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Sun on the Water: The Brilliant Life and Tragic Death of My Daughter Kirsty MacColl
"I never cease to be amazed at the love Kirsty generated during her lifetime, and at how strongly it has continued until the present day." —Jean MacColl Kirsty MacColl led a dazzling life—tender, creative, heroic, and full of love. This book, by her mother Jean MacColl, charts with moving insight Kirsty’s early years and celebrates her brilliant career at the front rank of the music business in the 1980s and 1990s with such hits as the Pogues collaboration "Fairytale of New York." It mourns her tragic and untimely death—killed by a speedboat in Mexican waters in December 2000. It also tells, with heartfelt truth, the shocking story of the elaborate cover-up and gross miscarriage of justice that followed and appeals for justice to be done in her name.
342 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 22, 2011
A four star read for me, simply because of the unusual and out of the ordinary nature of this biography. In fact it could be the autobiography of it's author Jean MacColl. 'Sun on the Water-The Brilliant Life and Tragic Death of Kirsty MacColl', was published in 2008. A prologue hits the reader with the shock and pain of a tragic accident on the Mexican Island of Cozumel in December 2000. The book is a roller coaster ride. A slow climb, where the first quarter of the book features Jean's short marriage to folk singer Ewan MacColl and the birth and childhood of daughter Kirsty. Her musical career and recording success is covered with a mothers pride, and additional contributions from her many admirers and collaborators from Jules Holland,The Pogues,U2 and many more.
The story then rapidly picks up speed as it hurtles into the nature of the 'accident' in Mexico, an investigation and heart felt search for truth led my Jean MacColl and culminating in the Justice for Kirsty campaign. What we have here is a re-run of the 'Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll'. The William Zanzinger in this case is one Guillermo Gonzalez Nova head of family owned Controladora Comercial Mexicana (CCM) which consists of a group of supermarkets and restaurants throughout Mexico and a joint venture with Costco Wholesale Co of the U.S., who reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shoulders. While Tony Blair sucked up to Britpop at number ten, the performance from the British Government in this case can only be described as lamentable. The Mexican authorities criminal.
Ah but you who philosophise disgrace, and criticise all fears, bury the rag deep in your face, for now's the time for your tears.
The story then rapidly picks up speed as it hurtles into the nature of the 'accident' in Mexico, an investigation and heart felt search for truth led my Jean MacColl and culminating in the Justice for Kirsty campaign. What we have here is a re-run of the 'Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll'. The William Zanzinger in this case is one Guillermo Gonzalez Nova head of family owned Controladora Comercial Mexicana (CCM) which consists of a group of supermarkets and restaurants throughout Mexico and a joint venture with Costco Wholesale Co of the U.S., who reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shoulders. While Tony Blair sucked up to Britpop at number ten, the performance from the British Government in this case can only be described as lamentable. The Mexican authorities criminal.
Ah but you who philosophise disgrace, and criticise all fears, bury the rag deep in your face, for now's the time for your tears.
September 20, 2020
As others have said this isn’t an in depth biography of Kirsty, it’s as much about her mum and her battle fo justice for her daughter. Definitely worth reading
August 11, 2023
Such a devastating story but so interesting to learn about Kirsty’s life
August 12, 2009
Kirsty MacColl has been one of my favourite singer song-writers since I was a teenager and I heard her debut single 'They Don't Know'. I was just discovering music properly and her individuality and strong views really appealled to me, Kirsy and I shared the same birthday, although she was six years older than me. Most people will know her best for the iconic track 'Fairytale of New York', recorded with The Pogues.
Kirsty was killed on 18 December 2000 whilst diving with her two sons in Mexico. Her death shocked and saddened me, especially as it seemed that the cause of her death was being covered up by the Mexican authorities. The Captain and owner of the boat is one of Mexico's most wealthiest and influential business men. He has never answered for what happened on that day.
This book, written by Kirsty's mother Jean is a tribute to Kirsty's life - her childhood, her career and her family. The sorrow and loss felt by Joan comes through so clearly in her writing, and although this is not the most well-written biography that I have read, it is one of the most passionate. This is not just the story of Kirsty, but of her mother too. Jean is better known as Jean Newlove - an accomplished dancer and ex-wife of folk-singer Ewan MacColl.
It's an interesting read and gves a good insight into Kirsty's unusual childhood. Their trips across Europe to Poland via train, her home-schooling and her growing love for music. Jean's accounts of the tragic accident are heart-felt, the impact on her family was massive.
