The Complete Biography

1982

Ricky Ross, a former youth club leader and teacher joins Woza, a local band in Glasgow providing keyboards and vocals, while continuing to work part time as a teacher for children with behavioural difficulties in the Maryhill district. The band remain together for a year supporting bands like "Friends Again" and the "Waterboys" throughout the region.

1983

Now solo Ricky concentrates on his writing and records his efforts under the title "So Long Ago". The album was to feature eventual Deacon Blue bass player Ewen Vernal and also Ricky's first and then wife Zara.

The album was recorded on a small local independent label "Sticky Music" and around 800 cassettes were produced. Ricky sent a copy of "So Long Ago" to London based publishers, only to be told he should form a band. Forming a band was not central to Ricky's idea's at this stage, he firstly wanted to be a house songwriter allowing other artists to records his songs. But he later agreed that he should showcase his own material.

1985

Forming a band suddenly became a focal point for Ricky and 1985 saw the first incarnation of Deacon Blue who took their name from a song on the Steely Dan album "Aja". There were several line up changes during this period but a stable five piece unit was eventually formed with Douglas Vipond on drums, James Prime on keyboards, Graeme Kelling on guitar and Ewen Vernal returning to Ricky''s side on bass. They experimented with backing vocals during their live sets and soon felt that a female vocal added a new perspective to the overall sound of the band. Carol Moore was replaced by Lorraine McIntosh who's amazing vocal talents and frenetic stage presence lit up their entire set.

1986

Deacon Blue embark on a whole succession of local gigs, honing their material and stage presentation. After rejection from every other record label they finally had interest from Gordon Charlton of CBS records. He was in Glasgow to see another band, and during his time there he heard a demo tape which the band had made. He was immediately impressed, particularly by the song "Dignity". Charlton persuades Muff Winwood CBS head of A&R to see the band at a showcase in Glasgow.

August The band sign to CBS and, by the autumn are supporting "Sandie Shaw" and " Lone Justice" on a series of University gigs in the north of England and Scotland.

December The band started recording their debut LP at AIR studios in London. Jon Kelly was recruited to produce the record.

1987

February Recording is completed and the band prepare for an extensive tour of British clubs and colleges.

March Their debut single "Dignity" is released amid constant UK touring. Sadly it fails to chart

April The band make their first Television appearance on TV-am's "Wide Awake" programme.

May Saw the release of their debut album "Raintown". The album deservedly meets with favourable reviews. The album is released with a "No Risk!" policy where fans may return the album if unsatisfied. A few discs were returned but on the whole, response was good.

The band play a further 11 dates, part of a plan to build a committed live audience. By the end of 1987 Deacon Blue will have played 90 shows.

June "Loaded" the bands second single is released, And again fails to chart. The band continue their live schedule with support gigs with "Bruce Hornsby" at the Hammersmith Odeon and "Ben E King" at the Birmingham hippodrome and Manchester Palace. On the 29th the band play their first European show in Dan Haag Holland followed by a live TV show in Munich.

August The bands third single "When Will You Make My Telephone Ring" is released. Constant live work establishes a base audience and the single makes the lower reaches of the UK chart.

September The band begin their first European tour with dates in Germany and Holland. On arrival back home the band immediately embark on another British tour.

November "Dignity" is re-recorded with American producer Bob Clearmountain. They resume their live work with further dates in Scotland.

1988

January The new version of "Dignity" is released, it eventually reaches number 31.At the end of the month the band return to Europe for shows in Italy and Spain.

February "Raintown" is re-released this time packaged as a double album featuring "Riches" an 11 track compilation of B-sides and live tracks. Something of a smack in the face for the fans who had already bought the album last may, but nevertheless the album limited to 20,000 copies sells out immediately. Thus placing the album at number 14 in the UK chart.

March "When Will You Make My Telephone Ring" is also re-released finally reaching number 34.The band then embark on yet another UK tour.

April The band play two nights at the Glasgow Barrowlands 2nd/3rd ,the first night is recorded for radio broadcast. They also begin work on their second album.

May Michael Brauer remixes "Chocolate Girl" "The Very Thing" and "Love's Great Fears" one of which is to be picked as the bands sixth single release.

July "Chocolate Girl" is chosen to be released and reaches number 43.

August The band play festival dates in Inverness, Lorient and Reading. The latter being one of their worst gigs as hostility from the Reading crowd results in the band leaving the stage after just one song. They also play the Meadowbank CND Festival in Edinburgh (6th) campaigning for a Nuclear free Scotland.

October "Real Gone Kid" is released as a prelude to the new album. The single is a huge radio hit peaking at number 8 in the UK chart. The band also embark on 15 date UK theatre tour.

November The band return to the Studio to complete work on their new album.

1989

February "Wages Day" is released as a new single it reaches number 18 in the UK. "Real Gone Kid" is nominated for a Brit award for best British single but is beaten by a past Deacon Blue support group "Fairground Attraction" with their single "Perfect".

April "When The World Knows Your Name" is released the album enters the UK chart at number 1,knocking Madonna's "Like A Prayer" off the top spot. The band play an anti poll tax show at the Usher Hall Edinburgh on April 1st and two benefit gigs for the Lockerbie aircrash disaster fund at Dam Park Hall in Ayr on the 27th and 28th.

May "Fergus Sings The Blues" is released it reaches number 14 in the UK chart. The band also start a major UK tour, the 22 date tour completely sells out.

June Deacon Blue begin their first Australian tour in Perth on July 4th. It continues with shows in Fremantle, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane a total of 14 concerts.

August From Australia the band fly to San Francisco to make their American debut. The north American schedule includes dates through to the autumn, with shows in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle and Toronto.

September "Love And Regret" is released and despite being denied a place on the BBC Radio 1 play list the single reaches number 28 in the UK chart. The video is shot in Los Angeles by Andrew Catlin

December The band return to the UK for a 13 date tour which includes two further nights at the Glasgow S.E.C.C. on the 9th and 10th.Both shows are recorded for release as a long form video the following autumn. They also play a show at the Birmingham N.E.C. (16th) followed by two nights at the Wembley Arena (17th/18th).The tour ends with two shows at Glasgow Barrowlands (22nd/23rd).The first gig was a charity gig for the Glasgow "Cash for kids" campaign. Ticket sales are phenomenal the S.E.C.C. shows are the venue's fastest selling event with 20,000 tickets sold in one day.

"Queen Of The New Year" is released on the 27th, finally reaching number 21 early the following year.

1990

April The band play five European dates in Italy, France and Spain.

May Deacon Blue play "Imagine" the John Lennon tribute at pier head Liverpool on the 5th.The show is televised to a worldwide audience as the band perform "A Hard Days Night"

Ricky and Lorraine get married on May 12th at a register office near Glasgow before a luxury reception at the Loch Lomond Castle Hotel which overlooks the famous loch.

June The band headline "The Big Day" on June 3rd,The biggest free concert in Britain held on Glasgow green in front of an estimated 250,000 people. The show is filmed for broadcast on Channel 4.The show was to celebrate Glasgow being awarded the title of "City Of Culture 1990".During the show a highly charged Ricky Ross made a angry attack at the British government, as he dedicated "Orphans" to the unemployed miners.

The band play the Glastonbury festival on the 24th,and the Roskilde festival In Denmark.

July The band play "A Day For Scotland" a day long festival directly beneath Stirling Castle on July 14th

August Deacon Blue release "Four Bacharach And David songs" a collection of 4 covers. The band decided to do this just for fun, and even though they never promoted the single it rocketed to number 2 in the UK charts. Their biggest hit single was kept off the number one spot by a children's TV presenter Timmy Mallet with his group "Bomballarena" and their cover of "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny"

September "Ooh Las Vegas" is released, the 23 track double album of b-sides and sessions keeps fans happy as the album reaches number 3 in the UK.However the press saw this as a blatant attempt to cash in on the bands rising popularity. In a later interview Ricky said that he felt the release of the album was the bands biggest mistake. He wanted the album to just be released quietly, "but with a major record company like CBS behind you it's not that simple".

