Alan Rankine Of The Associates Died At The Age Of 64.

Alan Rankine, the co-founder of the Scottish pop band The Associates, died on Monday at the age of 64.

The BBC and The Guardian broke the story after a Facebook post by the multi-two instrumentalist’s sons went viral on the social network. “Callum and Hamish’s message says it all,” Rankine’s ex-wife Belinda Henderson (nee Pearse) wrote in a message to share the sad news. “‘It is with deep sadness that my brother, Hamish, and I announce the death of our father, Alan Rankine. He died peacefully at home, just a few days after celebrating Christmas with his family. He was a lovely, kind, and loving man who will be greatly missed. Rankine, Callum, and Hamish.”

The Associates, founded in 1979 by Rankine and singer Billy McKenzie, rose to prominence in their native Scotland thanks to their unauthorised cover of David Bowie’s “Boys Keep Swinging.” After being signed to Fiction Records as a result of their rendition, the duo released their debut studio album The Affectionate Punch in 1980 and became pivotal figures in Britain’s New Pop movement. The following year, a compilation titled Fourth Drawer Down was released, and the band eventually released three more albums: 1982’s Sulk, 1985’s Perhaps, and 1990’s Wild and Lonely — though Rankine left the band on the verge of touring around the final album.

Though none of The Associates’ albums charted on the Billboard charts, Fourth Drawer Down peaked at No. 5 on the UK Independent Albums Chart and Sulk peaked at No. 23 on the UK Official Albums Chart due to the popularity of its singles “Party Fears Two” and “Club Country.”

Rankine later worked as a producer for artists such as Cocteau Twins, Paul Haig, and The Pale Fountains. In addition, he released three solo albums: The World Begins to Look Her Age in 1986, She Loves Me Not in 1987, and The Big Picture Sucks in 1989.

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