Public Memorial Service

St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London. Sat January 20, 2001.

Cover The public memorial service for Kirsty took place in a packed St Martin in the Fields in central London. Stars from the music world such as collaborators Johnny Marr, Spider Stacey and Billy Bragg, along with other friends Jools Holland, Holly Johnson, Phil Jupitus, Bono and The Edge sat amongst fans, friends and family. Some fans had travelled to London from as far away as New York, Philadelphia, Germany and Slovenia just to be there, as well as the length and breath of the United Kingdom. Opening to music from J.S. Bach, The Rev Nicholas Holtam said although Kirsty's death had been deeply shocking there was much to celebrate about her life. "Many of her songs touched the big questions of life," he told the congregation.

Billy Bragg sang his own A New England, slowed down and poignant, the contrast with the more familiar treatment of Kirsty or Bragg himself turning her biggest solo hit into a lament. That song will certainly never sound the same again. Billy later said that it had been a very tough year for all those who loved witty songwriters, with the death of Ian Dury at the start of the year. Kirsty had of course sung in a tribute concert for Ian. Of her efforts in the campaign to have the US sanctions against Cuba lifted and Bragg said this was typical of her spirit. "I considered her not just a friend but also a comrade. While others just sing about issues Kirsty always got involved," he said.

Jean There followed a series of tribute speeches from John Dalby, comedian and video director Phil Jupitus and showing great strength, Kirsty's mother Jean. Jupitus achieved the impossible and made people laugh with his off the cuff remembrances, which revealed sides of Kirsty many would not have known. Jean told the congregation that she had lost her best friend as well as her daughter but added: "Kirsty is still with us, she is still touching the hearts of all the people she loved."

The church then filled to the familiar sounds of Kirsty's voice with Us Amazonians from her final album before long time collaborator Pete Glenister read a brief section from Matthew Chapter 5, verses 1 to 10. He acknowledged that Kirsty would not have wanted a bible reading but said that for once he wasn't going to do what she wanted, because some people might find it helpful. The hymn Jerusalem by William Blake followed, before her partner James Knight addressed the congregation with his memories and another stalwart Dave Ruffy read the poem Remember me by Christina Rossetti.

The service ended with her band, augmented by Boz Boorer, Mark Cox and Spider Stacey and featuring family friend Holly Johnson, who sang her perennial crowd pleaser Don't Come The Cowboy With Me, Sonny Jim! with great humility, inviting everyone to join him on the choruses. Having filled the only place on stage which could never be filled, and with such grace, he deserved the greatest respect. Then, after the applause died down, everyone drifted out into the cold streets of London, lost in their memories.

Alan, Freeworld

Stars pay tribute to Kirsty MacColl

A month after her death, stars of stage, screen and music industry rubbed shoulders with family and fans of Kirsty MacColl at a poignant celebration of her life. Croydon Advertiser reporter and Kirsty MacColl fan James Wickham was there.

Bragg "This is one weird gig," commented Billy Bragg as he stood guitar-in-hand between the pulpit and a giant photograph of his late friend Kirsty MacColl. Like many of his lyrics, the spoken thought was down-to-earth and perceptive. Weird it was. Under how many circumstances could you bring together rock megastar Bono, comedian Phill Jupitus and Eastenders' Dot Cotton, in a church on a Saturday morning? But the presence of many famous names from the entertainment business was testament to Kirsty's ability to make friends in an industry famed for its shallowness.

During a 20 year career, tragically cut short at the age of 41 by a freak boating accident in Mexico last month, the Croydon-born songwriter was more often than not out of the limelight. But her wit and talent earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues, fans and eventually critics. This was evident at a packed church on Saturday - where flashing fairy lights were wrapped round the stone columns - a glimpse of the singer's celebrated "joie de vivre" which lightened the sombre atmosphere. As a small crowd gathered outside, much of the talk focused on which of the many stars who have worked with Kirsty might arrive to pay their respects.

The waiting crowd was for a while entertained by a worse-for-the-ale flag-waving Scotsman who had stumbled upon the ceremony. Larking about on the snow-dusted church steps, he brought to mind the character portrayed by Shane MacGowan alongside Kirsty on the now-classic Christmas single Fairytale of New York. It was a somewhat fitting if bizarre reminder of the singer's most famous recording. Celebrity spotters were not disappointed when familiar faces such as DJ Janice Long, musicians Billy Bragg and Jools Holland, and TV comic Phill Jupitus arrived.