The bands first long form video is released,"The Big Picture" a 90 minute video of their two gigs from the Glasgow S.E.C.C. December 9th/10th '89

The band embark on British and European tour playing large arenas in the UK.With shows at the Aberdeen AEC 4th/5th,Birmingham NEC 7th/8th/14th and the Wembley Arena 10th/11th/13th.For this tour the band are augmented by a brass section called 'The Kick Horns' aka , Tim Sanders , Simon Clarke and Roddy Lorimer.

October The band play the final dates of the year with shows in Holland, Germany and Spain.

November The band return to Glasgow after a tour that they had began to loathe. The intimacy of their set was being lost in the large arena's. The band decided that their next major tour would be in smaller theatre venues, allowing for better band/audience communication and of course superior sound production.

1991

January The band contribute a song "Christmas And Glasgow" to a compilation album called "The Tree And The Bird And The Fish And The Bell" proceeds from the album go to the Oscar Marzaroli trust. Marzaroli was a Scottish Italian photographer whose work formed a personal record of post war Scotland. His work was used by the band and he also shot the band. Ricky Ross is a trustee of the organisation created to preserve Oscars work. The album of Glasgow artists also features "Hue & Cry" "Texas" and "Lloyd Cole" Ricky also a produced the track "The Glasgow Barrowlands" performed by Eddi Reader.

The band reunite with producer Jon Kelly to record their third studio album "Fellow Hoodlums". The sessions are at the Guillaume Tell studios in Paris. Ross and Prime return to Glasgow to play at the Launch of "The Tree And The Bird And The Fish And The Bell" at the Renfrew Ferry Gallery on January 21st.

March The band appear as themselves in William McIlvanney's BBC TV play "Dreaming". The play focuses on the life of a young Glasgow boy who dreams of being a rock star and perfoming with Deacon Blue. The band perform four songs written by McIlvanney and Ross. The tracks are featured on "Ooh Las Vegas"

Michael Bauer begins mixing "Fellow Hoodlums in New York.

May "Your Swaying Arms" is released as the first single from "Fellow Hoodlums" the single reaches number 21 in the UK chart. The album is released with a party in Glasgow on May 30th,the band play an impromptu set featuring songs from" Fellow Hoodlums"

June "Fellow Hoodlums" is released on the 3rd, the following week it enters the chart at number 2.

July "Twist And Shout" is released the single is a hit reaching number 10 in the UK chart.

August The band visit Poland for the first time, part of summer long tour of Europe which includes dates in Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Iceland and Scandinavia.

September "Closing Time" is released as a single it reaches number 42 in the UK chart

November The band prepare for their sell-out UK tour which see's the band return to more intimate theatres. After a gig in Dublin the tour opens in Belfast before returning to the mainland for two night at the Edinburgh Playhouse. For the Fellow Hoodlums tour the band enlisted the help of violinist Anne Wood who played with them throughout the tour.

December "Cover From The Sky" is released as the final single from "Fellow Hoodlums". It reaches number 31 in the UK chart. The tour continues with shows in Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, Bristol and three nights at London's Hammersmith Odeon. After a break for Christmas the tour ends with four nights at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The fourth and final night on new years eve is broadcast on BBC Radio 1.

1992

February Preparations begin for recording the bands fourth studio album, to be produced by the "Perfecto" team of Steve Osbourne and Paul Oakenfold.

March Recording begins at Air studios in central London.

April Deacon Blue break from recording to play the Drumbeat concert, a benefit show at Glasgow's Royal Concert hall on April 3rd.The concert is the brainchild of Ricky Ross, its objective is to raise funds to build and equip a recording and rehearsal studio in Glasgow's Drumchapel, an area of high youth unemployment with few community facilities. Deacon Blue augmented by the Kickhorns (Brass section) play house band to guest vocalists such as Pat Cane, Michael Marra and Lulu. Both Ricky and Lorraine had solo sets in the show while adding backing vocals for the other artists.

May Recording continues at the Manor Studios in Oxfordshire. In Glasgow meanwhile, the prestigious Kelvingrove art gallery mounts an exhibition called "Fellow Travellers" from the visual elements of the "Fellow Hoodlums" campaign.

June The final album tracks are recorded at the Outside studios in Berkshire.

August Osbourne and Oakenfold begin mixing tracks at Eden studios in London.

October The 12" dance mix of "Your Town" (the perfecto mix) is distributed to club DJ's and specialist retail outlets. It immediately enters the dance chart. Paul Oakenfold uses the track to open his set at the Ministry Of Sound London.

November "Your Town" is released, it enters the chart at number 14.The highest new entry in the bands career.

1993

February "Will We Be Lovers" is released as a prelude to the new album and tour. It reaches number 21

March The new album "Whatever You Say, Say Nothing" is released it reaches number 4 in the UK chart.

April Deacon Blue launch their "In Your Town Tour". The new single "Only Tender Love" is released on the 13th.

May The tour continues with the band playing their first dates in Japan. These shows are followed by European dates in Spain,France,Germany and Holland.

July "Hang Your Head" the fourth and final single from the album is released, it reaches number 21.

September The band start writing and demoing new songs in Glasgow for inclusion on their forthcoming greatest hits album.

October The first of three new songs is recorded in London with producer Steve Osbourne.The track is called "I Was Right And You Were Wrong"

December Back to the studio, this time with producer Chris Kimsey, well known for his work with the Rolling Stones. They record "Bound To Love" and "In The Mood" "Bound To Love is then remixed by Dave Bascombe.

1994

January Their Greatest Hits Tour is announced, the 20 date tour kicks off on April 19th at the Belfast Usher Hall

March "I Was Right And You Were Wrong" is released on March 21st it reaches number 32 in the UK chart.

April "Our Town The Greatest Hits" is released, it debuts at number 2 but later takes the top spot. The band make the shock announcement that they will disband at the end of their current tour. The tour ends in Dundee on the 18th but the band play two emotional nights at the Glasgow Barrowlands to end their career in front of their home crowd.

May The tour ends in Dundee on the 18th but the band play two emotional nights at the Glasgow Barrowlands (19th / 20th) to end their career in front of their home crowd. Dignity is re-released by Columbia

1995

April Ricky flies to Los Angeles to begin work on his first post Deacon Blue solo album. Ricky is now signed to Sony's American company EPIC among such illustrious company as Michael Jackson. Ricky works with the Robb brothers whose past credits include Steely Dan, Buffalo Tom and The Lemonheads.

October Recording is completed and the record is ready for mixing.

December The Dundee Reportary Theatre stages a new play "On The Line". The play told the story of the long running and bitter dispute at the Timex factory in Dundee. Ricky Ross wrote the songs and music from the play and later released a version of the title track on his second solo album "New Recording".

1996

January Sean Slade and Paul Q Kolderie begin mixing Ricky's new album at Fort Apache studios in Massachusetts.

April Ricky's first single "Radio On" is released as a prelude to the forthcoming album "What You Are" .It charts in the U.K. at number 35.

June Ricky plays 3 shows at King Tuts in Glasgow on the 4th,5th and 6th the latter being on the release day of "What You Are". Ricky also plays the Fleadh festival in London's Finsbury Park on the 8th plus a date at the Mean Fiddler London on the 11th.

July Ricky plays the Tarlair music festival in Aberdeenshire on the 6th plus major support slots with Bryan Adams at Wembley stadium London and Ibrox stadium Glasgow. Plus one show with Bon Jovi at Manchester City's Maine Road.

