; championed by John Peel.

• Signed to Virgin Records (May 1978).

• Released singles Sweet Suburbia and The Saints Are Coming; appeared on Top of the Pops.

• 1979 – Album Scared to Dance released; Into the Valley reached UK No.10.

• 1980 – The Absolute Game reached UK No.9.

• 1981 – Adamson left The Skids due to exhaustion and internal breakdown.

• Joy released later by Virgin without his involvement.

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1982–1997 — Big Country

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Formation and Breakthrough

• 1981–82 – Began writing new material in Dunfermline with Bruce Watson.

• Formed Big Country; debut show on 4 February 1982 at the Glen Pavilion.

• Lineup finalized with Tony Butler (bass) and Mark Brzezicki (drums).

• September 1982 – Debut single Harvest Home released.

• February 1983 – Fields of Fire entered the UK charts; peaked at No.10.

• August 1983 – Debut album The Crossing released; peaked at No.3 UK, platinum status.

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Peak Years

• 1984 – Wonderland single reached UK No.8.

• Toured extensively across Europe, the US, and Japan.

• October 1984 – Steeltown released; debuted at UK No.1.

• 1985 – Scored film Restless Natives.

• Declined to perform at Live Aid.

• Entered Alcoholics Anonymous; remained sober for 14 years.

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Later 1980s

• 1986 – The Seer released; peaked at UK No.2.

• Toured with Queen, David Bowie, and played Knebworth.

• 1988 – Peace in Our Time released; UK No.9, poor US performance.

• Signed to Warner Bros. in the US.

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1990s Transition

• 1991 – No Place Like Home released; UK No.28.

• 1993 – The Buffalo Skinners released; UK No.25.

• 1995 – Why the Long Face? released; UK No.48.

• 1996 – Unplugged album Eclectic recorded.

• Increasing time spent in Nashville; Big Country activity slowed.

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1997–2001 — The Raphaels and Final Years

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• 1997 – Began relationship with Melanie Shelley; separated from first wife Sandra.

• EMI purchased his songwriting catalogue.

• Collaborated with Ray Davies for live and demo sessions.

• Relocated increasingly to Nashville; collaborated with Marcus Hummon and Darrell Scott.

• Formed The Raphaels with Marcus Hummon.

• 1999 – Big Country released Driving to Damascus; album reached UK No.82.

• Relapsed into alcoholism.

• 2000 – Big Country farewell tour (The Final Fling).

• May 2001 – The Raphaels released Supernatural.

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2001 — Death

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• 26 November 2001 – Reported missing.

• 16 December 2001 – Found deceased in Honolulu, Hawaii.

• Died by suicide at age 43.

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Legacy

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• Remembered as one of Scotland’s most distinctive guitarists and songwriters.

• His work with The Skids and Big Country remains influential for its fusion of punk urgency, folk melody, and widescreen rock ambition.

• Songs such as Into the Valley, In a Big Country, and Fields of Fire continue to define his musical legacy.​

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