Deacon Blue's Lorraine McIntosh, from Glasgow's slums to pop stardom

Deacon Blue: Forty Years of Harmony On and Off Stage for Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh

Scottish pop icons Deacon Blue, fronted by the enduring duo of Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh, are commemorating four decades since their inception with the release of their latest album, The Great Western Road, and an accompanying tour. Co-vocalist Lorraine McIntosh, wife of Ross, expressed enthusiasm for the band’s current endeavors, celebrating their legacy of hits such as “Real Gone Kid,” “Wages Day,” and “Fergus Sings The Blues.” Their new single, “Late ’88,” encapsulates the exhilarating beginnings of the band, recalling the vibrant “energy, positivity, and sheer thrill” of their formative years, as McIntosh shared from their Glasgow residence. Deacon Blue reminisces about performing for intimate crowds in modest venues and the life-altering moment of their first record contract.

Celebrating Four Decades of Deacon Blue

“Sometimes it feels like forty years,” Lorraine McIntosh remarked with a sparkle in her eyes, acknowledging Deacon Blue’s milestone anniversary. “But everything’s very good. Our new album is out, our tour is about to commence…” The Great Western Road album is a tribute to the era when the soulful Scottish pop band dominated the charts with iconic songs. “Late ’88,” their recent single, offers an invigorating slice of heartfelt nostalgia, capturing the excitement of their early period. “The energy, the positivity, the sheer thrill of it all,” Lorraine enthused from her Glasgow home, shared with Ricky, her husband of 35 years. She recalled, “Like most bands we were playing to tiny audiences in venues with no dressing rooms. It felt fortunate to secure a record deal. Life changed; it was an incredible experience.”

Lorraine McIntosh: Beyond the Stage and Screen

Audiences familiar with Lorraine McIntosh from her roles in gritty crime dramas like Shetland and Taggart might be surprised by her infectious laughter and dynamic stage presence. To manage the physical demands of their energetic two-hour performances, McIntosh revealed their tour requirements now include a kilogram of Epsom Salts for muscle recovery. Deacon Blue’s current theatre tour is completely sold out, and their larger arena tour is scheduled to begin in September.

“Dignity” and Musical Beginnings

Lorraine McIntosh considers “Late ’88” to be among their finest songs, alongside “Dignity,” their 1987 debut single. “Dignity,” is a timeless anthem of aspiration, depicting a council road sweeper’s dream of escaping his job by saving to buy a dinghy and sail away. It also serves as Dundee United’s unofficial anthem. For McIntosh, music was her metaphorical ‘dinghy’. Born in Glasgow’s East End, she relocated to Cumnock, Ayrshire, at age three when her father, a shipyard engineer, took a position at Killoch Colliery. Tragically, her mother Sarah, a factory worker originally from County Donegal, passed away from leukaemia at 46 when Lorraine was just eleven. “Losing your mother during childhood is incredibly difficult,” she shared. Adding to the hardship, her father was overwhelmed by grief. As an ambassador for Glasgow’s Simon Community, Lorraine has recounted the challenging period after her father lost his job, leading to eviction shortly after her 18th birthday, and the heartbreaking loss of her belongings, including her mother’s keepsakes.

The Formation of Deacon Blue

Upon returning to Glasgow, Lorraine McIntosh shared accommodation with musicians, including Ewen Vernal, who later became Deacon Blue’s bassist. Ricky Ross, originally from Dundee, secured a publishing agreement based on his early demo tapes. Keyboardist Jim Prime, formerly of Altered Images, heard these tapes and sought him out. With the addition of Graeme Kelling on guitar and drummer Douglas Vipond, now a familiar television personality, Deacon Blue was formed.

Early Success and Touring

Lorraine McIntosh’s early musical experiences included singing harmonies with her father at family gatherings in Scotland and northwest Ireland. Transitioning to stage performances and contributing to band demos felt like a natural progression. Initially hesitant to tour England, she chose a holiday in Greece instead. Upon her return, she was invited to join the band in London to record their CBS debut album, 1987’s Raintown, at AIR Studios. Raintown achieved platinum status, and their second album, 1989’s double-platinum release When The World Knows Your Name, topped the charts. Deacon Blue achieved 17 hit singles, including a Top 3 cover of The Carpenters’ “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” in 1991.