Ricky's second single "Good Evening Philadelphia" is released on the 29th peaking at number 58.Dates are announced for his forthcoming UK tour due to commence on October 3rd.

October Fans are left disappointed when Ricky's 12 date UK tour is cancelled due to poor ticket sales.

1997

January Ricky is alleged to be returning to the studio to record a new song for a possible re release of "What You Are" after poor sales from the initial release.

February Ricky parts company with Sony after ten years on fairly amicable terms. Sony/EPIC are disappointed with the sales of "What You Are" and the two singles from the album.

A new Deacon Blue compilation is released shortly after. "Riches And More" a 14 track compilation of the "Riches" album originally released as a limited edition bonus album with "Raintown" in 1988.Plus the 4 tracks from the "Four Bacharach And David Songs" EP from 1990.The band had no input for the project and the album was generally seen as a money spinner for Sony by fans and critics alike.

May Ricky has began work on his latest solo project and showcased some of his new material at two solo acoustic gigs at the Glasgow Tramway 19th and 20th .

June Another solo gig this time at Stirling Castle on the 5th.

August Ricky plays two more shows, East Kilbride Arts Centre 16th and Edinburgh Palladium 20th

September Ricky plays support for "Wet Wet Wet" at Celtic Park on the 7th

October Ricky's second solo album is released on the 6th ."New Recording" released on Ricky's own label "Internazionale" was written, recorded and produced by Ricky with assistance from Paul Mcgeechan. The album is of a quiet introspective nature with all the songs being acoustic guitar or piano based with sampled effects for accompaniment. The album is greeted with mixed reviews with Mojo magazine claiming that "New Recording showcases his most engaging portfolio of songs since Raintown"

A seven date tour commences to promote the release of "New Recording". The tour includes shows in London, Manchester, Belfast and Dublin.

December Ricky concludes 1997 with four dates in Scotland in Irvine, Paisley, Aberdeen and his home town Dundee.

1998

March Ricky begins a 19 date solo tour with Jim Prime and Lorraine McIntosh joining Ricky for shows in Ayr and London. "Undeveloped Heart" is released as a single, though its availability is restricted to gigs and specialist retailers.

April The tour ends with a show at the Kings Lynn Corn Exchange on the 4th.

August Ricky plays 3 shows at the Calders Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh on the 11th,18th and 25th the shows are part of the Edinburgh festival. He also plays the Greenbelt festival on the 29th.

September Ricky plays at the Royal Festival Hall in London (6th) as part of the Victor Jara Benefit. As well as a show a show in Dublin on the 13th.

Rumours are rife that a Deacon Blue reunion is on the way, the rumours proves to be untrue but not totally unfounded as Jim, Dougie, Lorraine and Ricky were indeed playing together again. The reunion was for a charity event at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr to raise money for SMART a new school of music and recording technology to be based in Ayr. The band play one show on the 19th with guest musicians filling in for absentee's Ewen Vernal and Graeme Kelling.

November Lorraine makes her movie debut in the Ken Loach film "My Name Is Joe" the film is set in Glasgow with Lorraine playing a supporting role. The film later went on to win an award at the Cannes Film Festival .Lorraine also appears in an episode of the long running Scottish Police drama "Taggart" and later appeared in two new TV shows, 'Psycho's' and 'Life Support'.

Ricky plays his first European dates since the demise of Deacon Blue with two Spanish shows in Valencia 6th and Madrid 7th. Ricky is joined by Lorraine and guitarist Mick Slaven for both shows.

December Ricky goes to Brazil with Christian Aid to help raise awareness of the plight of the landless.

1999

January Ricky plays two gigs billed as "Ricky Ross and Friends" the friends are Lorraine McIntosh, Jim Prime and Mick Slaven. The shows are at the Edinburgh Assembly Rooms (16th) and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (30th)

March Ricky Ross announces a 17 date solo tour this time with guitarist Mick Slaven joining him for every show.

The news that everybody wanted to hear finally came out, Deacon Blue were to reunite for their first gig in 5 years. The gig at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in May was to be a charity event in aid of the Braendam Family House. Tickets sales were phenomenal with the event selling out in less than 90 minutes. The demand was too great and by the end of March a further two gigs had been arranged for the 1st & 2nd June at the Clyde Auditorium.

April Wednesday 14th, the band are together in the same room for the first time in nearly five years to begin rehearsals for the forthcoming reunion gigs. Ricky's solo tour commences at the South Shields Custom House (23rd).

May Ricky plays his last solo show of the tour at the Bar Cuba Macclesfield (11th). Lorraine plays her first ever gig with her new band "Cub" at King Tuts in Glasgow on the 14th. A second gig followed on the 30th as part of BBC's Music Live Festival.

The band reunite for their first reunion gig at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on the 27th.The gig is a charity event with several acts including a solo set by Ricky Ross before the main event. The gig was recorded by BBC Radio 2 and the highlights were broadcast on Saturday the 5th June.

Ricky, Jim, Lorraine and Mick Slaven play at the "Scotland For Kosova" concert at the Glasgow S.E.C.C. (31st).The event was organised to raise money for the Kosova crisis and featured many stars such as Simple Minds and Midge Ure. The event was also broadcast on BBC Radio.

June The band play two more sell out shows at the Clyde Auditorium (1st & 2nd). Mick Slaven joins Deacon Blue for all three of the reunion gigs.

July Deacon Blue announce a 12 date tour entitled "Walking Back Home" which kicks off on October 7th at the Portsmouth Guildhall. Ticket sales are very good and within a couple of weeks the 12 date tour is extended to 17 dates. The new dates including a second night at the Royal Albert Hall, and dates in Ireland and Scotland.

August Plans are announced for a new Deacon Blue compilation album "Walking Back Home" to be released in October to coincide with the UK tour.

October A warm up gig for the 'Walking Back Home' tour is staged at the 500 capacity Ayr Gaiety Theatre (1st) before the tour kicks off at the Portsmouth Guildhall (7th). The new album "Walking Back Home" is released (11th) peaking at number 39.

November The band record a special 'Evening With' show at the BBC, recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre in London (11th) it saw 5 members of Deacon Blue perform a stripped down acoustic set between telling stories and taking questions from the 300 capacity crowd who won tickets given away on BBC Radio 2.The gig was later broadcast on December 18th on Radio 2.

November also saw the band play in Ricky's home town of Dundee as well as the bands first return to Ireland with a date at the Ulster Hall in Belfast details are also announced for a new single.

December The new Deacon Blue single is cancelled after 'Walking Back Home' slips out of the charts after just three weeks. The band play their final dates of 1999 with shows in Stirling (18th) and Aberdeen (19th).

2000

March Ricky plays four dates with a new line up, billed as 'Ricky Ross and his band' the band included the familiar faces of Ewen Vernal and Mick Slaven. And introduced 'Pearlfishers' drummer James Gash to the fold. The dates were Liverpool (2nd) London (3rd) Macclesfield (4th) and Coventry (5th)

April BBC 1 screens a series of 7 short films entitled 'Easter Tales' starring Helen Baxendale Jonathan Pryce and Eileen Atkins amongst others .The atmospheric instrumental music for the series was provided by Ricky Ross.

May During a radio appearance for BBC Radio 2, Ricky Ross announces that Deacon Blue are currently having talks for a possible new album.

June Ricky Ross signs a new recording contract with Papillon Records, a division of Chrysalis records. It's also officially announced that Deacon Blue will return to the studio before the year is out to record a new album on the Papillon label.

August Recording of Ricky's 3rd solo album begins in Glasgow. Mick Slaven and Jim Gash are once again involved while Davie Scott from The Pearlfishers joins the ranks. Long time Deacon Blue engineer/producer, Kenny Mcdonald is also present.

