Latest news with #Ure
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
I was a has-been at 23 says Scots singer behind one of 1980s top tunes
But it all begs the question; at 71 Ure is still young compared to Jagger and Elton and Rod. But what drives the musician to drive around California? 'Well, it's not that I have a proper job,' he says, grinning. Read more Ure did attempt a 'proper job' once upon a time, working as an engineering apprenticeship in East Kilbride. But music was too big a pull. Indeed, the teenage James Ure had 'Clapton is god' stencilled on the back of his dust jacket. 'Yet, the chances of strapping a guitar to your back and developing a career in music were extremely remote,' he recalls. 'The music industry was London or Liverpool centric. Meanwhile, my dad [a van driver] wanted something better for my older brother and I. [Than a bottom flat in a close]. He was being sensible.' Midge Ure took the less sensible route. He joined a band, Salvation, which renamed as Slik, had a No I hit with Forever and Ever, managed by songwriters Bill Martin and Phil Coulter. Ure's experience with the acerbic, egotistical Clydebank-born Martin proved to be a life lesson. Martin once delivered the put-down; 'Midge was good, but not as good as he thought he was.' Bill Martin also decreed that Slik perform his songs. And wouldn't let young Midge play on the record. 'When we talk about Bill Martin, it makes me realise that everything I've done since Slik has been a backlash to Slik,' he reveals. 'I felt I had my 15 minutes [of pop fame] and never got a chance to prove myself. And at 23, I was a has-been. So, I've constantly been trying not to be the pop star, but instead the guy who is interested in record production and new technology - which takes you into weird and wonderful places.' Midge Ure has described his life as running up a down escalator. 1977, he ran towards punk with the Rich Kids, then formed electronic outfit Visage and enjoyed success with two albums and the hit single, Fade to Grey. Yet meantime, he became the frontman with Ultravox. 'When we first went into a studio and plugged in it was the most exciting thing I'd ever done in my life. We had nothing in our pockets. We had no future. But the music we played was phenomenal.' However, the cool Ure head measured expectations. 'We went to America in 1979 to try and get a record deal and one guy interviewed us and complimented us on how well we spoke English. Looking back, I think he thought we were Kraftwerk. What chance had we got?' Read more Pop chart success didn't matter, yet the anthemic single Vienna did chart, reaching No 2. Was the cool head turned a little? 'Oh god, yeah, it's a heady drug fame, isn't it? At one point you are 'Wee Jim,' and then you're 'Midge.' And suddenly you find yourself attractive to the opposite sex. But equally so, you become the target of someone's next punch because his girlfriend fancied you.' Midge Ure's life altered dramatically. Married to model Annabel Giles with a daughter, the family lived in a eight-bedroom house in Chiswick, the garage full of beautiful cars. He bought a house in Montserrat. And a volcano destroyed it. It was a metaphor for how life can blow up in your face. After Ultravox moved away from each other, Ure carved out a solo career but found himself being hounded by the tax man for half a million. Then his marriage broke apart and he found himself with two homes to support.' But one of the cleverest things he had done when the money was coming in was to build a studio in his back garden. 'It was a massive investment, and everyone thought I was crazy, but I knew that record companies drop the moment your last record fails. So, this meant I could keep going.' Ure developed as a solo artist, with hits such as If I Was. And although he loved being in a band, he was at times reluctant to share his visions. He grins. 'It's a real madness. You end up working four times harder to create something. I once spent 12 years making a new record. It's absolutely crazy.' The musician however was more than happy to the Princes Trust Rock Gala band, playing with the likes of Elton and Eric, the guitar god whose name he had on his back.' But hang on; Midge Ure has always been the band leader. How did that dynamic work out? 'On the one hand it was intimidating - to say the least - and how could I be musical director with guys who had outsold me a gazillion times. 'But there's a leveller, and that's the realisation that all these musicians started out the same way as you, playing covers in little local bands. And even if you've got Phil Collins on drums and Mark Knopfler on guitar they don't assume they're The Big I Am.' He grins. 'As for the musical direction in rehearsals, it became about diplomacy.' Did he have to correct Elton at any time? He laughs. 'It was more like 'Elton, could you stop disappearing in between songs for a cup of tea.'' There was another commonality. Every one of these performers had had to battle with their own demons. Having re-married to actor Sheridan Forbes, the couple had three daughters, but Ure too had developed a serious drink problem. It began as recreational fun, a post gig relaxant, but became a next day necessity, then a spiral downwards into the void. It was only when one of his daughters caught him secretly swigging from the vodka bottle that he gave up. Midge Ure in Ultravox (Image: unknown) Ure acknowledges that the extremes we enjoy/endure in life can sometimes fuel the artist. 'Songs don't come from books,' he maintains. 'They come from life. So, I get up in the morning, go to a computer and twiddle knows, rather than drive a baker's van like my dad. For me, it's all about doing something that's real and honest and totally heartfelt.' His politics has become more focused over the years. 