I wasn't ready for it either... I still shed a tear every time Steve Wright plays Party Fears Two on the radio, and mentions Billy by name. I was his neighbour for 5 years at Auchterhouse, hopefully a friend, and used to hear him singing coming up the stairs to his apartment. My girlfriend at the time, now my wife, and daughter became great friends with him, and we all miss him dearly. I always remember he was so excited that he had new music and a new album coming out, and he gave my daughter a vinyl EP from it.
@@colinmckenzie-stewart4637 We were friends here in London, I have the white label they gave me of "Tell me Easter's on Friday" still. I'm reading the book about him now, it's why I'm here, and I keep saying "Stupid boy" thinking of his ending. Bless him.
He was some character and used to see him with doggos on the drive through stobswell n up past the ponds in my wee red and white kangoo back in the Dingbro days
Over the years I have known many people who either knew Billy MacKenzie personally, or came across him in some capacity (I'm a Scot) and not one had a bad word to say about him. He leaves the impression of not only being a huge talent, but also a genuinely lovely guy with a huge heart, I'm just sorry it was a legacy he had to leave. As for Bono, I'm no fan of his, but hats off for the lovely words, who cares whether he had to read them off a script? I take them in the spirit in which they were meant. RIP Billy, I hope you found your bliss.
I knew Billy. Even after the supposed fame had deserted him. I wish I could helped him with his demons. He had the voice of a superior, spiritual being. Oh Billy.
Wonderful appreciation of a fellow artist from Bono,as a massive fan of Billy I thought the eulogy was perfect & whatever u think of Bono who is any amazing artist let's be respectful and put criticism to one side in regard of Bono as he has took the time to do this & I for one appreciate it as I'm sure it is in respect of a fellow artist he genuinely admired..
I never knew Billy MacKenzie was so appreciated. I was always the only person I knew who even knew who he was. He was a sound echoing up from deep beneath the Earth.
What a beautiful eulogy ! Billy was an amazing ,true talent, and to hear the likes of Bono verify that in such an eloquent way is a truly beautiful thing !The associates, Billy et al deserve recognition, they were a big part of the early 80's music scene in its most productive, lasting sense. RIP Billy x
I've just found out that he past away back then ( I was abroad ) ........ so I'm very shocked etc/ 😢 " because when i was a teenager, and he went on top of the pops , I loved his voice so much, that I bought hes album. """ HE WAS A LEGEND SINGER " ......AND SINCE HE PASSED AWAY, THERE HASN'T BEEN ANYONE LIKE HIM .
Thats what you call an epitaph ! Bono has always been a man of words, profound ones at that ! Looking at how far U2 went and The Associates didnt I think this puts things in perspective. Praise from a contemporary and indeed a friend ! Beautiful stuff !
Mike Fellows the man speaks complete bollocks yes the associates were brilliant but praise from a man who doesn"t want to contribute correctly to his own country but is willing to contribute words to a fellow musician their cheap bono arn't they tax dodger
I can't believe i'm saying this, but for the good Memory of Master Mackenzie, I will … it's the first time in forty years that i appreciated words and sound coming out of where you also know.
Check out the song that Billy wrote for Shirley Bassey, "The Rhythm Divine" but they both sang the song backed by the band Yello. Billy did it better, but, let's not argue over who is better.
Taken from the original version of "The Glamour chase" book about Billy where Bono has written the foreword. Check out "Paper House" and "Geese" to hear Alan Rankine riffs they ripped off. Alan Rankine gone too soon as well.
A transcription: 'The best aesthetes are working class. Courage by contrast, Oscar Wilde on the buses. Versace down the chip shop. A falsetto voice on the terraces. Disco ball of nerves that he was, Billy Mackenzie was an aesthete. The Associates were a great group - we ripped them off. Billy was a great singer; I couldn't rip him off. He was Caruso on a balloon of oxygen. He was over the top, and reminded me of my mate and similarly persecuted cabaret volcano Gavin Friday. There was a gang of us that seemed to start school on the same day - Billy [Mackenzie], Ian [McCulloch], Julian[Cope], Pete[Wylie] and myself. Similar, except, we couldn't sing and Billy could. He had the opera and when the World was brown, or black, or khaki and the raincoat was that year's duffel, Billy was ultraviolet; ultra everything, except ultra cool. As I say, he had the opera. Others were singing from a lesser, more protected place. Some had the stance, even the craft but never the generosity. We wanted to break your heart - he let his heart be broken. The last time I saw him, he looked like a cross between a bus conductor and Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront, except instead of a lowrider, he had a whippet; that seemed to take him for a walk. He was a kind of fairground attraction and I think he'd been taken for a few rides as well along the way. He seemed surprised that I was so happy to see him and so excited to hear his voice on tape. He thought the World had forgotten him, and I hope it never does.'
