1989-90 The age of the Kite

releasedFebruary 1989
‘Free World’ single released on Virgin.

releasedApril 1989
‘Kite’ album released on Virgin.

releasedJune 1989
‘Days’ single released on Virgin.

Top of the Pops

July 13, 1989. The promo video for ‘Days’ was shown. Presenters? Bruno Brookes and Jakki Graham.

Radio interview with JJJ in Australia

At some point in 1989 Kirsty appeared on Australia’s JJJ station with this interview.

Top of the Pops

Kirsty MacColl - Days TOTP

July 27, 1989. With the continuing success of ‘Days’, Kirsty appeared in person two weeks later. Mark Goodier and Simon Parkin were the presenters this time.

Promo spot with the Kinks

August 15, 1989. According to Kinks piano man (1989-93) Mark Haley, Kirsty sang with the band at the Town & Country in Kentish Town (North London). Mark says, ‘VH1 were filming a documentary all afternoon and Kirsty MacColl who’d just had a Top 20 hit with ‘Days’ was due to sing with the band.’

‘I can’t remember much of the filming, however I remember meeting Kirsty and her husband Steve Lillywhite very clearly. She was extremely nervous during the sound check, literally shaking with stage fright. Once the introduction tape started up, there was no time to be nervous and the roar of recognition as we walked out onto the stage was exhilarating.’

Kirsty did assorted other TV spots to promote Days, including the Terry Wogan show.

Kirsty MacColl - Days - Wogan 1989

READING Festival

August 26, 1989, presumably with the Pogues. To be fair, until the arrival of ‘Kite’ in 1989 she had no significant body of new material, and by then was busy being mother, so ‘Kite’ remained a vinyl only pleasure. The Pogues slots certainly gave Kirsty a lot more confidence in touring, which she would do from 1991 onwards, airing the ‘Kite’ songs alongside their new ‘Electric Landlady ’companions.

releasedSeptember 1989
‘Innocence’ single released on Virgin.

BBC Radio 1, Nicky Campbell Show

November 8, 1989. ‘Don’t come the cowboy with me, Sonny Jim!’, ‘What do pretty girls do?’, ‘Don’t run away from me now’, ‘Still life’.

Pete Thomas (drums), Phil Rambow (ac. guitar), Martin Belmont (el. guitar), Pete Glenister (el. guitar), Bobby Valentino (violin), Gavin Povey (piano), Paul Riley (bass). Later released on ‘What do pretty girls do?’

Top of the Pops

Happy Mondays- Hallelujah- TOTP (HQ)

November 23, 1989. Another TV slot, this time as backing singer with Happy Mondays when they performed ‘Hallelujah’. Jakki Brambles and Jenny Powell presenting.

releasedMarch 1990
‘Don’t Come the Cowboy with Me, Sonny Jim!’ single released on Virgin.

Interview in New York

Kirsty being interviewed by John Giotto in November 1990
Kirsty being interviewed by John Giotto in November 1990

November 2, 1990. Kirsty was interviewed at the Charisma offices by John Giotto, and you can listen to it here.

The photos were taken by Kerry Cort.

releasedNovember 1990
‘Miss Otis Regrets’ single with the Pogues released on Virgin.

DUBLIN Olympia Theatre

December 9, 1990 ? – Unconfirmed but possible since she appeared at the other 3 legs of this mini tour by the Pogues. Then again they were closer to home.

LONDON Camden Electric Ballroom

December 10, 1990

Pogues ticket from December 1990
Pogues ticket from December 1990

NEW WEST TV show

Kirsty MacColl - Don't Come The Cowboy With Me, Sonny Jim

December 14, 1990. Kirsty sang ‘Don’t Come the Cowboy with me, Sonny Jim!’ on the show.

Thanks Ruby for the link.