'I'm disgusted with humanity. We all are. I was born Protestant and after being in London for years, I came back, and someone asked me what religion my pals in London were. I said I had no idea - and it never struck me to ask. And it made me think that in growing up in an environment like that you ask yourself 'What in the world is going on?' And you look around and you see all these conflicts going on because of religion.' What's apparent is the performer has always been his own, focused, hard grafting man. 'I didn't want to do DJ remixes, for example. Why hand over your work to person who's only knowledge of music is how to put a needle on it? Of course, the result can be the situation where the record label calls and tell you've been dropped can happen. But there's nothing you can do about it. And I didn't take rejections personally.' What's his biggest regret? Is it getting the tense all wrong in the lyric of If I Was? 'You have to blame my pal Danny Mitchell for that,' he smiles. 'He wrote it.' Has there ever been a time he hasn't enjoyed a performance? 'Yes, when I was invited to the girls' school, to play and talk about Band Aid,' he says with a dry smile. 'Watching my kids slide down through the floor in sheer embarrassment was hell.' He's still on the escalator then, ready to play in Glasgow? 'It's not for the money. That's a scarce thing, but it's for the love of it. And if you know how to do it . . .' He laughs. 'And yes, the steps are still there, although like me they move a little slower.' Midge Ure plays Big Nights Out, the Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow, on June 6.
The Herald Scotland
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Council warned of law breach over failure to help toddler
She says she had already been forced out of the flat for over a week after he was found vomiting in his sleep and in danger of choking as a result of the damp and mould-ridden conditions in the flat at the end of January. Now she says she was forced out again to stay are her mother's after her son was again vomiting in his sleep. And a damning expert study has now condemned the council's failure to act to remove the mother and child accusing it of "unacceptable and unethical blaming of tenants" and warning that it face legal issues by not acting. It said: "The continued blaming of the tenants, rather than addressing the fundamental property defects and severe Indoor Air Quality issues, is unacceptable [and] unethical" while breaching the law on Scottish housing standards. The mother has told South Lanarkshire Council that she feared that her son, who needed urgent medical treatment, would suffer the same fate as Awaab Ishak the two-year-old who died over four years ago as a result of damp and mould in his home, which was managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH). Evidence provided to South Lanarkshire Council in the expert report (Image: NQ) Ms Ure's case has been credited with helping to force the Scottish Government to propose the introduction of new rules over housing standards which is being dubbed by some as Leighton's Law after her son. READ MORE: But the 28-year-old mother who has had the written support of her doctor for a move out of the flat saying that the toddler has "frequent attendances with respiratory tract infections" was told that the council that he is not a health priority for a move. But Ms Ure, who moved into the flat while pregnant three years ago says conditions are exacerbating her own asthma, and is upset that desperate appeals have fallen on deaf ears. Now a new expert study of conditions at the flat carried out at the end of April by Berwick-upon-Tweed-based indoor environmental group Healthy Homes and Beyond has warned that the council that the flat remains "unfit for human habitation" and that the family should be moved out. The study, supported by a mould and air quality analysis by Sporcyte and carried out by the group's director and founder Kristine Reilly-Blake makes what it described as an "urgent and immediate recommendation " stating: "South Lanarkshire Council must immediately remove the Ure family and place them in safe, accommodation. "The property is currently unfit for human habitation and poses an imminent and unacceptable risk to their health and well-being. " Evidence provided to South Lanarkshire Council in the expert report (Image: NQ) Ms Reilly-Blake, who began investigations as an independent damp and mould surveyor in the north east of England and Scotland after her eldest daughter had such a severe exacerbation of asthma it left her fighting for her life, added: "Continued exposure to these conditions is likely to result in further deterioration of Michelle's health and poses a significant and potentially irreversible risk of long-term respiratory damage to Leighton. Your failure to act decisively in light of this medical evidence would be a grave dereliction of your duty of care. "The cumulative and irrefutable evidence from my investigations, coupled with the documented medical evidence linking Leighton's illness directly to the property conditions, demonstrates a severe, ongoing, and deteriorating dampness and mould problem stemming from fundamental structural deficiencies and inadequate ventilation. "These conditions, which I have thoroughly documented, present a substantial, immediate, and unacceptable risk to the health and well-being of the occupants, particularly the young child, Leighton, and Michelle..." The study said that in addition to the "direct and acute health and safety concerns substantiated by Leighton's medical records" the conditions also raised "significant and actionable legal and regulatory issues". It says their examination shows "strongly and unequivocally" that the flat fails to meet the 'tolerable standard' test under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 in order to be fit for human habitation and requires that houses are free from dampness that is prejudicial to health. "This failure is particularly egregious given the documented and severe impact on Michelle's asthma and the direct link between the property conditions and Leighton's documented medical issues," the study said. Evidence provided to South Lanarkshire Council in the expert report (Image: NQ) It said the council should carry out a comprehensive indoor air quality investigation and remediation plan, carry out urgent comprehensive structural repairs and carry out professional and comprehensive mould remediation. And it states that there should be "accurate, transparent and ethical communication, adding that the council should "cease blaming of the tenants". The mother received an email from a council investigator at the end of January insisting there were no problems with the flat. South Lanarkshire Council had said it has been working hard to carry out alleviate any dampness issues and say the property has been "confirmed to be habitable". The mother denies this. The report has come as South Lanarkshire HomeFinder, a housing allocation system, run by South Lanarkshire Council told Ms Ure she could not be rehoused as a health priority adding that there was "insufficient need shown to demonstrate that your current home is medically unsuitable" and that issues over damp and mould would have to be address by a repairs team. Scottish Labour's housing spokesman Mark Griffin, who has been taking the case up with the council is sue to meet the mother and child today [Wednesday]. Sean Clerkin, campaign co-ordinator of the Scottish Tenants Organisation who has been supporting Ms Ure and has urged the council to act on the report. He told Stephen Gibson, the council's executive director of housing in a message: "In all my years of advocating for tenants and their issues this is the one that has affected me more than any other. Evidence provided to South Lanarkshire Council in the expert report (Image: NQ) "The two-year-old Leighton will die in this property due to the silent violence of your department against him and his family. "The boy will succumb and you will be responsible for his death unless you act now and remove this family to a new safe and secure home free from damp and mould. "You have been given fair warning time and again. South Lanarkshire Council are derelict in their duty of care towards this family in that you insist this family live in such intolerable conditions to the detriment of their health." Leighton's Law emerged after the Herald revealed more than 700,000 Scottish homes have been classed as not fit for habitation jn a new housing emergency - with 600,000 more properties registered as below a legal tolerable standard since the pandemic. Campaigners say that initial proposals are 'flawed' as they focus only on the social rented sector which comprises properties owned by councils and housing associations such as Wheatley. Official surveys carried out for the Scottish Government show that in 2023, the number of Scots properties falling below the 'tolerable standard' in order to be fit for habitation has shot up from an estimated 54,000 (2%) in 2018 to 729,000 (27%) in 2023. It is classed as a "condemnatory" standard which means that it is not reasonable to expect people to continue to live in a house that falls below it. Campaigners including the Scottish Tenants' Organisation and Living Rent have described the issue over housing standards and damp and mould in Scotland as a "public health crisis". A council spokesman said: 'This house has now been visited on numerous occasions by our own staff and by independent contractors, including a range of professionals who are highly qualified in property matters and environmental health. At no time has any of these experts found the property to be anything other than habitable. 'We have undertaken a range of actions to investigate the issues reported by Ms Ure, including dampness surveys carried out by a specialist contractor that identified no major issues. 'While some actions have been taken, including the fitting of thermal insulation to external walls and the upgrading of fans in the bathroom and kitchen, Ms Ure has refused to allow us to install a new ventilation system that would further improve air quality. 'Ms Ure has also been repeatedly provided with advice on how to prevent condensation and dampness in the home. 'While Ms Ure's request for a housing transfer has been based in part on the suggestion that her son's health is being impacted by conditions in the flat, we have been presented with no evidence that this is the case. There appears to be no such evidence in the reports commissioned by Ms Ure either. 'However, a further inspection of the property has been arranged that will take place in the next few days.'
The National
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Watch: Ex-Rangers man scores second in two games after unorthodox move
The 21-year-old made the rather unorthodox switch to the Swedish club in March, departing RSC Anderlecht in Belgium. Ure spent over a decade with Rangers. He played three times for the senior side, his only goal coming in a 3-1 League Cup victory over Queen of the South. Read more: He has impressed in his brief stint at Sirius so far, contributing to five goals in his nine appearances. Ure finished clinically into the bottom-left corner to draw his side level away at Hammarby last night in a match they eventually lost by three goals to two. Sirius kvitterar! Robbie Ure slår till när Hammarby slarvar i uppbyggnadsspelet 🔵⚫ 📲 Se matchen på Max — Sports on Max 🇸🇪 (@sportsonmaxse) May 14, 2025 The striker departed Rangers for Anderlecht on a free transfer in 2023 before his switch to Sweden. Elsewhere, Davide Ancelotti is reportedly set to join his father Carlo with the Brazilian national team. The 35-year-old has been widely linked to the permanent Rangers job over the past few days. Davide will join his old man in South America for World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June, claims The Athletic. It remains to be seen whether Ancelotti Jr will remain as part of the setup after those games, however, as he has 'interest from a number of clubs'.
San Francisco Chronicle
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
He helped create Live Aid 40 years ago. Now he's coming to San Francisco
Midge Ure, the veteran British musician and co-architect of the historic Live Aid concerts, is coming to San Francisco as part of his 'Band in a Box' tour. This stripped-down yet sonically rich performance showcases his decades-long influence on electronic and pop music. The tour kicks off at the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena on May 17, before heading to the Chapel on May 18. Ure promises an intimate yet technologically dynamic show, joined by longtime collaborator Charlie Round Turner. The performance will blend guitars, synthesizers, loops and samples, merging past and present in a way only Ure can. 'I've been on Top of the Pops more times in different guises than anyone,' Ure said, reflecting on his colorful career. He's been a member of the 1970s boy band Slik, the punk act Rich Kids, as well as Visage, and even briefly played with Thin Lizzy. He also auditioned for the Sex Pistols before finding his true musical home with Ultravox. 'As they say, you have to kiss many frogs before you find your prince or princess,' said Ure, 71. 'Most people don't just jump into the first band and become successful. As I was growing up, the bands I was part of were either famous or infamous. I was searching for my musical home, and I found it the day I joined Ultravox.' True to his restless spirit, Ure walked away from Ultravox at the peak of its success. 'If we weren't human, things would go on forever,' he said. 'But we all grow at different rates and pull in different directions. When a band reaches that point, you either walk away and start anew, or you stick with it and pretend you're having a great time.' In addition to his musical legacy, Ure is revisiting his pivotal role in Live Aid. Co-organized with Bob Geldof in 1985, the twin concerts in London and Philadelphia raised millions for Ethiopian famine relief and helped launch the legendary Band Aid single, 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' — sung by an all-star group featuring Bono, George Michael, Duran Duran and numerous others. The initiative inspired the stage musical 'Just for One Day', which will soon head to London's West End. 'Naivety is a wonderful thing,' Ure said, reflecting on the groundbreaking event that marks its 40th anniversary this year. 'It emboldens you. 'Nothing's impossible when you're in your 20s. It enables you to think beyond the realms of possibility. I think if we tried to do it today, it would fall flat on its face.' Despite his rich past, Ure remains focused on the present and future. He's been working on a new album for nearly a decade, but takes his time with it. 'It takes as long as it takes,' he said. 'I don't want to go back 40 years and just rehash what the young Midge did.' 'You follow your path,' he said. 'Sometimes it takes you into something you'd never imagined.'
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic starlet could be next in line for stardom as highly-rated youngster scoops prized club gong
The one blemish in Celtic's golden era has been the lack of academy graduates making the grade at Parkhead James Forrest is the poster Bhoy for every aspiring youngster at Lennoxtown. The one-club legend is now Celtic 's most decorated player after coming through the youth system and shooting to prominence in 2010. Captain Callum McGregor could soon overtake Forrest's ever-growing trophy haul of 26 if he outlasts his fellow homegrown talent at Parkhead. Then there's returning hero Kieran Tierney, who broke into the first-team under Ronny Deila and made the club a record-breaking £25million four years later. Others like Stephen Welsh and Anthony Ralston have made up the numbers in recent years but the truth is, for all of Celtic's astonishing dominance, the one blemish in this golden era has been the lack of academy players emerging from the ranks. Rising stars Rocco Vata, Ben Doak and Daniel Kelly were all given a taste of it before being lured by bigger bucks down south. So there is still a pathway. But nothing satisfies supporters more than one of their own making the breakthrough. Kyle Ure could be the next in the academy conveyor belt to make the grade. The teenage midfielder, 19, has already followed in role model McGregor's footsteps by skippering the Hoops to 2023 Scottish Youth Cup glory at Hampden in 2023. Now, he's flourishing for the B team in the Lowland League and his impressive form saw him crowned Celtic's Young Player of the Year on Sunday night. Humble Ure showed maturity beyond his years as he collected the prestigious gong at the Doubletree By Hilton Glasgow Central. The Scotland Under-19s starlet said: "It's a great feeling obviously to be recognised for my performances and consistency throughout the year. "It's a very pleasing award to get at the end of the season and I'd just like to take a moment to appreciate all my teammates as well. I couldn't have done it without them. "Everybody in the team together makes me look better, and we all look out for each other, so it's an amazing award to get." With six goals across the campaign, Ure will definitely be on Brendan Rodgers' radar, especially after recently extending his contract until June 2027. Now dreaming of teaming up with McGregor, Forrest and KT, Ure admits his ultimate goal is to become the next success story from Lennoxtown. He told Celtic TV: "It would be everything. Growing up, you want to be a proper football player. You want to be a first-team player. Now at this stage, you're not too far away. "You train with them, you see the quality they've got and the intensity that they bring. You just need to try and get to that level and stay consistent for as many years as you can."