October Recording is completed and the album is shelved until 2002 while preparations begin for a brand new Deacon Blue album. Recording begins at Park Lane Studios in Glasgow.

The Sunday Times publishes the saddening story that Deacon Blue guitarist Graeme Kelling is fighting cancer. Despite his condition, Graeme continues to record the new Deacon Blue album 'Homesick'.

November Deacon Blue announce plans for a 13 date UK tour to begin May 10th at the Liverpool Royal Court finishing in Glasgow (26th) at the Clyde Auditorium.

BBC Radio 2 broadcast 'Real Gone Kids - The Deacon Blue Story' (18th) the hour long documentary tells the story of Deacon Blue and gives everyone in the band a chance to give their own thoughts on the band, disbanding and the reformation of Deacon Blue.

December Ricky plays "Angel Eye" (17th) a month long event, featuring dozens of acts of all varieties playing in a temporary venue in Edinburgh's Princess Street Gardens.

Ricky Jim and Mick Slaven along with guest musicians play the BBC Scotland 'Hogmanay Live 'programme, previewing 'Homesick' the title track from the forthcoming new Deacon Blue album for the first time on television. The show is co-hosted by Dougie Vipond.

2001

January Recording on the new Deacon Blue album is complete and Ricky heads off to London to mix the album as well as putting the final touches to his own forthcoming solo album.

Ricky and Jim play 2 songs at Borders Bookstore Glasgow (27th) as part of Celtic Connections 2001.The event is broadcast live on BBC Radio 2.

April The first single 'Everytime You Sleep' is released (16th) though with poor promotion and availability the single makes a disappointing chart entry at 63. The new album Homesick gets a special preview hearing at a one off launch party gig at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow (18th), tickets for the invitation only event were given away, via the Daily Telegraph, Virgin Radio and the bands new Official Website which also launched this month.

The band record a live gig for Scottish Television (20th) to be screened as part of a series called 'Boxed Set', the show was aired on July 23rd. The band play a short set before and at half time at the Euro NFL American Football at Hampden park, between the Scottish Claymores & Frankfurt's Galaxy (21st). Before heading to Ireland for a live TV appearance on the Kelly Live show (27th)

The new album Homesick is released (30th) entering the charts at 59.

May The Homesick tour kicks off in Liverpool (10th) as with the bands Walking Back Home tour in 1999, the tour is a sell out. This time around bass player Ewen Vernal decides not to join Deacon Blue on tour, and is replaced by Scott Fraser, and with Graeme's ill health a second guitarist Taj Wyzgowski was recruited. Though Graeme did play every show.

June The 2nd single 'A Is For Astronaut' is released, again amid poor promotion and availability the single fails to chart.

July The band headline the Northampton town festival (20th)

August The band play three more town festivals with shows at Cardiff City Hall (5th) Perth City Hall (17th) and Crathes Castle Aberdeen (18th) .

Deacon Blue announce that they will tour the UK again before the year is out, an 18 date tour of the UK is planned for October / November with the band returning to towns not played for many years such as Newport and Sunderland. The tour will coincide with the release of a new 'Very Best Of' album released by Sony on November 5th.

October The Homesick II tour commences with the opening night in Liverpool (26th) , due to his Television schedule Douglas Vipond does not tour with the band. His place is taken by Davey Stewart who previously played with the band earlier this year. Ewen Vernal also does not tour, due to his commitments with the band Capercaille. Ricky Ross who's next solo album is due for release early 2002, plays as support for the whole tour, giving fans a sneak preview of his new material.

Ricky Ross announces his 17 date solo tour for April / May 2002, in support of his forthcoming solo album 'This Is The Life' .

A Midsummer Nights Dream opens at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre (27th), Ricky Ross writes the soundtrack for the production.

November Sony release a new Deacon Blue hits package 'The Very Best Of Deacon Blue' (5th) the 36 track double CD comprises all the bands hits, favourite album tracks and B sides. Fans had the chance to have their say on track selection via the bands official website.

December The Homesick II tour concludes with two Scottish dates Edinburgh (1st) and Glasgow (3rd). Deacon Blue now disband to concentrate on solo projects, there are no firm plans to work together again, but the door is left open to do so.

Ricky headlines the bill for a benefit gig at 'TheVillage' (Pollok, Glasgow 14th).

2002

January Lorraine takes to the stage appearing in a play entitled "Mums The Word" the play, described as "Six women, six stories, one common thread...A hilarious and intimate look at motherhood" opens on January 30 at the Dundee Rep, and runs through to March, stopping at the Ayr Gaiety and Glasgow Kings theatres.

February Ricky's first official website is launched (1st) www.rickyross.com

March Deacon Blue announce dates for later in the year, including a special event at Ascot racecourse and their first foreign dates since their reformation with 2 nights in Dubai.

April Ricky Ross finally releases his long awaited 3rd solo album This Is The Life (8th). Recorded back in August 2000, the album that features Davie Scott, Mick Slaven, James Gash and Scott Fraser amongst other guest musicians is Ricky's best work for many years and receives favourable reviews.

Ricky sets out on a 19 date UK tour beginning at the Ayr Gaiety theatre (13th) and concluding with a festival date at the Maydaze event on Glasgow Green (5th May). This time around he is joined on stage by Davie Scott and Mick Slaven.

May Deacon Blue play their first gigs of the year playing 2 nights in Dubai, Abu Dhabi (9th) and Irish Village (10th)

Ricky continues to travel, this time returning to Japan, the first time since 1993, to play three special gigs (19th, 20th, 21st) with Boo Hewerdine (The Bible) and Gary Clark (Danny Wilson) each night taking it in turns to headline at the Star Pines Cafe in Tokyo.

June Ricky and his full band play a short set for the BBC Music Live Festival at Callander Park Falkirk (3rd). The event is televised on BBC Scotland. Deacon Blue continue to play sporadic live dates with dates in Guernsey (14th), Jersey (15th) and Ascot Racecourse (29th).

August Ricky plays 3 more festival dates Richmond Live (3rd) Spin 2002 Paisley (10th) and Greenbelt, Cheltenham (24th) before finishing August with a triumphant homecoming gig at Glasgow's King Tuts Wah Wah Hut (30th).

Deacon Blue play the Earth Music Festival in Derry (17th) playing support for Van Morrison and the Waterboys.

Welsh singer songwriter Martyn Joseph releases a charity EP 'Till The End'. The EP is in aid of MST the Brazilian movement to help the landless. Ricky Ross visited Brazil and observed the work of MST in 1998 and donated a new track to the EP 'I Just Want To Be Loved'. The EP is released by Pipe Records and launched at the Greenbelt Festival (24th).

October Ricky plays 2 more gigs Wolverhampton (9th) and a return to the London Jazz Cafe (10th)

November Ricky plays a charity gig for the STUC Centre in Glasgow, the event is in aid of the people of Palestine. (30th)

December Ricky continues to write and record while ITV broadcast 'The Lucky Ones' a screenplay by Jonathan Harvey that Ricky was commissioned to write the music for.

Lorraine also continues her acting career with a one off appearance in 'Taggart' and landing a large role in a new Scottish soap opera on BBC Scotland 'River City'.

2003

January Ricky plays a one off concert at Glasgow Cathedral (24th).

Throughout 2003 Lorraine concentrates on acting, continuing her role as 'Alice Henderson' in the BBC Scotland soap 'River City'. While landing other small TV parts and appearing in her 2nd movie 'Wilbur Wants To Kill Himself' due for release in 2004.

March Deacon Blue are asked to open a new concert venue in Glasgow, the Carling Glasgow Academy. The show sees Deacon Blue play a special set, playing the whole Raintown album from start to finish for the very first time.

