Jackie Leven
June 18, 1950 – November 14, 2011
Jackie Leven was an influential Scottish folk singer who actually first found recognition as part of a new wave band, Doll by Doll. The group, formed by Leven in 1975, was critically acclaimed, but never quite caught on like many of its peers, perhaps due to their darker sound. Following the break up of Doll by Doll in 1983, Leven went on to have a notable solo career during which time he released over 20 albums. In 1984, Leven was randomly attacked and strangled which left him unable to speak for nearly two years. In 1994, Leven signed with the influential Cooking Vinyl Records, who was also home, at one point of another, to Billy Bragg, Prodigy, Killing Joke, and the Lemonheads, to name a few. He released his final album, Wayside Shrines And The Code Of The Traveling Man, in September of 2011. Jackie Leven died of lung cancer on November 14, 2011. He was 61.
Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.
What You Should Own
As well as keeping us up on who’s passed away, you also turn me on to some great music I never heard of, like Jackie Leven. Good stuff!
Thanks Steve – I turned myself on to Jackie Leven too!