A Tribute To Chris Bailey R.I.P.

[@casparwijn]

Chris was totally the kindest guy you could ever meet. no nastynes there.. if anything he was actually very private and a bit shy.. he tended to put a "blocky" act on in interviews etc. but he was sweetness all the way!

[@benrankins4446]

So good to hear that 👍

[@maryburke5423]

That really comes out in later interviews as he became more comfortable with his own intelligence, with and generall decency.

[@radiodamon8750]

Thanks mate . I miss these guys so much

[@destab007]

Meant alot to me at 16 May there be peace Chris. "Never gonna give me what I need" you tried mate!!

[@benrankins4446]

Never got the recognition he deserved along with the rest of the original Saints 👍

[@kitthearty]

When you are young, things change so fast. And the changes are quite major. I was 18 in 74. The beatles and early stones and who etc were old hat for us. We were led zep and uriah heap then at uni softer stuff like Fleetwood Mac and the british Steeleye span supertramp Joan Armatrading. Then when the punk stuff started I felt old. I went to punk pubs in Sydney in the late 70's. It was ok but I was already at work. The record companies ruled. You could hardly buy albums that were more than 2 years old. What I want to say is how lucky we are to have all this stuff on the internet now. Nice tribute enjoy every sandwich lol

[@samsara3694]

Thank you for the tribute. Algy Ward replaced Kim Bradshaw for the third album. Algy then left for the Damned. Have just about everything Chris ever released, including H-Burns etc. Of his post Ed Kuepper Saints days, I still find All Fools Day his most rounded album.

[@benrankins4446]

I couldn't remember the details at the time & just wanted to put something out as soon as I heard to pay my respects to the man.

[@sugarbone-cage8497]

Totally shocked to hear the sad news on his death. His voice defined punk, maybe in a more pronounced way as Johnny Rotten ever did. I saw him once in Freiburg (South Germany) in a small club around 1987, realizing what a fantastic singer this dude was, e.g. singing easily Otis Redding classics (such as Security, see Prehistoric S.). Very nice and thoughtful overviev from you. Thanks a lot👍!

[@benrankins4446]

Yeah it was sad to see him go & not very old either. Prehistoric sounds certainly does make a case for his ability to sing soul. Thanks...Ben

[@petethebastard]

Demolition Girl is my favourite-est Saints song! Best ever line: Don't tell 'bout something I already don't wanna know!

[@benrankins4446]

It’s a ripper alright…I love the way it slams straight into Nights In Venice too. Cheers….Ben 👍

[@petethebastard]

@@benrankins4446 Cheers... I'll look in on your channel more! Pete...

[@petethebastard]

Not much on my channel, bloke... some cars, some choppers....

[@jeffreywegener8841]

There was originally a Demolition Girl Part 2 The first song stopped then went slow half time jazzy sort of feel where Chris would mostly improvise over the top. Oh What fun it was. I miss him a lot.

[@edwingarland8266]

Wonderful tribute Only thing the Saints 1976/1977. Constantly stated we are not a punk band. They had disdain for what they found in the UK The same fir Radio Birdman . Who formed around the same time. 1973/74 They had so many influences.

[@benrankins4446]

I agree and said that they were around early as Kid Galahad. And as far as labels go, as much as bands try to direct this fans end having the last laugh eg. Freakbeat, Proto Punk etc. Yep they had many influences, that's what to me made them a cut above the rest.

[@stevecarlsonvinylcommunity9147]

Too many of us know the Saints only This was a great retrospective of his works, very interesting and gives us something else to look for

[@benrankins4446]

If nothing else I hope it creates some interest so people might want to find out more about Chis Bailey & the mighty Saints. Cheers….Ben

[@rocky-o]

swing for the crime...everyone in double time.......rest in peace....

[@benrankins4446]

Prehistoric Sounds is so underrated. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers...Ben

[@maximumrnb66]

Superb tribute and post Ben..I think you covered it all..Amazing band...Spot on with your words... RIP Chris🤘.

[@benrankins4446]

Thanks Chris.The Saints were pretty special to me & Chris Bailey was the perfect singer for that band. Cheers….Ben

[@Agaricfly68]

A fantastic tribute, Ben! Kudos!

