14 Facts About Alan Hull

James Alan Hull was an English singer-songwriter and founding member of the Tyneside folk rock band Lindisfarne.

James Alan Hull was born on Tuesday, 20 February 1945 at 68 Sutton's Dwellings, Adelaide Terrace, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Alan Hull began piano lessons at the age of nine, and guitar lessons two years later.

Alan Hull attended Rutherford Grammar School, Newcastle after sitting the eleven-plus in 1956 and was given a guitar at the age of twelve.

Alan Hull became a member of the band The Chosen Few alongside keyboard player Mick Gallagher.

Alan Hull supported himself by working as a window cleaner, one year by working as a nurse at a mental hospital and as a driver for Newcastle Co-op TV Department while appearing as a folk singer and guitarist in local clubs before helping to form Brethren and Downtown Faction, which evolved into Lindisfarne in 1970.

Alan Hull released a one-off solo single, "We Can Swing Together", which was re-recorded with the group on their first album, Nicely Out of Tune, and became a regular favourite in their stage performances.

Alan Hull released his first solo album, Pipedream, the same year and published a book of poems, Mocking Horse.

Alan Hull appeared in "Squire", an episode of the BBC's Second City Firsts drama series.

Lindisfarne disbanded in 1973 and Alan Hull released a second solo album, Squire, then formed the short-lived Radiator, which included drummer Ray Laidlaw of Lindisfarne and Jack the Lad.

Alan Hull performed in Blackpool to coincide with the Labour Party conference in 1990, and played at numerous benefit concerts for striking or redundant miners and shipyard workers.

Alan Hull's ashes were later scattered at the mouth of the River Tyne.

Alan Hull married Patricia Sharp on 22 August 1966, and they had three daughters.

Drummer Ray Laidlaw expressed the view that, despite Lindisfarne's success, Alan Hull had not received sufficient recognition as "a 'world-class' songwriter", and he hoped to establish Alan Hull's place in music history.