Hamish Imlach

Hamish Imlach pursued a multifaceted career that encompassed anti-nuclear activism, comedy, folk singing, and political satire. Born in Scotland, he launched his recording efforts in 1966 with the XTRA imprint of Transatlantic Records and went on to complete eight well-received LPs for the label during the ensuing seven years. While he held a deep affection for traditional folk material, his output also incorporated pointed political commentary, evident in his renditions of Scottish and Irish topical songs; nevertheless, his humorous numbers centered on bodily functions reached the broadest listenership. The fusion of folk traditions with comedic delivery positioned him as a politicized, scatological Scottish counterpart to Allan Sherman, an approach that left a lasting mark on a wave of emerging English performers and even surfaced in the style of Monty Python's Flying Circus. His 300-pound frame, combined with a fondness for tobacco and alcohol, eventually undermined his well-being, restricting his stage work in his final years even though he supplied vocals and arrangement guidance for Sinead O'Connor's 1990 release Lion In A Cage. In 1992 he authored the memoir Cod Liver Oil And The Orange Juice - Reminiscences Of A Fat Folk Singer, whose opening phrase also served as the title of one of his signature songs; other audience favorites included "Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair," "This Sporting Life," and "Sonny's Dream."