[@benrankins4446]

Thanks Mark. Still sad to think he’s gone. Cheers….Ben

[@TheFairway8]

I was 12 when the Stranded album came out my older punk brother offered me 50 pence to cycle to our local ‘posh’ department store to get the album for him always loved The Saints, The Story of Love is probably one of my favourite times songs of all time with an outstanding melodic solo from Ed Kueper. I was always interested in Chris Baileys versions of The Saints. Paralytic Tonight Dublin Tomorrow and of course All Fools Day. Plus the later stuff.

[@benrankins4446]

I love stories like yours of how people came across their favourite records. A 50 pence bike ride that gave you a lifetime of Saints is a pretty good deal in my book 👍

[@TheFairway8]

@@benrankins4446 exactly they went on to become one of my favourite punk bands although Chris was always dismissive of the term punk. If they didn't adhere to the punk fashion their music and attitude screamed punk rock in spades. I remember there was a TV programme called Return of the Saint originally with Roger Moore but later with Ian Ogilvie. One episode was partly filmed at the Marquee club in London and The Saints were playing live at the club. Always remember saying to my brother the producers must have made a point of looking out for them to include them in that episode. Someone's put the clip up on KZbin and in I think the box set you've got there's a photo of The Saints with the TV star

[@benrankins4446]

@@TheFairway8 Totally agree. They definitely had that attitude and to me that's what makes it punk. Probably even more than the music. All of the early US & UK punk bands all sound completely different, but that attitude was what defined them as punk to me. I always wondered about how that Saint/Saints photo came about. Besides the name it seemed very odd that they were moving in the same circles. I will have to do a search online to check out the footage.I love some of those old band promotional ideas. There can be some really bizarre pairings & you wonder how they agreed to it in the first place 😂 Cheers...Ben

[@maryburke5423]

@@TheFairway8going to go look for that episode of The Saint. Loved that show as a kid. Thanks

[@DivineElectric]

Great video. The Monkey Puzzle is a flawless exciting album, not a bad song on it, brilliant lyrics, powerful delivery. You really should get to know it. The Paralytic Tonight, Dublin Tomorrow EP that preceded it was absolutely brilliant as well. Also, Howling and Everybody Knows the Monkey were a refreshing return to loud guitars and adrenaline songs, exciting in their own right. His poetry was solid throughout his whole career, on par with guys like Ian Hunter and Bob Dylan in my book. His entire output means the world to me.

[@benrankins4446]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes I must delve deeper into Chris Bailey’s Saints catalogue. I don’t know why I kept up with Ed’s output instead. Also a pretty stellar catalogue in my opinion. Cheers for the recommendations 👍….,,Ben

[@bipbopboom]

Excellent video and tribute, Ben!! Such sad news!! Big fan of those first three records. Even though it’s a sad time, I enjoyed your opinions, information and stories! Thanks for this tribute! Cheers, Jon

[@benrankins4446]

Thanks for the kind words Jon. The one positive that has come out of this sad news is that I have received really positive feedback from people expressing their love for The Saints.

[@glennoc8585]

I saw the Saints in the late 80s in Adelaide and it was a great show. Bailey was not in his best health back then. I think he loved the drink and smoked so probably caused his relatively early passing.

[@benrankins4446]

Wow that would've been great. He certainly did give the drink a nudge over the years and in early footage he's always got a dart on the go. Cheers...Ben

[@EmbryonicRobot]

Very good tribute. 65 is way too young :(

[@benrankins4446]

Yeah I couldn’t believe it. I still haven’t heard how he died. As you can probably tell from this & in some of my other vid’s The Saints we’re pretty special to me.

[@shaunspins]

Nice tribute you made. A punk band with a brass section. I hope you are well

[@benrankins4446]

Thanks Shaun. They made the horns work too, without going into ska territory (not that I'm anti ska). I'm going well thanks. Can't wait until we hook up soon to chat with Ian. Should be fun. Take care mate 👍

[@shaunspins]

@@benrankins4446 Horns have add a great sound to band, unique. Looking forward to chat also.

[@totalinsignificance51]

New subscriber, really have been enjoying your posts. Touching tribute to a legend.