May Deacon Blue headline the 'Fresh Ayr' Festival (10th) as part of the Burns night celebrations.

August Ricky plays support for Runrig at Stirling Castle (23rd), the concert is to celebrate Runrigs 30th anniversary.

September Ricky plays a special concert at St Georges West Church in Edinburgh (27th). He is joined on stage by former bishop of Edinburgh Richard Holloway for an evening of song and conversation.

October This Is The Life (7th) is released in the USA by Instinct records.

November Ricky Ross is given the prestigious honour of singing the Scottish anthem 'Flower Of Scotland' at Hampden Park before kick off of the Euro 2004 Championship play off between Scotland and Holland. The game with a full 70,000+ attendance is also screened worldwide.

December Ricky Ross joins in on the Radio Scotland 25th anniversary celebrations by playing live at a special show broadcast live from Marryat Hall in Dundee (12th). The show also includes performances from the likes of Eddi Reader and Geoff Martyn.

Deacon Blue end the year by playing 3 live dates at Aberdeen Music Hall (29th) Glasgow Academy (30th) and headlining the Hogmanay celebrations at Stirling Castle (31st).

2004

February Ricky plays at Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline (29th) as part of a charity gig for the parents of tragic Alistair Grimason who was killed while on holiday with his mother in Turkey in 2003. Alistair, who was only two years old, was shot through the heart by a stray bullet as he slept in his pram at a Café in Foca.

March Ricky begins work on his next solo record. Once again he is joined by Mick Slaven, Scott Fraser, James Gash with Davie Scott playing and producing the sessions.

May Deacon Blue headline the day long "Big In Falkirk" festival (1st) at Callender Park. Deacon Blue perform again, this time at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (27th) to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Scottish based charity Enable.

Ricky Ross completes recording his next album

June On the 10th June 2004 Deacon Blue fans worldwide were in mourning for the loss of Graeme Kelling. As one of the founding members of Deacon Blue Graeme was a vital part of what Deacon Blue were and key to their success. After a four year battle with pancreatic cancer Graeme finally succumbed to his illness. He died at the Marie Curie Hospice in Glasgow with his family at his bedside. Despite his illness Graeme continued to work and toured with the band for as long as he could. Too ill to continue touring he made his final appearance with Deacon Blue on the 26th March 2003 at the Glasgow Academy when he bravely took to the stage to play "Loves Great Fears" and bring to a close a career with Deacon Blue spanning 18 years.

A book of remembrance was opened by Deacon Blue on their official website and friends and fans from all over the world united to pay tribute to this much loved and much admired quiet man of rock.

August Deacon Blue play their first concert after the loss of Graeme Kelling. The band play a one off show in the Isle Of Man at Villa Marina Royal Hall (28th)

October Deacon Blue return to Dubai to play 3 more sell out shows, Ambassadors Residence Muscat, Oman (6th) Dilmun Club, Bahrain (7th) Nad Al Sheba, UAE (8th)

December Deacon Blue round off the year by returning to the Glasgow Carling Academy. This time around the band play a special set comprising of all the bands singles including a rare performance of I Was Right And You Were Wrong. As well as the singles Deacon Blue played one special new song. Entitled "In The End" the track was dedicated to the late Graeme Kelling. £8000 was raised on the night and donated to the tsunami relief effort.

Ricky's collaboration with young up and coming singer songwriter James Blunt proves fruitful as James ends 2005 with the best selling album of the year. His debut Back To Bedlam sells over 2.5 million copies.

2005

January Ricky donates a previously unreleased track and exclusive concert recording to the Glasgow Skyline Tsunami Relief Fund. The fund ran for 3 months and raised over £5000 for the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.

Ricky plays his first gig of the year, a special show at Glasgow Cathedral (29th). Ricky is joined on stage by Mick Slaven, Davie Scott and guest vocalist Tricia Mcteague. A young singer Ricky has been writing with over the past year.

February Deacon Blue join the bill for the Scottish tsunami relief concert "Tsunami Relief Scotland" (19th). The special show at the Glasgow SECC raised thousands for the relief effort and featured acts such as Idlewild, Texas, Franz Ferdinand, Travis and Eddi Reader.

Ricky plays a one off show at the troubadour in London showcasing some of the new tracks that will feature on his forthcoming album "Pale Rider".

March Ricky along with Davie Scott play two small warm up gigs at the Bein Inn, Perthshire (30th & 31st)

May Pale Rider the new album from Ricky Ross is released (2nd). The album one of Ricky's finest collections of songs yet, is met with positive reviews from fans and critics alike.

Ricky embarks on an extensive 24 date tour across the UK, opening in Irvine (9th) and ending with five nights in Ireland on June 19th.

July Deacon Blue play their first show of the year headlining the Kings Lynn Festival (23rd)

August Ricky plays a short set at Oram Mor (2nd) in benefit of the Scottish Association for Mental Heath.

Three more festival dates follow with Ricky Ross playing the Tartan Heart Festival in Invernesshire (13th) and once again returning to Greenbelt (28th) whilst Deacon Blue headline the Mull Of Kintyre Festival (20th).

December Deacon Blue end the year with their almost annual hogmanay gig, this time they join the bill for the Glasgow St Georges square celebrations alongside fellow Scots Hue & Cry and headliners Athlete (31st).

2006

February Deacon Blue celebrate their 20th anniversary, to mark the event Raintown is re-released as a 2CD digital remaster entitled "The Legacy Edition". As well as being fully remastered the second CD would bring together archive live footage and demo's from the Raintown Sessions.

To launch the release the band play a one off gig and London's La Scala (23rd) before the album hit's the shelves on the (28th). at La Scala Deacon Blue play the entire Raintown album from start to finish.

March The band return to the studio in Glasgow to record four new tracks for inclusion on a new compilation album "Singles" due for release later in the year.

July Deacon Blue embark on a short run of summer festivals playing The Big Weekend in Galashiels (1st) , Summer Pops Liverpool (4th)  and The Cornbury Music Festival (8th).

September Ricky plays a one off solo show at the Citizens Theatre Glasgow (9th) he is joined on stage by Ewen Vernal, it's the first time Ewen has joined Ricky since 2000.

The new compilation "Singles" is released preceded by the new single "Bigger Than Dynamite", The album is backed by a TV advertising campaign as well a several high profile TV and Radio appearances. Whilst the single fails to chart. the album peaks at number 18 in the UK, the highest chart position Deacon Blue had achieved since Our Town in 1994. The new compilation featured 3 of the 4 new songs Deacon Blue recorded earlier in the year "Bigger Than Dynamite" "Haunted" and "The One About Loneliness".

The bands 1990 long form video release "The Big Picture" is also re-released on DVD along with the promo video's from all of Deacon Blue's singles. The release is entitled "The Bigger Picture.

November Deacon Blue are invited to Bowhouse prison in Kilmarnock (3rd) to play an event called "Jailhouse Rock". The event was to reward high achieving inmates and served as a good warm up show for Deacon Blue's UK tour which began two days later at Cambridge Corn Exchange. The 17 date tour takes Deacon Blue all around the UK and included a welcome return to Ireland playing the Dublin Helix 19th. The tour ends at Liverpool Empire (26th). 

The tour is recorded by Concert Live and each show is available to purchase directly after the show as a 2CD digipack. Due to legal reasons the new songs from "Singles" are omitted from the live CD's.

Two further dates are planned before the year is out with Deacon Blue playing the Rock Against Racism event at Glasgow ABC  (30th). Before making plans to headline Stirling's Hogmanay festivities.

December Due to bad weather the Stirling Hogmanay show was cancelled.

