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Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story

Sam Fender goes in search of his hero - Alan Hull of Lindisfarne. Hull wrote hit songs such as Lady Eleanor and Fog on the Tyne. With contributions from Sting, Elvis Costello and Dave Stewart.

Brit Award winner Sam Fender goes in search of a musical hero from another era - the late, great, Alan Hull of Lindisfarne. Sam is amazed how few people, outside of his native north east, know much about his hero’s work. He’s now on a mission to win back Hull’s place in music history.

In this film, he traces the career of the man whose words and music put Newcastle and supergroup Lindisfarne on the musical map in the 1970s. Alan continued to write classic songs until his early death in 1995. He spoke of love and life, championed the underdog and the misunderstood, and celebrated working-class people and his hometown - both of which he loved with a passion. Alan lived and wrote through turbulent times - writing eloquently about the troubles in Northern Ireland, the Falklands War and the miners’ strike.

Sam digs out great archive interviews, performances and unseen footage, and meets friends, family and bandmates who knew Alan Hull best. Sam also hears from top stars like Sting, Elvis Costello, Mark Knopfler, Dave Stewart and Peter Gabriel. All were huge fans of songs such as Lady Eleanor, Fog on the Tyne, Winter Song, Clear White Light and Run For ±«Óãtv. But he also finds that Alan inspired an entire new generation of musicians like Kay Greyson: a young rapper from Tyneside. To his surprise, Sam discovers ‘Hully’ also took the lead role in an acclaimed ±«Óãtv TV primetime drama. He reveals a complex man - a political animal, a drinker and an agitator, beset by his own insecurities but someone who could break hearts and inspire minds with his lyrics and melodies.

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 9 Aug 2022 22:40
±«Óãtv One North East & Cumbria & North East & Cumbria HD only

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:02

    Lindisfarne

    Lady Eleanor

  • 00:04

    Lindisfarne

    Fog On The Tyne

  • 00:06

    The Chosen Few

    So Much To Look Forward To

  • 00:06

    Lindisfarne

    Hungry Crack

  • 00:07

    Lindisfarne

    Country Gentleman's Wife

  • 00:07

    Lindisfarne

    Country Gentleman's Wife

  • 00:08

    We Can Swing Together

    We Can Swing Together

  • 00:09

    Alan Hull

    The Money Game

  • 00:10

    Alan Hull

    Std 0632

  • 00:11

    Johnny Kidd and the Pirates

    Please Don't Touch

  • 00:11

    Jimi Hendrix

    Purple Haze

  • 00:11

    Jimi Hendrix

    Purple Haze

  • 00:12

    Dusty Springfield

    I Only Want To Be With You

  • 00:12

    Alan Hull

    A Walk In The Sea

  • 00:15

    Lindisfarne

    Clear White Light (Part 2)

  • 00:17

    Lindisfarne

    Lady Eleanor

  • 00:20

    Genesis

    The Knife

  • 00:21

    Lindisfarne

    Alright On The Night

  • 00:21

    Lindisfarne

    City Song

  • 00:22

    Lindisfarne

    Meet Me On The Corner

  • 00:23

    Lindisfarne

    January Song

  • 00:24

    Lindisfarne

    Fog On The Tyne

  • 00:27

    Lindisfarne

    Dingly Dell

  • 00:27

    Lindisfarne

    All Fall Down

  • 00:27

    Elvis Costello

    Tramp The Dirt Down

  • 00:28

    Lindisfarne

    Wake Up Little Sister

  • 00:29

    Lindisfarne

    Court in the Act

  • 00:30

    Alan Hull

    Numbers (Travelling Band)

  • 00:30

    Alan Hull

    I Hate To See You Cry

  • 00:38

    Lindisfarne

    Run For ±«Óãtv

  • 00:39

    Lindisfarne

    One Hundred Miles To Liverpool

  • 00:40

    Lindisfarne

    Heroes

Credits

Presenter Sam Fender
Participant Sting
Participant Elvis Costello
Participant Mark Knopfler
Participant Dave Stewart
Participant Peter Gabriel
Executive Producer Tony Parker
Executive Producer Geoff Wonfor
Executive Producer Malcolm Gerrie
Producer Ged Clarke
Director Ged Clarke

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