Runrig

For the cultivation method, see Run rig.

Runrig
Runrig at their final concert show, The Last Dance, Stirling, August 2018
Runrig at their final concert show, The Last Dance, Stirling, August 2018
Background information
Also known asThe Run Rig Dance Band
OriginIsle of Skye, Scotland
GenresCeltic rock, folk rock
Years active1973–2018
LabelsRidge Records, Chrysalis, Columbia
Past membersRory MacDonald
Calum MacDonald
Donnie Munro
Malcolm Jones
Iain Bayne
Pete Wishart
Bruce Guthro
Blair Douglas
Robert Macdonald
Campbell Gunn
Richard Cherns
Brian Hurren
Websitewww.runrig.co.uk

Runrig were a Scottish Celtic rock band formed on the Isle of Skye in 1973. From its inception, the band's line-up included brothers and songwriters Rory MacDonald (bass, vocals) and Calum MacDonald (percussion). The line-up during most of the 1980s and 1990s, which was the band's most successful period commercially, also included Donnie Munro (vocals), Malcolm Jones (guitar), Iain Bayne (drums), and Pete Wishart (keyboards). Munro left the band in 1997 to pursue a career in politics and was replaced by Bruce Guthro. Wishart left in 2001, also to pursue a career in politics, and was replaced by Brian Hurren. The band released fourteen studio albums, with a number of their songs sung in Scottish Gaelic. At the height of their success during the 1980s and 1990s, Runrig were described by Billboard as one of the "most celebrated" Gaelic language bands in Scotland.[1]

Initially formed as a three-piece dance band known as 'The Run Rig Dance Band', the band played several low key events, and has previously cited a ceilidh at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow as their first concert.[2] Runrig's music is often described as a blend of folk and rock music, with the band's lyrics often focusing upon locations, history, politics, and people that are unique to Scotland. Songs also make references to agriculture, land conservation and religion.[3] Their 1995 single "An Ubhal as Àirde (The Highest Apple)" made history by becoming the first song to be sung in Scottish Gaelic to chart on the UK Singles Charts.[4] In 2007, they re–released their 1983 debut single "Loch Lomond" with the Tartan Army, entitled "Loch Lomond (Hampden Remix)". It debuted at number one in their native Scotland, remaining on the top spot for four weeks,[5] and in the United Kingdom, debuted at number nine on the UK Singles Charts and earned a Silver certification from the BPI.[6][7]

Since 1999, the band has gained attention in Canada, following Nova Scotian singer Bruce Guthro's entry to the band. In 2016, the band announced that it would retire from studio recording after the release of their fourteenth studio album, The Story (2016)[8] and announced their final tour The Final Mile in 2017. In August 2018, Runrig performed the final shows of their farewell tour, entitled The Last Dance, in Stirling City Park beneath the castle ramparts.[9] An estimated 52,000 fans attended The Last Dance.[10] Bruce Guthro died on 5 September 2023 from cancer.[11]

  1. ^ "Billboard - May 6, 1995". Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 6 May 1995. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  2. ^ "#tbt 43 years ago today we played our first "concert", a ceilidh in the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow! Time flies". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Runrig – Artist Profile". eventseeker.com. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  4. ^ "RUNRIG – The Story (Ridge RR078)". Folking.com. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 18/11/2007". Official Charts. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  6. ^ "RUNRIG". Official Charts. 8 January 1983. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  7. ^ "BRIT Certified". BPI. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  8. ^ RICK FULTON (29 January 2016). "Runrig release their final album but insist it's not the end of The Story". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  9. ^ "Runrig – The Last Dance". 26 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  10. ^ "The Last Dance: thousands say farewell to Runrig". 20 August 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Cape Breton singer-songwriter Bruce Guthro dies at 62". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 7 September 2023.