Alan Rankine

Alan Rankine (17 May 1958 – 2 January 2023) was a prominent Scottish musician and record producer, celebrated for his role as the keyboardist and guitarist of the influential rock band The Associates, which he co-founded with Billy Mackenzie in the late 1970s.

Rankine's musical journey began with the cabaret group Caspian, which eventually evolved into The Associates. The band gained recognition for their innovative sound, producing three notable albums: *The Affectionate Punch* (1980), *Fourth Drawer Down* (1981), and *Sulk* (1982). In 1982, Rankine departed from the group just before the *Sulk* tour, primarily due to Mackenzie's hesitance to embark on extensive travel.

Following his exit from The Associates, Rankine transitioned into a successful career as a producer, collaborating with artists like Paul Haig, Cocteau Twins, and The Pale Fountains. In 1986, he signed with the Belgian label Les Disques du Crépuscule and launched a solo career that resulted in three albums: *The World Begins to Look Her Age* (1986), *She Loves Me Not* (1987), and the instrumental project *The Big Picture Sucks* (1989).

In addition to his music, Rankine served as a lecturer at Stow College in Glasgow until 2010, where he played a crucial role in helping students establish the in-house record label Electric Honey, which fostered the careers of significant bands such as Belle and Sebastian, Snow Patrol, and Biffy Clyro. Rankine passed away peacefully at his home on 2 January 2023, at the age of 64, with heart disease confirmed as the cause.