William Stuart Adamson (11 April 1958 – 16 December 2001) was an English-born Scottish guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, described by broadcaster and DJ John Peel as “Britain’s answer to Jimi Hendrix”. He founded the Scottish art-punk band Skids and later the more mainstream rock group Big Country, as well as the 1990s alternative country rock act The Raphaels. He committed suicide in 2001.
December 16, 2001, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Place Of Birth
Manchester, England, UK
Profession
Soundtrack, Music Department, Actor
Education
Beath High School
Children
Calum Adamson, Kirsten Adamson
Music Groups
Big Country (1981 – 2001), Skids (1977 – 1980), The Raphaels (2001), Band Aid (1984)
Star Sign
Aries
#
Quote
1
Music used to be a thing where working people got together on a Saturday night and played some songs. Someone'd play the guitar or the fiddle or an accordion. No bastard'd played the synthesiser. Stuart Adamson
#
Fact
1
First achieved success with the punk band, The Skids, with Richard Jobson as vocalist and Adamson on guitar.
2
Big Country were one of the first Western bands to play in Russia.
3
Overcame alcohol problems and stayed sober for many years prior to his death.
4
Owned a bar in Dunfermline, but sold it when moving to Nashville.
5
Was a big supporter of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club and was a season ticket holder for many years.
6
In 1985, sang in the finale at Live Aid. Big Country were overlooked to play in the main concert as Bob Geldof thought they had split up.
7
May 31, 2002...A tribute concert in honour of Stuart was played in Glasgow, Scotland. Many established musicians performed on the night, including his old friend, Richard Jobson, with whom he had formed the band, The Skids, over 20 years before. Other performers included Hugh Cornwell, Midge Ure, Kirk Brandon, Bill Nelson and Adamson's 2 children.
8
He was living with his son in Nashville, Tennessee.
9
2 children by first wife Sandra, Calum, 19 and Kirsten 17.
10
He was born in Manchester, but grew up in Crossgates near Dunfermline, Fife, and formed the punk group, The Skids, in the 1970s. He went on to form Big Country, which had a string of hits during the 1980s as well as eight successful albums. In 1986, he told how he had suffered a nervous breakdown six years before and was on the verge of another due to stress and overwork. He was found dead in a Hawaii hotel room. He went missing in November 2001 from his home in Nashville, Tennessee - 2nd time in two years that it had happened. He left a note for his son Calum on 7 November 2001 saying "back by noon Sunday", but was not seen again after that.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2015
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1979
2014
TV Movie documentary writer: "Into the Valley", "Working for the Yankee Dollar"
Dom Hemingway
2013
as Adamson, "In A Big Country"
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1978
2013
TV Movie documentary writer: "The Saints Are Coming"
Live from Studio Five
2010
TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
2009
writer: "The Saints Are Coming"
Provinssirock 30
2008
TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
Ashes to Ashes
2008
TV Series writer - 1 episode
16 Years of Alcohol
2003
writer: "Calling The Tune"
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
2002
Video Game writer: "In a Big Country"
New Wave Hits of the 80's: Just Can't Get Enough Vol. 2
1994
Video short writer: "In a Big Country"
Against All Odds
1984
writer: "BALCONY" - as Stewart Adamson
Top of the Pops
TV Series writer - 8 episodes, 1979 - 1980 music - 1 episode, 1979
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Restless Natives
1985
music arranger - as Big Country / music performer - as Big Country / music producer: soundtrack
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Seer: Live in New York
1986
Video
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Restless Natives
1985
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Big Country the Final Fling
2002
Video
Himself
Popped In, Crashed Out
1999
TV Series
Himself
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
1999
TV Series
Himself
GMTV
1995
TV Series
Himself
Pebble Mill at One
1995
TV Series
Himself
Littlejohn Live and Uncut
1995
TV Series
Himself
Top of the Pops
1983-1993
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Big Country
Wogan
1988
TV Series
Himself
The Prince's Trust Rock Gala: 10th Birthday
1986
TV Movie documentary
Himself (as Big Country)
The Old Grey Whistle Test
1984-1986
TV Series
Himself
Live Aid
1985
TV Special documentary
Himself (as Big Country)
Oxford Road Show
1985
TV Series
Himself
Pop Quiz
1983-1984
TV Series
Himself
The Tube
1983-1984
TV Series
Himself
Three of a Kind
1983
TV Series
Himself
Cheggers Plays Pop
1983
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Greatest
2009
TV Series documentary
Himself - #14: 'In a Big Country'
We Could Be Kings
2005
Video
Himself (uncredited)
Pure 80's: The DVD
2002
Video
Himself (segment "In a Big Country") (as Big Country)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1985
Grammy
Grammy Awards
Best Album of Instrumental Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special
Against All Odds (1984)
Known for movies
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) as Soundtrack
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009) as Soundtrack
$11 Million