Kirsty MacColl will always be remembered for her music, it's a terrible shame that nobody has ever been held accountable for the terrible event that took her life so early.
Kirsty was killed on 18 December 2000 whilst diving with her two sons in Mexico. Her death shocked and saddened me, especially as it seemed that the cause of her death was being covered up by the Mexican authorities. The Captain and owner of the boat is one of Mexico's most wealthiest and influential business men. He has never answered for what happened on that day.
This book, written by Kirsty's mother Jean is a tribute to Kirsty's life - her childhood, her career and her family. The sorrow and loss felt by Joan comes through so clearly in her writing, and although this is not the most well-written biography that I have read, it is one of the most passionate. This is not just the story of Kirsty, but of her mother too. Jean is better known as Jean Newlove - an accomplished dancer and ex-wife of folk-singer Ewan MacColl.
It's an interesting read and gves a good insight into Kirsty's unusual childhood. Their trips across Europe to Poland via train, her home-schooling and her growing love for music. Jean's accounts of the tragic accident are heart-felt, the impact on her family was massive.
Kirsty MacColl will always be remembered for her music, it's a terrible shame that nobody has ever been held accountable for the terrible event that took her life so early.
October 8, 2011
Jean MacColl tells the life story of her daughter Kirsty MacColl from her childhood through to the fame and success she has in the music business and celebrates her brilliant career. It also mourns her tragic death. Kirsty was killed by a speedboat in Mexican waters while she was on a diving trip with her two young sons in December 2000. Jean tells the heartfelt truth, the shocking story of the elaborate cover-up and gross miscarriage of justice that followed and the on going appeals and campaigning for justice to be done in her name.
Kirsty is best known for her hit records in the 1980’s such as ‘There’s A Guy Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis/ ‘A New England’/ ‘Days’/ and the fantastic Christmas smash hit ‘Fairytale of New York’ with The Pogues.
This is a moving story that will touch your heart. The book is beautifully put together written with a mothers love for her daughter and the pain of losing her in such tragic circumstances.
‘I never ceased to be amazed at the love Kirsty generated during her lifetime, and at how strongly it has continued until the present day’ Jean MacColl.
Kirsty is best known for her hit records in the 1980’s such as ‘There’s A Guy Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis/ ‘A New England’/ ‘Days’/ and the fantastic Christmas smash hit ‘Fairytale of New York’ with The Pogues.
This is a moving story that will touch your heart. The book is beautifully put together written with a mothers love for her daughter and the pain of losing her in such tragic circumstances.
‘I never ceased to be amazed at the love Kirsty generated during her lifetime, and at how strongly it has continued until the present day’ Jean MacColl.
February 14, 2015
I'm a big fan of the late and much-missed Kirsty MacColl so it was good to read about her childhood and relationships with her parents and brother. However, after that most of this book is an autobiography of her mother Jean, in whom I was less interested. The last third of the book is about the terrible accident that took Kirsty's life and the ongoing fight for justice in connection with it. I found this moving, but very upsetting and was left with an even greater sense of a life ended too soon.
January 5, 2013
Struggled with this....the first half was exactly what I wanted. The life and music of the glorious Kirsty. The second half concentrated on her tragic death and went all political which unfortunately bored me rigid and I had to force my way through it....
Kirsty's death was criminal and unjust but(no offence Kirsty)politics bore me and as far as I'm concerned, in my house Kirsty and her music have never gone away...
Kirsty's death was criminal and unjust but(no offence Kirsty)politics bore me and as far as I'm concerned, in my house Kirsty and her music have never gone away...
December 30, 2014
Touching and heartbreaking. The book provides a great insight into Kirsty's life and childhood from her mother, and the last 1/3 details the campaign for justice after her death and the corruption and legal proceedings with the Mexican government. Kirsty was a warm, wonderful, funny, kind and incredibly talented woman and this shines through in this book. Such a shame that there is still no justice for her murder and I hope eventually there will be, as it is a complete disgrace.
January 31, 2014
I had Jean MacColl as my drama and movement teacher at school and reading this book I can hear her voice throughout it. loved the way she entwined both hers and kirsty's lives through narrative. pleased she mentioned Brenda okaradudu , who was a lovely lady who appeared to be in awe of Jean when their both worked at the school.
June 29, 2012
Still sorely missed and still greatly appreciated and needed.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews