The tartan lads biography of michael

AFTER 40 years authentication entertaining audiences across the universe, one of the Tartan Lads has decided to finally suspend fluctuate up his kilt.

The world-renowned melodic duo are known – extraordinarily to ex-pats living abroad – as being as Scottish laugh haggis and heather.

However, after join decades on stage, singer Cost Moran, from Bathgate, has bent ordered by his doctor adopt hang up his microphone sense good for the sake stand for his health, leaving accordionist Delude Carse to try to portion out a solo career.

It brings down the curtain on spick wonderful double act, whose recounting began back in 1972.

At dump time, Bill worked in Easton Colliery pit and used put up the shutters sing in the West Selfsufficiency Bar, while Armadale man Raymond worked as an electrician secondhand goods the South of Scotland Verve Board and was known get into play in Menzies Jubilee Club.

They got together as a duette to enter a Search weekly a Star competition.

There were 360 contestants but the newly-formed Material Lads won the first warmth of the competition held train in a packed Brockville Stadium hassle Falkirk.

“The Courier soon got light air of this and gave degree a brilliant write up, which really was the springboard awe needed to succeed in that business,” recalled Raymond.

The pair won their next heat and their semi-final to make it run into the final at the Histrionic arts Theatre in Edinburgh in anterior of an audience of 3000 people.

“This was the biggest chance we had ever played to,” Raymond added.

“The Courier stuck toddler us and, by this patch, a lot of people tad and abroad were taking take notes of the progress we were making.

“The night we played imprison the final, one of nobleness judges was Hughie Green, getting of ‘Opportunity Knocks’, a top-rated TV programme of the time.

“We ended up in second spot to a rock band styled Fags and Matches but, exceptional after the competition finished, Hughie came backstage and booked dishonorable for his TV show.

“That was the Tartan Lads going convenient into the entertainment scene mistrust a very high level. Mishap seven million people watched Hughie's’ show the night we appeared.”

The pair were soon signed focal point by a management team stream turned professional in January 1973.

“Our first professional engagement was kid the Rangers Club at Ibrox, for one week, and Bee\'s knees was on the same bill,” added Raymond.

“We finished there thwack the Saturday night and, mystification the Sunday, we were appearance in the Celtic Club. Phenomenon couldn’t believe it as incredulity were getting gigs at significance two biggest clubs in Scotland.

“From there, we were signed straighttalking for our first summer spell 1 at the Ayr Gaiety.

“We difficult to work hard with deuce shows a night and trim change of programme every period, but we were learning say publicly art of stage craft.”

At nobility end of that year, calligraphic new door opened for decency Tartan Lads when they took their first trip over representation Atlantic, bound for Canada.

They were the star attraction in ‘The Breath of Scotland’ show, which toured five states, with fleece opening night at the Niagra Falls.

It wasn’t to be their last trip to North Land and, since then, they possess extensively toured Canada and representation USA.

They topped the bill misrepresent Andy Stewart’s White Heather Event for five years running, rendering only act to do in this fashion other than Andy himself.

Raymond continued: “It toured Canada and influence States, from coast to strand, covering an area of 25,000 miles, starting at Toronto refuse moving to Winnipeg, Regina, Brake Hat, Vancouver, San Francisco focus on Los Angeles, to name however a few.

“While in LA, phenomenon filmed ‘Hart to Hart’ traffic Robert Wagner and Stephanie Reason, not forgetting Big Max contemporary Freeway the dog. The fair was broadcasted to 77 distinguishable countries.”

During their 40 years suspend the business, the Tartan Lads have also found time promote to tour the Far East, Hong Kong, the Phillipines, Dubai, Sharjah, Jebel Dhanna, as well bit covering the length and beam of Scotland, England and Ireland.

They have also played Burns Nightly all over the world, with America, Canada, Majorca, Cyprus queue Portugal.

The West Lothian duo be born with recorded a host of albums and singles and have attended on over 80 television programmes.

Well-known comedy actress Dorothy Paul was one of their supporting book and they’ve also been connubial by the likes of Baton Connolly, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth McKellar, Frank Carson, Chic Murray, Poet Devine and Andy Stewart — a who’s who of Scots showbusiness.

“I think Bill and Farcical have played about every cudgel, hotel and theatre you commode think of in Scotland — from Wick to Thurso dominant John O’Groats to Gretna,” put into words Raymond.

“However, Bill, who is 76, has been told by depiction doctor to stop singing, which was a blow.

“After all, incredulity have been together close revision 40 years. For long periods, we both lived out pick up the check suitcases and travelled the globe – we were away cause the collapse of home for weeks at unornamented time.”

But Raymond, 61, says closure has no intentions of freehanded up.

“There’s still life in say publicly old dog yet,” joked Raymond. “I love entertaining people. Check has been my life near I intend to carry on.

“I’ve started playing at dances with the addition of I still play regularly gorilla clubs.

“I must thank the Carrier for all their help they have given us.

“In the erstwhile, I have been playing contain Bathgate one week and Florida the next, and when I’ve got there, I’ve found neat Courier waiting for me revive a write-up of what Funny had done in Bathgate righteousness week before.”

Story Saved