2007

May Deacon Blue play their first shows of the year with two more summer festivals, Ayr Racecourse (26th) and Peel Bay, Isle Of Man (27th)

July Another festival and a return to the Summer Pops in Liverpool (5th)

August Two final festival shows follow with a return to Ireland to play the World Fleadh (11th) and a visit to Humberside to play Humberfest (24th)

Ricky takes to the road solo to play two shows, showcasing some new material at Milton Keynes Stables (26th) and Leicester Cathedral (27th)

September Two more solo shows for Ricky this time as part of the opening of the Pacific Quay studios, the new 72 million pound home of BBC Scotland. Ricky plays two short sets on the 12th and 14th with the first being aired on BBC Radio Scotland.

November Deacon Blue take to the road again for a 17 date UK tour. Concert Live are once again on board but this time only recording 4 of the 17 dates. The final concert of the year at London’s Hammersmith Apollo (25th) was to be the final appearances with the band by Scott Fraser on bass and Taj Wyzgowski on guitars and harmony vocals. Both of the departing members had toured with the band since the first UK tour in support of Homesick in the spring of 2001.

2008

February Ricky returns to Ireland to play a solo show at Belfast Kings Head 20th. The show is a warm up for a special "In The Round" style show 3 days later at Belfast Black Box. Ricky is joined by Swedish songwriter Tobias Froberg and American songwriter Kevin Gordon.

June A brand new live album and DVD is released "Deacon Blue Live". Recorded at their Ediburgh Playhouse show in November 2007. 

July Deacon Blue hit the road again playing Perth Concert Hall (4th) The Sage, Gateshead (6th) before another return to Liverpool Summer Pops a show fast becoming a favourite of the bands.

November Deacon Blue are invited to play support for Simple Minds who would be celebrating their 30th Anniversary. The shows see Deacon Blue returning to the arena stage playing the likes of Birmingham NEC and Wembley arena for the first time since 1990.

December The band play two Glasgow shows of their own between their final date with Simple Minds in Belfast on the 6th. They play the Carling Academy (5th) and the Royal Concert Hall (7th).

They bring 2008 at Stirling Castle headlining the Hogmanay celebrations.

2009

In early 2009 Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh begin a new project entitled McIntosh Ross. The pair write and record an album together for the first time in their careers. Recording takes place in Los Angeles and Glasgow with a host of session musicians.

May Cooking Vinyl release a press release announcing McIntosh Ross have signed to their label.

Ricky and Lorraine take a break from recording to play four dates in Scotland with Deacon Blue. Two nights in the Highlands at Strathpeffer Spa Pavillion (24th & 25th) are followed by two nights in Montrose playing the Town Hall (28th & 29th)

July Deacon Blue's love affair with Liverpool Summer Pops continues as they return for their 3rd appearance at the annual event (31st).

September Mcintosh Ross release their debut album "The Great Lakes" (28th). A departure from the sound they are best known for, The Great Lakes saw Ricky and Lorraine touching the sounds of Americana, Folk and Country. Lorraine is cast to the forefront taking lead vocal on many tracks whilst adding writing credits to much of the album.

November McIntosh Ross hit the road playing small venues across the UK. Over nine dates they peform their album, a few new songs and just three Deacon Blue songs. The tour which began at Melrose Corn Exchange (3rd) finished in London at Cadogan Hall (14th).

Deacon Blue return to the Glasgow SECC (28th) to play a short set as part of The Final Fling, the Finale of Homecoming Scotland Live 2009. 

Homecoming Scotland 2009 was a series of events designed to attract people of Scottish ancestry to visit Scotland. The campaign was organised by EventScotland and VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, and part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

The following night (29th) McIntosh Ross perfom at a special show at Edinburgh Usher Hall. Backed by the Scottish Symphony Orchestra as part of the History Of Scotland celebrations. They are joined on the  bill by Eddi Reader and God Help The Girl.

December Deacon Blue play two shows in Ireland at the Royal Theatre Castlebar (28th) and Kilarney INEC (29th) before returning to Glasgow go play the George Square Hogmanay celebrations.

2010

Ricky begins demoing songs for the next Deacon Blue album and his publisher’s website includes information on a 10 song “Deacon Blue demo” recorded that year. Most of the recording, and some of the writing, was done with the help of Gregor Philp and also at times, with Lorraine. The process of writing and recording the demos would last for over a year.

June Mcintosh Ross play the Glastonbury Festival (25th) the first time Ricky and Lorraine have played the world renowned event since Deacon Blue headlined in 1990.

The second and final gig of the year came the day after with another festival date as McIntosh Ross played the Solas Festival in Biggar south Lanarkshire (26th).

2011

June Deacon Blue play a warm up show at York Opera house as preparation for their summer festival tour (24th) The following day they head down to Glastonbury where they would be headlining the acoustic tent. Their full band performance goes down a storm.

July Deacon Blue continue the festival run with three further shows, taking in the Cornbury Festival (2nd) Greenock Tall Ships Festival (11th) and yet another return the the Liverpool Summer Pops (29th).

August The final festival show of the year see's the band play the Belladrum, Tartan Heart Festival near Inverness. Most of their set is recorded and broadcast on Televison by BBC Alba. This show is the last gig for Mick Slaven who has been touring with Deacon Blue since 1999. He leaves on good terms to concentrate on other projects.

Ricky Ross plays a solo show at the Gardyne Theatre, Dundee (24th). This was a special show to mark the opening of the new theatre at Dundee College.

Three days later Ricky plays the St Andrew Society Of Russia Summer Stramesh at Presna Park Moscow (27th).

September Ricky plays benefit gig at the Oran Mor (25th) for the Islamic Relief Scotland and Christian Aid and is joined on stage by Davey Scott and fellow Pearlfisher Jamie Gash, and also Ricky’s daughter Georgia and the Gospel Truth Choir.

November The final show of the year see's Ricky play another solo show, this time at Ceol Craic in Glasgow (19th), the final three songs are backed by the Gaelic Gospel Choir.

2012

March Deacon Blue hit the rehearsal room (8th) in preparation for recording their new album. Recording begins at a new state of the art studio in Glasgow, Gorbals Sound (18th) with producer Paul Savage.

April Deacon Blue announce a 15 date UK tour to promote their forthcoming album The Hipsters. Mixing begins on the (12th) and is finished on the (24th).

June Mastering is completed on The Hipsters album (15th).

Ricky plays a solo show at the Solas Festival in Bigga, South Lanarkshire (23rd).

'Whatever Gets You Through The Night' an ambitious new multi-disciplinary live event featuring actors, visuals by Kim Beveridge, aerial work, new writing by some of Scotland’s top novelists, poets and playwrights, and a whole album’s worth of original music by acclaimed Scottish musicians, premieres at the Arches in Glasgow. Ricky contributed the song 'The North Star' and performed it live at the event.

August DJ Mike releases the viral release of 'Real Stoned Kid' a slowed down cover of 'Real Gone Kid' featuring the original lead vocals. The unofficial release is met with support by the band and features on their facebook page.

The band hit the rehearsal room again in preparation for the forthcoming tour and premiere some of the new material live on BBC Radio 2 for a special appearance on the Edith Bowman show (24th).

September Deacon Blue play their first gig of the year, a special hour long performance for BBC Radio 2, recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre, London (20th). As well as previewing many tracks from the new album, the show was also a look back at the classic Deacon Blue album 'When The World Knows Your Name' playing much of the album.

The Hipsters single is released as a download only radio single (23rd) followed by the album The Hipsters the following day (24th).

The album is a great success and enters the UK chart at number 19 whilst making the top 10 on the itunes chart and the independent chart.

October Deacon Blue begin their UK tour kicking off at Dundee Caird Hall (4th) and finishing at London Roundhouse (22nd).

