Obituary

Posted: Sun., Dec. 31, 2000, 11:00pm PT

Kirsty MacColl

Singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl died Dec. 18 in a boating accident in Mexico. She was 41.

The U.K.-born MacColl was best known for the 1987 Christmas hit "Fairytale of New York," a duet with Shane McGowan and the Pogues.

MacColl began her musical career at age 19 with Stiff Records, and enjoyed chart success with "There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop (Swears He's Elvis)" and a cover of Billy Bragg's "A New England."

Her debut single, "They Don't Know," which failed to make an impact, was later a hit for actress-comedienne Tracey Ullman.

MacColl released seven albums over her career, the last 1999's Latin American-influenced "Tropical Brainstorm." She had just completed a radio series for the BBC on Cuban music.

MacColl is survived by two sons from her marriage to record producer Steve Lillywhite, which ended in 1997.

Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

HERE ARE OTHER ARTICLES RECOMMENDED FOR YOU…
    Newstogram
    SharePrint VarietyVariety RSS feedsBookmark

    Get Variety:

    Variety AppsVariety DigitalNewsletters

    Variety Luxury Real Estate