Ally McErlaine

Alistair Manson "Ally" McErlaine (born 31 October 1968, Glasgow, Scotland)^[1] is a Scottish guitarist, best known for his work with the band Texas, which he has been a member of since 1988.^[2] Ally is also a member of Red Sky July who released their self-titled debut album on 17 October 2011.

Biography

McErlaine married Shelly Poole from Alisha's Attic in 2001. Other works aside from Texas, included a guest appearance on Rufus Wainwright's second album, Poses (2001), and Alain Bashung's 1994 album Chatterton.^[3] He was also the lead guitarist on the soundtrack album for the 2004 remake of the film, Alfie, along with Mick Jagger and David A. Stewart.

He wrote and played guitar on two songs on Daisy Dares You's album, Rush on Jive Records.

McErlaine also wrote and played on the song "Hope", with Jack Savoretti and his wife Shelly Poole from her album, Hard Time for the Dreamer. It was released on Transistor Records in June 2005. It received airplay on BBC Radio 2 in November 2005.

McErlaine also played guitar on Gabrielle's fifth album, Always. In 2009, he started the alternative country band, Red Sky July, with his wife and Charity Hair, the latter a singer from Miami, Florida. They were set to record an album scheduled for release in 2010.

Texas

He is the only band member, other than Sharleen Spiteri and John McElhone, to be credited with being a founder member of Texas.

September 2009 collapse

On 8 September 2009, McErlaine was hospitalized after he collapsed with a massive brain aneurysm at the age of 41. His chances of recovery were initially unclear.^[4][5][6] McErlaine was in a coma for nine weeks, and spent six and a half months in hospital, before being discharged to continue to recover at home. By July 2010, McErlaine had recovered enough to perform on stage in several shows with Red Sky July, and had a chance to join Texas for their tour in 2011.^[7]

Discography

• Southside (1989)
• Mothers Heaven (1991)
• Ricks Road (1993)
• White on Blonde (1997)
• The Hush (1999)
• Careful What You Wish For (2003)
• Red Book (2005)

References

1. IMDb.com
2. Discogs.com
3. Chatterton (album booklet). Alain Bashung. Barclay Records. 1994. 523 111-2.
4. Texas Guitarist suffering Critical after brain haemorrhage
5. Texas guitar player Ally McErlaine in hospital after fall in London
6. Texas Guaturist in critical conditions after brain haemorrhage
7. Guitarist Ally McErlaine set to tour with Texas again after recovering from aneurysm