Billy was my idle as a nineteen year old heterosexual bloke growing in Wellington NZ when I heard the associates at school in 81'. later I was somewhat dismayed when I comprehended he was gay'. due to the lyrics of 18 carrot love affair which was originally without lyrics' I wonder why...?? However he had such a polished voice alongside musical maestro Alan Rankine. Will always remember Billy the kid'
Glenn gregory from heaven 17 does a slower version of Party fears too. Billy was his friend, and every gig performance upsets him to sing it. look it up on here.
my most memorable moment, watching u2 come on stage at glastonbury waiting for the opening bars to the opening song and then walking off, just so i could say to my kids i walked out on a u2 concert, my goodness he fancies himself, so glad i walked
Bono - you are a liar. You never knew Billy McKenzie. Billy went to school in Dundee, Scotland. The first time I met him was in his second-hand clothing shop, called, 'The Crypt', in Albert Street, Dundee, in 1978. I, subsequently, taught his nephew, in exactly the same area. You've never, even, been to Dundee. You are a liar.
Bono met Billy on the music circuit... like he says the bands started out roughly the same time. You didn't need to go to Dundee to meet and 'know' Billy
Wow...he has to read it from a script! Completely unauthentic. Billy was unique and a complete one off. Bono on the other hand ,is a bit like Paul McCartney, they just won't STFU and go away.
Shit, I wasn't ready for that. Had me in tears, and fair play Bono. Billy Mackenzie will NEVER be forgotten. NEVER
I wasn't ready for it either... I still shed a tear every time Steve Wright plays Party Fears Two on the radio, and mentions Billy by name. I was his neighbour for 5 years at Auchterhouse, hopefully a friend, and used to hear him singing coming up the stairs to his apartment. My girlfriend at the time, now my wife, and daughter became great friends with him, and we all miss him dearly. I always remember he was so excited that he had new music and a new album coming out, and he gave my daughter a vinyl EP from it.
@@colinmckenzie-stewart4637 We were friends here in London, I have the white label they gave me of "Tell me Easter's on Friday" still. I'm reading the book about him now, it's why I'm here, and I keep saying "Stupid boy" thinking of his ending. Bless him.
He was some character and used to see him with doggos on the drive through stobswell n up past the ponds in my wee red and white kangoo back in the Dingbro days
Over the years I have known many people who either knew Billy MacKenzie personally, or came across him in some capacity (I'm a Scot) and not one had a bad word to say about him. He leaves the impression of not only being a huge talent, but also a genuinely lovely guy with a huge heart, I'm just sorry it was a legacy he had to leave.
As for Bono, I'm no fan of his, but hats off for the lovely words, who cares whether he had to read them off a script? I take them in the spirit in which they were meant. RIP Billy, I hope you found your bliss.
Well said
Very, very well said. I'm with you 100%. And I wish Beautiful Billy was still with us. RIP cheeky angel.
I knew Billy. Even after the supposed fame had deserted him. I wish I could helped him with his demons. He had the voice of a superior, spiritual being. Oh Billy.
To be fair to Bono, he was reading from his biography.
Billy Mackenzie , what a legend!!!!!!!
Billy Mackenzie....massive voice...beautiful man ...we wont forget you....RIP Billy....always in our hearts....
Too true, good person , ☺️
Billy MacKenzie, Ian McCulloch, Julian Cope, Pete Wylie and Bono The Gang he refers too. All quality musicians and a great tribute to a dear friend.
yes.... 100% (Except its Billy MacKenzie ;) ) and I know Pete Wylie himself has viewed and liked this :)
Wonderful appreciation of a fellow artist from Bono,as a massive fan of Billy I thought the eulogy was perfect & whatever u think of Bono who is any amazing artist let's be respectful and put criticism to one side in regard of Bono as he has took the time to do this & I for one appreciate it as I'm sure it is in respect of a fellow artist he genuinely admired..
How was Billy connected to the Liverpool gang?
To hear this about a friend of mines from Dundee 🏴 has brought me to tears 😢🙏 thank you Bono from one ☝️ Legend to another Rip 💙😢🙏🏴💯💯💯
I never knew Billy MacKenzie was so appreciated. I was always the only person I knew who even knew who he was. He was a sound echoing up from deep beneath the Earth.
I’ve never seen this one . Thank you for posting this . Billys voice won’t ever be forgotten .
