Runrig

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).

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] 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.[2] 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,[3] and in the United Kingdom, debuted at number nine, earning a Silver certification from the BPI.[4][5]

In 2016, the band announced their retirement from recording and performing following the release of The Story, (2016)[6] 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.[7] An estimated 52,000 fans attended The Last Dance.[8]

  1. ^ "Billboard - May 6, 1995". Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 6 May 1995. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  2. ^ "RUNRIG – The Story (Ridge RR078)". Folking.com. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 18/11/2007". Official Charts. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  4. ^ "RUNRIG". Official Charts. 8 January 1983. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  5. ^ "BRIT Certified". BPI. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Runrig – The Last Dance". 26 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  8. ^ "The Last Dance: thousands say farewell to Runrig". 20 August 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.

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