Henry McCullough
Henry Campbell Liken McCullough (21 July 1943 – 14 June 2016)[1] was a musician and singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland. He was best known for his work as a member of Spooky Tooth, The Grease Band and Paul McCartney and Wings. He also performed and recorded as a solo artist and session musician.
Not to be confused with Jimmy McCulloch.
Henry McCullough
Henry Campbell Liken McCullough
21 July 1943
Portstewart, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
14 June 2016 (aged 72)
Ballywindelland, Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Musician
- singer
- songwriter
1961–2012
Early life[edit]
McCullough was born in Portstewart, County Londonderry, to a Protestant family.[2] He first came to prominence in the early 1960s as the teenage lead guitarist with the Skyrockets showband from Enniskillen.[3]
In 1964, with three other members of the Skyrockets, he left and formed a new showband fronted by South African- born vocalist Gene Chetty, which they named Gene and the Gents. In 1967, McCullough moved to Belfast where he joined Chris Stewart (bass), Ernie Graham (vocals) and Dave Lutton (drums) to form the psychedelic band the People. Later that year the band moved to London and were signed by Chas Chandler's management team, who changed the group's name to Éire Apparent. Under Chandler's guidance after a single release they toured with groups such as Pink Floyd, Soft Machine, the Move and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, as well as Eric Burdon and the Animals. In mid-February 1968, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, while the band was touring with the Animals, McCullough returned to the United Kingdom, officially because of "visa problems", and Mick Cox flew out to take his place in the band.[4] Back in Ireland, around May 1968, McCullough joined folk group Sweeney's Men.[5]
1970s[edit]
McCullough returned to London around 1969 to work with Joe Cocker as a member of his backing band, the Grease Band. With Cocker he toured the U.S. and performed at the Woodstock Festival.[1][6] He later played on the Grease Band's eponymous album. During his time with the band he appeared as lead guitarist on the studio album of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar (1970) and on the progressive Spooky Tooth album The Last Puff (1970).[7]
In January 1972 Paul McCartney asked McCullough to join his new band, Wings, with an eye toward starting a tour of British universities.[8] McCullough's first recording with Wings was the February 1972 protest single, "Give Ireland Back to the Irish".[9] The song, which expressed outrage at the events of Bloody Sunday, proved controversial. McCartney was accused by the British media of expressing support for the Irish Republican Army, and author Howard Sounes suggests that McCullough, as an Ulster Protestant with British unionist sympathies, may have had his misgivings about releasing the song as a single.[10] He spent more than a year in the band, playing lead guitar on several singles, including "Hi, Hi, Hi", "Live and Let Die" and "My Love", as well as on the album Red Rose Speedway.[7] Musical and business differences with McCartney, however, saw McCullough leave on the eve of the Band on the Run sessions in August 1973.[11]
McCullough's spoken words "I don't know; I was really drunk at the time" can be heard on the Pink Floyd album The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), at the end of the song "Money". He was recalling a fight he had the night before with his wife.[12]
In 1975 McCullough joined the Frankie Miller Band with bassist Chris Stewart, keyboard player Mick Weaver and drummer Stu Perry. They recorded the album, The Rock with Miller. Later the same year McCullough released Mind Your Own Business on George Harrison's Dark Horse label.[7]
McCullough played concerts as a session musician with Roy Harper, Frankie Miller, Eric Burdon, Marianne Faithfull, Ronnie Lane and Donovan. In 1977 he temporarily joined Dr. Feelgood, following the departure of Wilko Johnson.[13]
1990s[edit]
In 1998 McCullough travelled to Poland, where he rehearsed with a band of Polish musicians for a tour. After the tour, they recorded a 'live' album which was released as Blue Sunset. This was followed by a further Polish tour. On returning home, McCullough recorded and released "Failed Christian", a song that has since been covered by Nick Lowe on his album Dig My Mood.[14]
2010s[edit]
McCullough remained active in the European music scene and played regular live gigs with artists including Ed Deane, James Delaney, Noel Bridgeman, also John Quearney. In 2011 Henry collaborated with songwriter Paul Doherty and the Vals on the track "Look to the One". The song gained worldwide airplay, with McCullough contributing backing vocals and guitar.[16]
Health problems and death[edit]
McCullough suffered a heart attack in November 2012, leaving him in critical condition.[17] His death was mistakenly reported on Ronan Collins's RTÉ Radio 1 show on 7 November and the BBC also apologised after prematurely reporting his death.[18] In an interview with website Something Else, Denny Seiwell, who had played with McCullough in Wings, stated that it was doubtful McCullough would make a complete recovery.[19]
On 17 March 2015, a benefit concert for McCullough was held at the Half Moon music venue in Putney, featuring Paul Carrack, Nick Lowe, Andy Fairweather Low, Suggs and Bobby Tench (who also performed with the backing band).[20] The backing band was named Henry's Heroes, and included Tim Hinkley, Mel Collins, Neil Hubbard and John Halsey[21] and bass player Kuma Harada.[22]
On 14 June 2016, his wife Josie confirmed that McCullough had died at his home at Ballywindelland, Ballymoney, County Antrim, earlier that morning after a long illness. He had never fully recovered from the heart attack he suffered in 2012.[23] Some sources state he also suffered a major stroke.[24][25]