Song
Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year
Artist
Quireboys
Quireboys backstory
Now there’s a backstory…
And its ending could hardly be described as happy.
But here goes.
Once upon a time there was a barnstorming British rock and roll band called The Quireboys.
Founded by Geordie singer Spike and buddy Guy Bailey in the late 80s, they were hailed as the UK’s answer to Guns N Roses.
Managed by Sharon Osbourne, boasting a top two UK album and loved by fans and the media alike, their future looked set fair.
Then the music landscape changed, the band parted on good terms and it wasn’t until 2001 that Spike and Guy Griffin put together a new line-up.
A remarkable run of critically acclaimed studio albums followed — featuring some of the band’s best work to date.
Spike, Griff, Paul Guerin and Keith Weir built a rock solid reputation as party starters par excellence, playing to packed houses across the globe.
But it seems you really can have too much of a good thing.
And towards the end of 2021 the cracks had begun to appear.
Fast forward a year and those cracks remain wide open with two bands claiming the Quireboys name and two new albums on the way.
Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year arrives courtesy of Spike’s retro-fuelled line-up featuring Bailey, Nigel Mogg, Chris Johnston and Rudy Richman.
Griffin’s gang released new tune Lie To Me last week.
Twice as much Quireboys. Twice as much fun.
In Spike’s own words
“I wanted to make a classic Christmas record that captures the mood of the season.
“And I wanted to use the release to raise money Care After Combat.
“My family — like many others — is proud of its history with the armed forces.
“The single artwork features relatives of mine who served their country.
“But these remarkable people and their families need ongoing support and that’s where Care After Combat comes in.
“The song features the Tyneside Scottish pipe band and a kids’ choir.
“It’s a feelgood single and the video’s full-on festive.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve done and why we’ve done it.
“This is the first mew music from the original Quireboys in decades.
“It really does usher in what’s going to be a Happy New Year for our fans!”
The verdict on Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year
As festive ditties go, this back-to-basics banger does what it says on the tin.
There’s talk of raising glasses, singing Auld Lang Syne and church bells.
The video’s jam-packed with Christmas jumpers, stockings, a roaring fire…
…and Spike striding through rural Northumberland in a pair of wellies!
It’s the seasonal gift that just keeps on giving.
This time of year’s nostalgic enough.
But hearing Spike back in the groove with Bailey, Johnstone and Richman evokes joyous memories of raucous rock and roll parties of the past.
Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year ensures a difficult 2022 ends on a high.
And Spike proves he’s absolutely soaked in heart-warming festive spirit.
What’s next for Quireboys
The old gang’s back together in London this week as Spike joins Mogg et al for a one-off ‘reunion’ show at Islington’s O2 Academy.
The band heads to the studio early next year to record a new album with Jim Cregan.
And Spike’s back on the road with Christian Heilmann in February as his popular acoustic shows return.