Amazing tribute to long missed Billy
Kind words about a great talent so missed
This is the coolest thing Bono has ever done.
\
AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE FROM BONO 2 BILLY RESPECT N LOVE 2 BOTH MEN WORKING CLASS (CLASS ACTS) X X
Billy McKenzie.....legend....beautiful man, beautiful voice.....We remember you....never forgotten....RIP....
Cheers Bono, great honest tribute . I am sure you never ripped them off. U2 had their own sound. He will always be a Legend !!!!!!
That brought a tear to my Scottish eye, beautiful words for a beautiful man
Still missing Billy 27 yesrs on...
20 yrs on a gloomy Sunday today, rip Billy. 🙏
Wow that was beautiful
Gary Wilson it sure was. I teared up on his last line. Lovely words from Bono ❤️
What a beautiful eulogy ! Billy was an amazing ,true talent, and to hear the likes of Bono verify that in such an eloquent way is a truly beautiful thing !The associates, Billy et al deserve recognition, they were a big part of the early 80's music scene in its most productive, lasting sense. RIP Billy x
That was so profoundly touching. Thank you.
We reinvented him again!
So beautiful what you just said that almost tears came to my eyes.
Utterly moving, selfless and loyal, sublime.
i was lucky enough to meet him / build a kennel for his dogs and loved his chat each day i was there
Billy a most beautiful soul on this earthly life and the next
Incredible talent
💗😇💗
I've just found out that he past away back then ( I was abroad ) ........ so I'm very shocked etc/ 😢 " because when i was a teenager, and he went on top of the pops , I loved his voice so much, that I bought hes album. """ HE WAS A LEGEND SINGER " ......AND SINCE HE PASSED AWAY, THERE HASN'T BEEN ANYONE LIKE HIM .
and that's why bono can write such amazing songs. fantastic remembrance of billy and what a singular talent he was. RIP.
Despite Bono's massive success, he must surely feel totally inadequate when standing in the shadow of Billy MacKenzie.
Billy was a fantastic singer his voice was incredible!!!! Rip Billy!
Thanks to Bono for such a fitting & considered tribute!
Thats what you call an epitaph ! Bono has always been a man of words, profound ones at that ! Looking at how far U2 went and The Associates didnt I think this puts things in perspective. Praise from a contemporary and indeed a friend ! Beautiful stuff !
Mike Fellows the man speaks complete bollocks yes the associates were brilliant but praise from a man who doesn"t want to contribute correctly to his own country but is willing to contribute words to a fellow musician their cheap bono arn't they tax dodger
@@stephenroche5107 yes l agree l pay my taxs and l live in Ireland
I can't believe i'm saying this, but for the good Memory of Master Mackenzie, I will … it's the first time in forty years that i appreciated words and sound coming out of where you also know.
What a wonderful tribute Bono x .....
Tnx Bono GREAT tribute
What a nice tribute, kudos
Billy MacKenzie. What a fucking voice! Magnificent. Rest in peace.
You know his equally wonderful Associates associate, Alan Rankine died on Christmas day?
Yes, I heard. Very sad.
Never forgot Billy, from a fellow Dundonian. Ann x
Beautifully stated
That last line...powerful.
Well said Bono absolute fantastic words !!
beautiful Bono!
Check out the song that Billy wrote for Shirley Bassey, "The Rhythm Divine" but they both sang the song backed by the band Yello. Billy did it better, but, let's not argue over who is better.
No argument here. With her there was the guaranteed sales. Apparently he had to leave the recording studio while she sang.
Just came across this what a tribute to billy
That's lovely! Also immortalised in the song 'William' it was Really Nothing.
nice one bono
Blimey, I'm surprised. But I'm pleased Bono's good for something.
Excellently put.
Made some great music years ago. X
Well said Bono👍❗️
Never forgotten
Iam going to say this at the next passing RIP BILLY
I agree Audrey
Taken from the original version of "The Glamour chase" book about Billy where Bono has written the foreword. Check out "Paper House" and "Geese" to hear Alan Rankine riffs they ripped off. Alan Rankine gone too soon as well.
Jeez i miss u Billy 😢
Well said Bono!!!!
WOW. Beautiful😢😊
How so very sad. I didn't even know BMc had died ..
Amazing billy
Great .great.great.
Love from Italy.
Billy was the best vocalist ever.
Now his heir is Mart Avi from Estonia.
