OTLEY Courthouse is excited to welcome The Bluebells, the Scottish pop band behind 80s hits like I’m Falling, Cath, and their UK No. 1, Young at Heart, for a live performance on Thursday, December 7th.
Formed in the early 1980s, The Bluebells quickly gained a loyal following with songs that combined catchy melodies with straightforward, heartfelt lyrics. Guitarist and songwriter Robert Hodgens (aka Bobby Bluebell), along with Kenneth and David McCluskey, became known for their infectious sound, which even attracted the attention of Elvis Costello, who mentored the band and helped refine their early work. Their debut album Sisters in 1984, released on London Records, led to tours across Europe and North America and a contract with Sire Records in the U.S.
Though the band parted ways in the mid-80s, each member went on to pursue music in their own right. Robert turned his focus to songwriting, working with acts like Texas and the late Sinéad O'Connor, while Kenneth and David performed as the McCluskey Brothers. But in 1993, The Bluebells found themselves back in the spotlight when Young at Heart was featured in a Volkswagen advert, catapulting the single to No. 1 on the UK charts for four weeks. A reunion followed, and a compilation album, The Singles Collection, reached No. 27 on the UK Albums Chart.
More recently, The Bluebells were honoured with two Scottish Music Business Awards, including the Tartan Clef Award for Songwriting at the Nordoff-Robbins charity event in Glasgow. This recognition inspired them to reissue Sisters through Last Night From Glasgow, followed by new material on their latest album, The Bluebells in the 21st Century, released in April 2023.
Now performing acoustic shows as a trio, Bobby, Ken, and David bring a mix of new songs and fan favourites to their live sets. Their show at Otley Courthouse on December 7th at 8pm is a chance to hear The Bluebells’ classic sound in an intimate venue, connecting their original hits with their latest work.
To book tickets (£21) visit www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, call our box office on 01943 467466 or pop into the Courthouse on Courthouse Street, Otley, LS21 3AN
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