Scottish guitarist Ian Bairnson, 69, passed away recently. He had performed with the Alan Parsons Project and Kate Bush. Leila Bairnson, his wife, wrote on Instagram that he had passed away after a “long struggle with dementia.” She added, “Ian was the nicest, kindest, most loving husband I could ever have longed for, and I take comfort knowing he is resting now up there in his very own piece of ‘Blue Blue Sky.'” While Ian is no longer with us, his music will carry on to provide joy and happiness to future generations.
How did Bairnson’s Career begin?
Bairnson, who was born in Shetland in 1953, started playing guitar at the age of six. Before joining Pilot in 1973, he spent some time as a session musician; his guitar work on the band’s breakthrough single “Magic” is among the most recognisable in rock history. From the Album of the Same Name was released in 1974 and was produced by Alan Parsons, who would subsequently recruit Bairnson for the Alan Parsons Project.
Kate Bush’s first four albums, released between 1978 and 1982, include Bairnson. These albums are The Kick Within and Lionheart, Never For Ever, and The Dreaming. The last guitar solo in “Wuthering Heights” was played by him. He has performed with Eric Clapton, Sting, and others and appeared on records by Joe Cocker, Mick Fleetwood, and Jon Anderson of Yes.
Tributes given to him
Parsons sent a social media homage to his longtime partner and friend. “Ian has always been a musical genius in my eyes,” Parsons said of his friend on Facebook. It was a delight to have him contribute to all of the Alan Parsons Project albums and numerous subsequent albums I’ve released under my name. Over his tremendous career, he has also collaborated with various other gifted musicians.
Parsons further called him a “real master of the guitar” who “understood every imaginable playable guitar chord and how to explain it.” Incredibly, he never invested in learning standard musical notation. His ability to pick up the saxophone and play it like a pro on stage with the British iteration of the Alan Parsons Live Project after only a few weeks of practice proves his extraordinary talent.
He then encouraged everyone reading this to listen to “The Very Last Time” by The Time Machine. Ian composed this lovely song in memory of a loved one who had passed away. Beverly Craven, who Ian performed with frequently, sang it. To all those who, like me, loved him deeply, it now feels very fitting as a musical epitaph. Ian’s absence will be keenly felt, but he won’t be soon forgotten.
Top hits by Ian Bairnson
Ian Bairnson is a Scottish guitarist, keyboardist, and singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the Alan Parsons Project. He has also worked with other prominent musicians, such as Kate Bush, Sting, and Phil Collins.
One of the most significant contributions that Bairnson made to music was his work on the Alan Parsons Project’s top hits. As the lead guitarist for the group, Bairnson played a pivotal role in crafting the sound of many of the band’s most famous songs.
Some of the Alan Parsons Project’s top hits that feature Bairnson’s guitar work include “Eye in the Sky,” “Games People Play,” “Time,” and “Don’t Let it Show.” In each of these songs, Bairnson’s guitar playing adds a layer of complexity and emotion that helps to make the tracks stand out.
Bairnson’s contributions to these songs helped to establish the Alan Parsons Project as one of the most innovative and influential groups of the 1970s and 1980s. His work on these tracks has also continued to inspire musicians and music lovers alike, making him a beloved figure in the world of rock and pop music.
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