Alastair Donaldson facts for kids

Alastair Donaldson (born 27 April 1955 in Edinburgh, died 18 June 2013 in Edinburgh) was a talented Scottish musician. He could play many different instruments, making him a multi-instrumentalist. He was best known as the bassist for the Scottish punk and pop band the Rezillos. In the band, he used the fun stage name William Mysterious.

Who Was Alastair Donaldson?

Alastair Donaldson was a Scottish musician who made his mark in the punk and pop music scene. He was born and passed away in Edinburgh, Scotland. His stage name, William Mysterious, became well-known during his time with The Rezillos.

Early Musical Journey

Before joining The Rezillos, Alastair was an important member of a folk music group called Silly Wizard. He played on many of their recordings using his real name. This shows he had a wide range of musical skills, from folk to punk rock.

Rocking with The Rezillos

Alastair Donaldson joined The Rezillos and became their bassist. Interestingly, he first started with the band as their saxophonist before switching to bass guitar. He played on some of their most famous songs and albums.

The "William Mysterious" Persona

When he was with The Rezillos, Alastair adopted the stage name William Mysterious. This added to the band's unique and energetic image. Stage names are common for musicians and performers, helping them create a special identity.

Hits and Live Shows

Alastair played on The Rezillos' second single for Sire Records, which included the songs "(My Baby Does) Good Sculptures" and "Flying Saucer Attack." He also played on their first studio album, Can't Stand the Rezillos, released in 1978.

He left The Rezillos after a tour where they supported the famous band the Ramones. However, he made a special guest appearance at The Rezillos' very last concert at The Apollo in Glasgow. There, he went back to playing the saxophone alongside his replacement bassist, Simon Templar. This exciting performance was recorded and can be heard on The Rezillos' live album, Mission Accomplished (But the Beat Goes On) (1979). He also played saxophone on an instrumental track called "20,000 Rezillos under the Sea," which was on the B-side of their "Top of the Pops" single. This track was a cool new version of the William Tell Overture by the classical composer Gioachino Rossini.

After The Rezillos

After leaving The Rezillos, Alastair released a single in 1982 under the name William Mysterious with Alastair Donaldson. The songs were "Security of Noise" and "Alright." Later, when The Rezillos split up for the first time in 1978, some former members formed a new band called the Revillos. Donaldson rejoined them in 1979 and played bass on their Rev Up album.

Later Life and Legacy

After his time with The Revillos, Alastair Donaldson stopped recording and touring. However, he continued to perform live in his hometown of Edinburgh until he passed away on 18 June 2013. He is remembered by his daughter, Ailsa, his son, John, and his wife, Ksenija Horvat.