Big Country and The Icicle Works

Big Country, formed by Stuart Adamson in 1981, is known for its Celtic rock style with hits like "In a Big Country" and "Wonderland." Their debut, *The Crossing,* went platinum in the UK and gold in the US. Despite changes in lineup, they continued releasing music into the next century. Collaborations include Ray Davies, and notable albums like *Steeltown* and *The Seer* kept them in the charts. Stuart Adamson, originally from England, battled personal issues and was found deceased in 2001.

The Icicle Works, a Liverpool group formed in 1980, were known for their big-sounding guitar rock. They scored a U.S. hit with "Whisper to a Scream." The band featured Ian McNabb, Chris Sharrock, and Chris Layhe. Their U.S. success came with their self-titled debut album. They had several albums but disbanded after "Permanent Damage" in 1990. McNabb later pursued a solo folk-rock career.