Bono Bono, the lead singer of U2, was known to be a fan but his arrival was a huge surprise for many. Whispers swept through the church as he walked up the aisle and his was the prize snap for a scrum of photographers who had got word of his attendance. But, once inside, even the world's greatest rock stars became part of the congregation - Bono taking a pew alongside Kirsty's close friends, including her former husband and former U2 producer Steve Lillywhite.

The service was opened by Rev Nicholas Holtham who said that Kirsty's songs often "touched on the big questions of life". He added: "Hers was a truly shocking death and yet there is so much about her life to be celebrated." He was followed by Billy Bragg's haunting solo rendition of A New England, the song he wrote which gave Kirsty her first top ten hit in 1985.

The singer's devotion to her family and friends were recalled by a series of speakers, including Kirsty's mother Jean Newlove, who brought up her daughter in Beech Way, Selsdon in the 1960s and 70s. She fought back tears as she said: "I didn't realise just how many friends she had. There is no farewell, no goodbye. Kirsty is still with us touching hearts of people she loved. I have lost my best friend as well as my daughter but her friends will remain our friends because we shared what we had with Kirsty and that was very special."

Lightening the mood as his friend would have wished but clearly choked with emotion, funnyman and erstwhile pop video director Phill Jupitus recalled his friendship with the singer and her wicked sense of humour. He added: "I count myself extremely fortunate that there are parts of my life that are imbued by Kirsty." Kirsty's partner, the saxophonist James Knight, recalled: "She was loved completely by her children and me. She deserved to be happy for the rest of her life and I am sure she would have been."

After the singing of William Blake's hymn Jerusalem, the church echoed to the sound of Kirsty's distinctive voice as a recording of Us Amazonians was played. The song, an uplifting Latin American-style anthem to womanhood and enthusiasm for life, was taken from her last album Tropical Brainstorm. It captured the singers' vitality and the happiness she had found with her children, her partner and her love of Cuban music.

Holly Friend and former Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Holly Johnson joined members of Kirsty's band, including James Knight, for a rendition of one of her songs Don't Come the Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim. Members of the audience were encouraged to sing along with the chorus.

Far from being just a writer of witty and melodic songs, Kirsty was a supporter of a number of political and charitable causes - notably supporting the people of Cuba affected by US blockades. Just hours before the inauguration of president George W Bush, reference was made to the singer's support for Cuban freedom and an appeal was made in her memory for donations to the Cuba Music Fund.

As the service finished celebrities mingled with family members and fans before making their way out past the waiting army of cameramen. The level of media interest was far in excess of any attention paid to Kirsty MacColl during her lifetime, a fact not lost on song-writing colleague Pete Glenister, whosaid: "I am sure she is having a chuckle at the irony of this splurge of eulogy and recognition."

Order of Service

Music before the Service - J. S. Bach

WELCOME
REVD. NICHOLAS HOLTAM
Vicar, St. Martin-in-the-Fields

SONG
BILLY BRAGG
A New England, written by Billy Bragg

TRIBUTES
JOHN DALBY
PHIL JUPITUS
JEAN MACCOLL, Kirsty's Mother

SONG
Us Amazonians, written by Kirsty MacColl and Pete Glenister
(Kirsty's recording played over the speakers)

READING
PETE GLENISTER
Matthew Chapter 5 verses 1-12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

HYMN
AND did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! 0 clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

William Blake 1757-1827

ADDRESS
JAMES KNIGHT, Kirsty 's Partner

POEM
Remember by Christina Rossetti 1830-94
Read by DAVE RUFFY

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned;
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve;
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that I once had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

SONG
Don 't come the Cowboy with me sonny Jim
Written by Kirsty MacColl

Performed by
HOLLY JOHNSON - VOCALS
PETE GLENISTER - GUITAR
DAVE RUFFY - PERCUSSION
JAMES KNIGHT - SAXOPHONE
JOE DE JESUS - TROMBONE
BEN STOREY - TRUMPET
MICHELLE DREES - GUITAR
BOZ BOORER - GUITAR
MARK COX - GUITAR
CHUCHO MERCHAN - BASS
SPIDER STACEY - WHISTLE

Organist: PAUL STUBBINGS

Style [ Standard ] [ Cool Blue ] [ Tropical ]

Public Memorial Service

St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London. Sat January 20, 2001.

Stars pay tribute to Kirsty MacColl

Order of Service

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