Touring Antics and Fan Encounters

Deacon Blue’s tours were less extravagant than some legendary bands, but Lorraine McIntosh shared an amusing anecdote from a 1989 tour in Germany. Ewan Vernal, in a moment of mischief, discharged a fire extinguisher at Graeme Kelling in a hotel prank which led to a hospital visit. Reflecting on fan interactions, McIntosh mentioned a few peculiar incidents, including a stalker and an unusual fan gift. However, she emphasized that “Most are lovely, some we’ve known for 30 years.” Among their admirers was Stefan Dennis, known from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, who contacted them during their 1989 Australian tour with an idea for a musical inspired by their song “Dignity”.

American Adventures and Vocal Setbacks

While Deacon Blue did not achieve mainstream success in America, they performed in key US cities. “It was the best fun ever,” Lorraine recalled of their US tours. She reminisced about playing at The Bottom Line in New York, a small club where they encountered Rod Stewart and Bruce Springsteen’s manager. However, during a Boston performance, Lorraine experienced vocal issues and was diagnosed with throat nodules, leading to the cancellation of their US tour. Upon returning to Glasgow, a specialist provided a different diagnosis, revealing the initial diagnosis was incorrect and the tour cancellation had been unnecessary.

Marriage, Family, and Recognition

Lorraine McIntosh married Ricky Ross in May 1990. They have a blended family with three daughters, including Ricky’s daughter from his first marriage, and a son born in 2000. Lorraine is now a “besotted step-grandmother.” Recently awarded an honorary doctorate by Abertay University, McIntosh’s early musical influences included Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne, introduced by her brothers. While she also enjoyed Blondie and the Eurythmics, she humorously admitted that her first single purchase was “Cavatina” by The Shadows, along with an ABBA single. Observing her children’s diverse musical tastes, she noted, “My youngest is 24, my kids are obsessed with music but what they listen to is much broader.”

Transition to Acting and Television Roles

Following Deacon Blue’s initial split in 1994, the Rosses spent a summer in Los Angeles where Ricky recorded a solo album. A chance encounter with screenwriter Paul Laverty, who was working with director Ken Loach, led to an unexpected career shift for Lorraine. Laverty suggested she consider acting. Six months later, she auditioned for Ken Loach and was cast in his 1998 film My Name is Joe. This critically acclaimed film earned Peter Mullan the Best Actor award at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. Lorraine McIntosh went on to perform in Scottish National Theatre productions, including Beautiful Burnout and Let The Right One In, as well as a stage adaptation of Beowulf and the Scottish sitcom Still Game.

Balancing Acting and Music

Lorraine’s extensive television work includes playing an alcoholic character in the Scottish soap opera River City and most recently, the BBC1 crime drama Shetland alongside Ashley Jensen, Alison O’Donnell, and Phyllis Logan. She shared a lighthearted anecdote from the set of Shetland, involving a pub visit with Phyllis Logan. Despite their successful collaborations, Lorraine emphasizes the importance of individual pursuits. “Otherwise you’d go a bit mad; Ricky writes” and “does radio shows and I act, so it’s really special when we come back and do these Deacon Blue shows.” She playfully suggests this separation provides Ricky respite from her impatience and her time off from his meticulousness.

Reformation and Enduring Friendship

Deacon Blue reunited in 1999 but faced the loss of Graeme Kelling in 2004 and the departure of Ewan Vernal. Gregor Philp and Lewis Gordon joined as replacements. “Our two new guys,” she joked, despite their 17-year tenure with the band. Lorraine McIntosh finds relaxation in socializing, walking, cold water swimming, theatre outings, and quality television. “Almost every night in our house is rounded off with an episode of Seinfeld. We’ve watched it start to finish at least four times. We’re also obsessed with This Country and Daisy May Cooper.”

Looking Ahead

The members of Deacon Blue remain close and dedicated to delivering outstanding performances. Lorraine expressed her pride in their new album, The Great Western Road. “Fans want to hear the songs you remember but for a band to stay alive you have to write new music. If you don’t, you wither up and die. We’d become a tribute band to ourselves. It’s nostalgic but also joyful. It’s looking back on youth and all the things you’ll never experience again and saying, ‘Celebrate them, but know that there’s still brilliant things to come’.”

*Deacon Blue’s new album The Great Western Road is available now, and the band is touring extensively throughout the year.