Shetland-Music.com

The Shetland, and indeed the national, music world was shocked and saddened to learn this week of the death of Harry Horse and his wife Mandy, who for the last few years have stayed on the island of Burra on Shetland's westside.

Originally from Coventry, before re-locating to Edinburgh, Harry was part of the pioneering bands 'Swamptrash' and 'Hexology' who, during the mid 80's, married bluegrass and cajun / zydeco influences with a fierce rock n' roll attitude, literally creating a whole new music culture and influencing bands such as 'Shooglenifty' and Shetland's own 'Bongshang', who's banjo player JJ Jamieson played in a number of bands with Harry.

Swamptrash played a number of memorable Shetland dates, which led to Harry meeting Mandy in the first instance. The couple married in 1990 in Burra.

For the last few years Harry was better known as a highly successful childrens writer and was also a political cartoonist for a number of national media publications.

His much acclaimed story of 'The Last Polar Bears' was turned into an animated film and is now shown regularly on TV - particularly at Christmas time.

The sympathies of everyone involved with the Shetland music scene go out to all their family and friends at this incredibly sad time.

News story courtesy of the Shetland Times - Click Here

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