Friends reunited: band backs hospice

Two of the original line-up — drummer Alex Stenhouse and bassist Ronnie Finlayson — have since passed away.

The three remaining band members — Robert Lindsay, John Williams and David A Gilmour — are to resurrect the old band and finally record an album of their original songs to help raise funds for a new hospice in the Southside.

Anthem were stalwarts of the Scottish and north 
of England gig circuit, 
often playing five or six gigs a week.

By 1977, they were supporting big hitters: Slade, Frankie Miller and the Jess Roden Band. Anthem also played on a regular basis at the Burns Howff in Glasgow’s city centre.

They had begun to write their own material, getting radio and record company attention but their dream of stardom faded after a number of setbacks and they finally split up two years later in 1979.

Robert said: “We got together recently and spoke about finally recording the original songs, which had never see the light of day except as live performances.”

Their debut album Let it roll, Brooklyn (price £5) is released on Flatbush Records and proceeds will be donated to The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice which is soon relocating to Bellahouston Park.

The Brick by Brick Appeal honours the band’s original drummer, Alex Stenhouse, who was a patient at the hospice.