A transcription: 'The best aesthetes are working class. Courage by contrast, Oscar Wilde on the buses. Versace down the chip shop. A falsetto voice on the terraces. Disco ball of nerves that he was, Billy Mackenzie was an aesthete. The Associates were a great group - we ripped them off. Billy was a great singer; I couldn't rip him off. He was Caruso on a balloon of oxygen. He was over the top, and reminded me of my mate and similarly persecuted cabaret volcano Gavin Friday. There was a gang of us that seemed to start school on the same day - Billy [Mackenzie], Ian [McCulloch], Julian[Cope], Pete[Wylie] and myself. Similar, except, we couldn't sing and Billy could. He had the opera and when the World was brown, or black, or khaki and the raincoat was that year's duffel, Billy was ultraviolet; ultra everything, except ultra cool. As I say, he had the opera. Others were singing from a lesser, more protected place. Some had the stance, even the craft but never the generosity. We wanted to break your heart - he let his heart be broken. The last time I saw him, he looked like a cross between a bus conductor and Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront, except instead of a lowrider, he had a whippet; that seemed to take him for a walk. He was a kind of fairground attraction and I think he'd been taken for a few rides as well along the way. He seemed surprised that I was so happy to see him and so excited to hear his voice on tape. He thought the World had forgotten him, and I hope it never does.'
Beautiful words bono.
Nice words from a complete hypocritical twat
Lovely
Billy loved his mum so much, he did not recover from her death, George Michael was the same after his mum went. There is a heaven folks.
Billy was my idle as a nineteen year old heterosexual bloke growing in Wellington NZ when I heard the associates at school in 81'. later I was somewhat dismayed when I comprehended he was gay'. due to the lyrics of 18 carrot love affair which was originally without lyrics' I wonder why...?? However he had such a polished voice alongside musical maestro Alan Rankine. Will always remember Billy the kid'
In case you aren't aware, Alan Rankine died in his sleep on Christmas day.
nice tribute
25 years dead. Where does the time go?
Billy was recognized as being a fine singer, taken far too early🙏
he wasn't taken, he ended his own life, which is by far sadder
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Glenn gregory from heaven 17 does a slower version of Party fears too. Billy was his friend, and every gig performance upsets him to sing it. look it up on here.
IAM IN FUCKIN TEARS
So honest.
Nice eulogy, I was Billyś sound guy for a while, after 47 years mixing nobody has ever come close to Billy ś voice, nobody.
why is Billy referred to like he is a pound shop version of all the greats by Bono?
Billy was THE greatest Bono could only hope to sound as good!
I think you misinterpret him. That’s not remotely how it sounds. He speaks with pure love & reverence for Billy and his voice.
@@Lorrico14 its still redundant in nature and the average Joe won't pick up on it but I feel its reductive
my most memorable moment, watching u2 come on stage at glastonbury waiting for the opening bars to the opening song and then walking off, just so i could say to my kids i walked out on a u2 concert, my goodness he fancies himself, so glad i walked
He was the bridesmaid at my first weddings plus one.
Totally x
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊
Gone too soon ..
I hope ur there when l die
Please some one say this when l pass just say Audrey instead of Billy RIP BILLY OMG TO BE YOUNG
Wow
Bloody hell there are some people you’d rather not have as fans.
Damn I'm only learning of the Associates now March '23! Maybe being American is the excuse??
Even in todays instant music culture , most Americans don’t know who the fuck the associates are . Don’t feel bad 😂
Bono, not a poet, but he know ith.
I think you also ripped Matt Johnson off according to his brother Andy Dog he once told me.
We don't need this hypocritical, elite puppet to tell us how great Billy MacKenzie was. We, already know!
Tom Doyle, who wrote Billy’s biography obviously disagreed, since this is the foreword to said book.
You may not like Bono but he clearly loved Billy.
No point lifting up bad examples
Shut up Bono he was in another dimension to you.
Never
Loads of people say, I just wish that mankind hadn't given into homosexuality, sad.
Bono - you are a liar.
You never knew Billy McKenzie.
Billy went to school in Dundee, Scotland.
The first time I met him was in his second-hand clothing shop, called, 'The Crypt', in Albert Street, Dundee, in 1978.
I, subsequently, taught his nephew, in exactly the same area.
You've never, even, been to Dundee.
You are a liar.
Bono met Billy on the music circuit... like he says the bands started out roughly the same time. You didn't need to go to Dundee to meet and 'know' Billy
Er - apart from the U2 concert in Caird Hall in 83 of course
@@niallnz 😂
🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻🤦🏻♂️
Wow...he has to read it from a script! Completely unauthentic. Billy was unique and a complete one off. Bono on the other hand ,is a bit like Paul McCartney, they just won't STFU and go away.
he's actually reading his OWN forward in Tom Doyles bio The Glamour Chase
Bono is nothing but a of ahore
The
A
Wow