[@benrankins4446]

Thank you so much for the kind words and the sub. Chris Bailey & Ed Kuepper have had their differences but they're inseparable because of the brilliant music they created and deserve wider recognition. Cheers...Ben PS I've just noticed that you posted an entry to my no prize contest. I was away for the weekend, but will endeavour to check it out soon and leave a comment and sub 👍

[@twonk09]

good comments , thanks.

[@benrankins4446]

Thanks Peter, the man deserved a tribute I thought. Thanks hanks for the sub too 👍

[@letstalk3265]

The Monkey Puzzle is Chris's first and best Saints album post the split. The songs are great and you want to sing the whole album. Always, Always, Let's Pretend, Miss Wonderful et al are SUPERB. A play on the intro to the final song Dizzy Miss Lizzy.

[@benrankins4446]

So cool to here so much love for the great man. Cheers...Ben

[@letstalk3265]

Grew up in Brizzie Ben. Saw the band practise (I'm) Stranded et al before they released it ie knew the boys. Biased, Yes. As a music head like yourself you know great when you here it. Like when my eldest brother's mate came back from the US in the early 70's with a copy of Rodriguez's ''Cold Fact''. We then ordered a copy and that got played to death along with early Trower, Eno, Tangerine Dream, Hawkwind et al. Then when Cold Fact blew up in the mid-70's We were like .... really, now. Most of my vinyl got destroyed, stolen or lent and never returned. The serendipitous nature in those days meant that was the way it was. Have you still got that album I lent you? Always an after-thought. 4ZZZ got many of my very obscure and now very rare vinyl. It is what it is. You definitely know GREAT when you hear it. The Saints are GREAT.

[@benrankins4446]

@@letstalk3265 Wow what a privilege to have seen them practice! You've got some great stories mate. It reminded me of my uncle telling how they'd take records to parties forget about them or they'd get destroyed, etc. As you said that was just how it was in those times. Good to hear at least a community radio station got your rare records. Hope they appreciated it. Cheers..Ben

[@brokewithaudiophiletaste6076]

Thought about you immediately when I heard the news. Thanks for making this, which I'll watch later but wanted to comment right away.

[@benrankins4446]

Thanks mate. Appreciate the thought 👍

[@brokewithaudiophiletaste6076]

@@benrankins4446 great tribute and overview. I'd never heard that whole story before. So cool you got to see the 2009 reunion with Kuepper! Still, a big loss.

[@drewsale7288]

Thanks for the video. Unfortunately Chris's passing barely rated a mention in Aussie mainstream media. Know Your Product is a total banger.

[@benrankins4446]

I only saw a small report on the ABC. TBH my expectations were pretty low for any recognition for Bailey. Unless you’re good with a bat, ball or racquet they don’t want to know about you. KYP certainly is a banger 👍

[@drewsale7288]

@@benrankins4446 I only saw one ABC online story about CB's death. That's it. He deserved a better send off. Part of the problem is that he didn't play sport, as you said. Thanks again for your video. Looks like you have an awesome record collection.

[@drewsale7288]

@@benrankins4446 As a side note, whenever an Aussie cultural hero like Chris Bailey dies I think "Who's going to replace these figures when they've all gone?" We don't produce the likes of Bailey, Amphlett, Hutchence etc. anymore. Even a Shane Warne or Paul Hogan are unlikely to come along again because the culture won't tolerate such colourful personalities. I think that's a real shame.

[@benrankins4446]

@@drewsale7288 There’s still a lot of colourful characters at the Tote 😂

[@drewsale7288]

@@benrankins4446 Sure they're around, but will they make it to national prominence or remain a fringe act? Will we see the likes of The Saints, Radio Birdman, Nick Cave, AC/DC etc. again? It's a question worth asking.

[@andrewdean7917]

Damian Lovelock now Chris Bailey ! When T F did this happen? I watched this guy down a whole bottle of scotch on stage one night at the Chatswood Charles Hotel 78 /79.

[@benrankins4446]

I know it’s sad. All of these legends are leaving us far too early.

[@chestermiller1768]

I saw saints in 87.I think all fools day is a great lp,not quite as good as 1st 3.

[@benrankins4446]

That’s so cool. I’m a fan of all fools day too. Cheers….Ben