Rock Stars Unite At Tartan Clef Awards

Nov 25 2007 By Billy Sloan Showbiz Editor

U2's Edge hails Scots punk legends at awards show

U2 GUITAR hero The Edge last night paid tribute to the Scots punk rockers who launched his superstar career.

He hailed The Skids - led by singer Richard Jobson and late guitarist Stuart Adamson - as the group were awarded a top music award.

The Fife band were honoured with a lifetime achievement award at a star-studded ceremony staged by music therapy charity Nordoff-Robbins (Scotland).

The Edge - whose band covered Skids classic The Saints Are Coming in aid of the New Orleans victims of Hurricane Katrina - said: "The first Skids song I ever heard was Into The Valley - I immediately wanted to write something as good.

"Stuart Adamson's guitar playing left me feeling wholly inadequate. He had a big influence on me."

The Edge hailed The Skids as they received their Tartan Clef award - to mark their 30th anniversary - at the annual event in Glasgow last night.

The rock charity raises money to fund work done by music therapists across Scotland and their awards party was attended by Scotland's biggest stars.

U2 teamed up with Green Day to record The Saints Are Coming at London's famous Abbey Road studios.

Jobson donated his £500,000 royalties from the 1978 song to U2's Music Rising appeal. The Edge said: "When I first heard The Skids I was totally blown away. Their songwriting was amazing.

"We tried as a band on numerous occasions to do something as good as Into The Valley.

"When I got the first Skids album - Scared To Dance - the song I really fell in love with was The Saints Are Coming.

"When I found out what it was written about it just really moved me.

"When I got the call about doing something for New Orleans, I was thinking, 'What can we do?'.

"The Saints Are Coming presented itself as the song for that moment.

"The Saints Are Coming took on a lot of significance for New Orleans. We changed a few lyrics - with Richard's blessing - and it's become a big anthem there."

The Edge hopes The Skids' Tartan Clef award will introduce the Fife band's sound to a new generation of fans. He said:

"The Skids were one of the great bands.

I'd have loved to have seen them last a few more years.

"It's an incredible honour to be able to say congratulations to The Skids for everything - their amazing music and this Nordoff-Robbins award."

Skids frontman Richard Jobson, Franz Ferdinand and Idlewild attended last night's ceremony to collect coveted Tartan Clef awards. Sharleen Spiteri presented a song-writing award to her Texas bandmate Johnny McElhone, while Dante Gizzi from El Presidente was thrilled to pick up a trophy on behalf of his former group Gun.

The star-studded evening kicked off with a blistering opening set from Scots pop legends Wet WetWet, who interrupted preparations for their upcoming tour to perform.

Frontman Marti Pellow wowed celebs including Biffy Clyro, Amy Macdonald and DJ Heather Suttie with renditions of their classic track Wishing I Was Lucky and new single Too Many People.

Wet Wet Wet won the Silver Clef in 1987 and Tartan Clef nine years later.

Marti said: "Nordoff-Robbins music therapy is about improving the quality of life for people cut off from the usual world."

Texas star Sharleen flew home from London to present the songwriter award to McElhone. She said: "What Nordoff-Robbins does is fantastic, so I'm very happy to be here."

Franz Ferdinand singer Alex Kapranos was delighted to win the Tartan Clef.

He said: "The competition was pretty stiff so it's quite an honour to win this award. Nordoff-Robbins is a great charity.

Music therapy is close to our hearts and something we're proud to be part of."

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan saw his side take on Aberdeen at Parkhead then rushed across the city to attend. He said:

"We have some of the best bands in the world. It's a great night for a great cause."

Promoters Pete Irvine and Barry Wright of Regular Music won the Sunday Mail's Music Industry Award.

Pete said: "We are thoroughly chuffed and surprised to receive this award."

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