More exciting releases for Deacon Blue fans, as the entire Deacon Blue back catalogue is remastered and re-issued as deluxe casebound book editions by Edsel Records. Featuring liner notes by Ricky Ross and personal photographs from the bands own collection. The releases see all of the bands output released on CD for the very first time across six releases. The first three hit the shelves on the (22nd) with the last three released on the (29th).

November The second single from The Hipsters, The Outsiders is released (19th) again only as a digital download for radio promotion purposes.

Deacon Blue are awarded 'The Ticketmaster Landmark Achievement Award' at the Tartan Clef awards (17th).

December Deacon Blue play their final dates of the year with two Christmas shows, Perth Concert Hall (11th) and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (13th).

The band make two demo tracks from The Hipsters available to download as a Charity single to raise funds for a sensory room at Howford Primary School in Glasgow.

Ricky Ross announces a UK tour begining April 2013 to coincide with the release of his latest solo album 'Trouble Came Looking'.

2013

January 'That's What We Can Do' is released as a download only radio single (7th) Deacon Blue play the "Big Burns Supper" in Dumfries (26th)

March Turn becomes the 4th and final single to be released (25th) from The Hipsters. The track is remixed by Ash Howes and receives attention from Take That's Gary Barlow on Twitter, declaring his "love" for the song.

Deacon Blue are invited to play the acoustic tent at Oran Mor, Glasgow by Smooth FM (26th).

April Ricky Ross releases "Trouble Came Looking" his 6th solo album, recorded entirely at Ricky's house with Gregor Philp. The pair take to the road playing 14 dates opening in Milton Keynes (15th) as part of the "Untold Stories" tour.

May Ricky and Gregor play the final 3 dates of the the tour with 3 Scottish dates ending at Stirling Tolbooth (4th).

June Ricky and Gregor play a further 4 shows including a night at Dundee High School (27th) before playing the Acoustic Tent at the Glastonbury Festival (29th).

BBC Alba broadcast "Ricky Ross Untold Stories" an hour long special following Ricky and Gregor on tour (8th).

July Deacon Blue play the main stage at T In The Park (13th) highlights from their appearance are broadcast on the BBC.

August Festival season continues with appearances at Car Fest Oulton Park (3rd), and playing both days of the V Festival Chelmsford (17th) and Stafford (18th).

Following on from the 2012 Edsel Records deluxe and expanded album re-issues. Edsel Records re-release Raintown, When The World Knows Your Name and The Hipsters on limited edition 180 gram coloured vinyl.

September Deacon Blue begin the firt leg of their UK tour opening in front of their home crowd at King Tut's (6th) playing a further 10 dates througout the UK finishing in Belfast (19th).

December Deacon Blue begin the 2nd leg of their UK tour opening at the Brighton Centre (1st) before playing a further 12dates in theatres across the UK and 2 arena dates at the Liverpool Echo, and the newly built Glasgow Hydro.

Deacon Blue release their first ever Christmas single (15th) You'll Know It's Christmas.

2014

May Ricky & Lorraine play a benefit gig for the Andrea Kearney fund http://www.andreakearney.org at the Radisson Hotel Glasgow (31st)

June Deacon Blue play their first show of the year at Dalby Forest, North Yorks (28th) as part of the Forestry Commission Live events.

July Deacon Blue announce they are forced to cancel a performance at the Hop Farm Festival (6th), Paddock Wood after Jim Prime is taken ill. Jim is forced to sit out the remaining summer shows whilst he recovers. Brian McAlpine is drafted in to play the rest of the shows.

Deacon Blue play two more summer shows Thetford Forest (13th) and Westonbirt Arboretum (19th)

Deacon Blue release 'A New House' the new single of their forthcoming album of the same name. (28th)

August Deacon Blue have the prestigious honour of playing live at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth games (3rd). Joining the likes of Lulu and Kylie, the Hampden Park spectacular sees the band play to their largest TV audience of their career.

Deacon Blue join a host of Scottish bands such as Simple Minds, Hue And Cry and The Bluebells at Party At The Palace, Linlithgow Palace (9th).

September Deacon Blue release their new album 'A New House'. (8th) preceeded by the 2nd single from the record 'I Wish I Was A Girl Like You'. (5th).

McIntosh Ross play 'A Night For Scotland' at Edinburgh Usher Hall. (14th)

November Deacon Blue begin their 16 date UK tour kicking off in Kilmarnock Grand Hall (29th).

December Bethlehem Begins becomes the 3rd download only single to be taken from the 'A New House' album released on the (15th). Deacon Blue finish their UK tour at the Echo Arena Liverpool (21st)

2015

March 'Win' is released as the 4th and final single from 'A New House'. The track is remixed in New York by by Michael H Brauer.

April Deacon Blue play a one off show in Dubai's Irish Village.

May Ricky Ross anounces a solo tour billed as 'The Lyric Book Live'. playings songs spanning the past 30yrs. 14 dates are announced with Glasgow Cottiers Theatre selling out in just 5 days, a 2nd night is swiftly added. The tour also sees Ricky return to the Netherlands as he announces a night at the famous Amsterdam Paradiso.

Deacon Blue play a short set for Magic FM live from Edinburgh Castle (15th).

Deacon Blue are back on prime time television making an appearance on Live At The Sunday Palladium singing 'Real Gone Kid' and their latest single 'Win'. (17th).

June Deacon Blue take part in BBC Music Day, this special performance recorded at Glasgow City Hall featured the Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Deacon Blue performed two songs 'The Hipsters' and 'Long Window To Love'. The event was televised. (5th)

July Deacon Blue appear at Chris Evan's 'Carfest' event at Silverstone (3rd).

October The Choir opens at Glasgow Citizen Theatre,The Musical play is written by Paul Higgins and Ricky Ross and opens to favourable reviews.

Ricky Ross plays a one off benefit show at the Glad Cafe, Glasgow. (21st). The benefit was in aid of the magazine 'Bella Caledonia". Ricky was joined by Folk singers Karine Polwart and Loki & Becki Wallace.

November Ricky Ross begins his 14 date tour, opening in New Galloway (1st) and finishing with two shows in Amsterdam, a return to the famous Paradiso (26th) and playing the English Reformed Church (27th).

December Ricky Ross gets an honoury doctorate from the University of West of Scotland in Ayr. (1st)

Deacon Blue end 2015 with another Hogmanay show, this time at Stonehaven,Open Air In The Square. (31st)

2016

March Ricky Ross plays The Steeple, Dundee a benefit show in aid of 'Hot Chocolate Trust'.

May Deacon Blue play a one off show at Aintree racecourse Liverpool (13th) where they reveal plans for a new album later in the year.

July Deacon Blue release "The Believers"  (18th) the first single from the upcoming album release "Believers".

August Deacon Blue once again return to Ireland to play the Feile Festival in Belfast (13th)

October Ricky Ross plays an intimate show at the John Leggett College in Scunthorpe.   (4th)

September "This Is A Love Song"  (5th) is released as the 2nd single from the new album "Believers"  The single is remixed by long time Deacon Blue mixer Michael H Brauer.

Deacon Blue release their new album "Believers" (30th) Once again the album finds the band teaming up with Paul Savage at CHEM 19 Glasgow.

November Deacon Blue hit the road to promote "Believers" the 20 date nationwide tour kicks off at the Dublin Olympia Theatre. (8th)

December  "Gone" is released as the 3rd single from "Believers" the track is remixed by Ash Howes for release.

Deacon Blue end their UK tour with a special night at the Glasgow Barrowlands. It would be the first time the band would play this historic Glasgow venue since the final night of their farewell tour in 1994. The concert was filmed for release the following year on CD, LP, DVD and Blu Ray.

2017

February Ricky Ross travels to Zambia on behalf of The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) to help promote their "Wee Box" campaign.

