Graeme Hunter Kelling, the guitarist of Deacon Blue, died on June 10 of pancreatic cancer. He was 47.
Born in Paisley, Scotland, Kelling always had a passion for music. A self-taught guitarist, he joined his first band, Tune Cookies, in the early 1980s. Kelling developed his technique while working as a session musician. He performed with numerous groups before auditioning for Deacon Blue in 1986.
Deacon Blue became one of Scotland’s biggest acts in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Taking its name from a Steely Dan song, the band consisted of Kelling, Ricky Ross, Lorraine McIntosh, Dougie Vipond, Jim Prime and Ewan Vernall. Deacon Blue topped the U.K. rock charts with hits like “Dignity,” “Fergus Sings the Blues” and “Real Gone Kid,” before breaking up in 1994. The group reunited five years later and released the album, “Walking Back Home.” In the interim, Kelling wrote and produced theme music for television.
Although he was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, Kelling continued performing with the band. His final appearance with Deacon Blue took place on March 26 at the Glasgow Academy.
June 23, 2004 by
Graeme Kelling
Categories: Musicians
Would like to offer my sincere sympathy to all the family. Im sorry i never got to meet him, but i heard a lot of good things about him from his sister Ruth who i worked for.
a french deacon blue fan is really very sad …
stay in peace…
Many happy memories as a young Deacon Blue fan. Your music will live on in those you made so happy. Thanks.
Sad sad news.
I met Graeme in East Kilbride at a radio one roadshow and was a huge Deacon Blue fan, attending the final gig at barrowlands and the charity reunion gig at the concert hall. You were an integral part of a superb band and will be sorely missed, rest in peace…..your spirit will live on in your music.
I LISTENED TO RAINTOWN TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WHAT SEEMS LIKE AGES … I THEN DECIDED TO CHECK OUT THE NET TO SEE WHAT THE BAND HAD BEEN UP TO OVER THE YEARS … I WAS DEEPLY SADDEND AND SHOCKED TO READ GREAME HAD PASSED AWAY … HE WAS MANY PEOPLES INSPIRATION AND ITS A LOSS TO US ALL , MANY THANKS GREAME !
FROM LIAM IN DUBLIN
Just been doing some research on the band members of the best Scotish Group ever when I was very saddened to read about Greame. His magic on the Guitar brought great Deacon Blue songs to life. His riffs on Queen of the New year was superb. Rest with your MP3 player on.
Very saddened over his death Met him in 1999 and then again in 2003. A lovely man who was pleasant to all.