Lorraine McIntosh returns to the stage as "Yvonne" in "Still Game : Live 2" at the Glasgow Hydro arena (4th - 16th)

"I Will And I Won't" is released on Spotify as a single, including a live version from the upcoming "Live At The Glasgow Barrowlands" album release.

March  Ricky Ross travels to Hamburg to record at Chameleon Studios for his next solo abum. Live At The Glasgow Barrowlands gets an exlusive showing at the prestigious Glasgow Film Theatre. The showing is open to fans and the band were in attendance. (30th)

Live At The Glasgow Barrowlands is released. (31st) Ricky Ross and Gregor Philp head to Nashville Tennessee to do some writing sessions.

May Ricky Ross returns to Dundee to play a short set for the testimonial of Dundee United player Sean Dillon at the Apex Hotel (7th). Deacon Blue kick off festival season playing the Montrose Music Festival (26th)

July Festival dates continue with appearances at Flashpoint Festival in Corby (15th) Carfest North at Bolesworth Castle (28th) and The Punchestown Music Festival in Co Kildare (29th). Before that Deacon Blue play a special one off show of their own at Edinburgh Castle (22nd).

August Deacon Blue return to Carfest, playing the South leg of the festival in Overton, Hampshire (25th)

September Ricky Ross releases his new album Short Stories Vol 1. The album is a mixture of  new songs and reworkings of old songs including Raintown, Wages Day, I Was Right And You Were Wrong and The Germans Are Out Today which featured on Ricky's very first album "So Long Ago" back in 1984. The album was also available with a limited edition 7" single featuring another new song "The Soldiers Song" as well as another version of Raintown the "Choral Version".

November Ricky Ross begins his Short Stories solo tour kicking off with 3 overseas show Utrecht (4th) Berlin (5th) and Hamburg (7th). The 19 date UK leg of the tour begins on the (9th) in Cheltenham and runs through the rest of the month into December.

December The Short Stories Vol 1 your concludes with dates in Ireland, Dublin (5th) Kilkenny (6th) and finishing at the Empire Theatre Belfast (7th).

2018

January Ricky Ross plays Celtic Connections bringing his Short Stories show to The Mackintosh Church (19th)

February Deacon Blue make their long awaited return to Spain playing 3 shows, Barcelona (1st) Madrid (2nd) and Valencia (3rd). Ricky Ross plays the Four Corners festival in Belfast at the Fitzroy Presbytarian Church (7th).

June Ricky Ross plays 3 more solo shows this time visiting Stockton On Tees (6th) Whitley Bay (7th) and Perth (8th) accompanied by The Pumpkin Seeds string quartet in Perth who recorded with Ricky on Short Stories Vol 1.

Deacon Blue play Newcastle racecourse (29th).

July Deacon Blue play the Cornbury Music Festival  (15th) and Hebcelt Festival, Stornaway (21st)

September Ricky Ross plays the Ginger And Spice Festival in Market Drayton (29th)

November Ricky Ross plays a show at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre (3rd)

Deacon Blue embark on their Believers tour playing 24 dates begining in Belfast (13th).

December The Believers tour continues finishing at the Glasgow SSE Hydro (15th)

2019

February Deacon Blue once again return to Spain playing Valencia (28th).

March The Spanish tour continues with dates in A Coruña, Madrid, San Sebastian and ending in Barcelona (6th)

May Deacon Blue head to Dublin for the bank holiday weekend to play the Dun Laoghaire pier festival (31st).

June Ricky and Lorraine join Remembering Srebenica in visiting Bosnia to see life after the war and hear stories of those that lived through it.

August Deacon Blue return to Spain to play the  Sonorama Ribera festival (9th), the show is broadcast on local radio and the internet.

Further festival dates follow at Party At The Palace, Linlithgow (11th) and the Jersey Weekender (31st).

September Deacon Blue play a special one off charity show at the Glad Cafe, Glasgow (15th). Called "Raise The Roof". A local haunt of the band the venue was facing closure. Tickets were priced at £100 and very limited, the show sold out immediatly.  The band played a 17 song acoustic set.

October Ricky plays at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh for the Cyrenians Supper Club (25th).

November Deacon Blue return again to The Irish Village Dubai, at the Dubai Tennis Stadium to play a one off show (14th).

The band release "City Of Love" as the first preview single from the upcoming album of the same name (18th)

After 30yrs Deacon Blue return to Australia for a 7 date tour, the shows sell out fast and 2 further dates are added. The tour sees them visit Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Opening at the Rosemount, Perth (18th) and finishing at The Triffid, Brisbane (28th). 

For the first time ever the band also play New Zealand with 2 nights at the Mercury Theatre (30th) (1st Dec).

December after a triumphant tour down under the band return to the UK promising to return to Australia and New Zealand very soon.

2020

January Deacon Blue release "Wonderful" as the 2nd preview single for the new album "City Of Love" (17th).

February Deacon Blue release "Hit Me Where It Hurts" as the 3rd preview single for "City Of Love" (14th).

Ricky and Lorraine travel to Democratic Repubic of Congo and Rwanda as part of the SCIAF Wee Box Campaign.

March City Of Love the new album by Deacon Blue is released (6th). The album is well received and charts at number 4 in the UK album chart, the bands highest position since Our Town 1994.

June Lorraine contributed a short film to the National Theatre Of Scotland. Entitled Bee's it was written by David Greig and published via Youtube. (4th).

August Deacon Blue announce that their Cities Of Love tour has fallen victim to the global Coronavirus pandemic and will be rescheduled for late 2021. Extra dates were added to the tour.

October Deacon Blue announce plans to release a new mini companion album to City Of Love entitled Riding On The Tide Of Love. Due for release 5th February 2021 the album comprised of songs left over from City Of Love and tracks recorded remotely during lockdown.

December Dignity is crowned the greatest ever Scottish song in a poll conducted by Radio Clyde 2. (2nd).

Riding On The Tide Of Love is released as the first single from the bands upcoming mini album of the same name. (7th)

Deacon Blue launch their Live Archive on their official website, allowing fans the chance to buy live recordings from the bands extensive archive. (11th).

Deacon Blue take part in Tim Burgess's Twitter Party to celebrate Raintown, the band joined Tim and fans in simultaneously listening to the album and reminiscing recording and touring the classic album. (12th).

Deacon Blue end the year playing 4 live songs for BBC Scotland for their Hogmanay programming. 

2021

January Ricky and Lorraine join Gary Barlow to perform Real Gone Kid as part of Gary's "Crooner Sessions" which Gary has been performing throughout Coronavirus lockdown. (22nd)

Ricky performs 4 songs as part of the Burns And Beyond  Burns night celebrations. The tracks are broadcast online. (23rd)

Ricky also joins Roddy Hart to perform 2 songs for the Roaming Roots Revue show as part of the 2021 Celtic Connections celebrations. The show is a pay per view online event.

February Riding On The Tide Of Love the new mini album is released. It charts at number 23 in the UK album chart.

June A 30th Anniversary edition of Fellow Hoodlums is released on yellow Vinyl (18th)

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Fellow Hoodlums Deacon Blue again join Tim Burgess for a "Twitter Listening Party" playing through the album and discussing it track by track. (19th)

August Deacon Blue play their first live shows for a very long time, playing the ValleyFest in Bristol (1st) and the Wickham Festival in Hampshire (7th)

November Deacon Blue release "To Be Here Someday" (4th) the bands first official biography compiled and edited by Paul English with contributions from band members, crew, management, friends and fans.

The Cities Of Love tour finally gets underway in Newcastle (8th) after being delayed for a year due to covid. The tour is extended with added dates and runs through until the end of December.

December The Cities Of Love tour concludes with a show at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow (19th)