Celebrating singer Angela McCluskey, who died at age 64 on 3/15/24. In the 90’s she fronted the band Wild Colonials, and her timeless voice graced many soundtracks and commercials.
You know the voice. Even if you think you have never heard it before, you recognize it. When you hear it out in public, in a movie, on television, it’s a voice that makes you reach for your phone to Shazam and find out who it is. It has been described as fractured, gin-soaked. It has the strength to front a rock band. It has a break that recalls Billie Holiday. It transcends genres.
Through the 1990’s Angela McCluskey fronted The Wild Colonials with a force akin to her friend and fellow Scotsman Shirley Manson of Garbage. Formed in Los Angeles, the band had heavy ties with the movie industry. Their music ultimately appeared in over 30 films, and three of the band members have scored full-length features.
Their third album, Reel Life, Vol. 1 was a compilation of songs used in various films including Mr. Wrong, Unhook The Stars and Flirting With Disaster. Their songs were used on television as well, most notably on Grey’s Anatomy.
McCluskey also lent her voice to numerous advertising campaigns, singing in commercials for American Express, Schick razors and this memorable 2000 Kohls jingle:
In 2004, McCluskey released her first solo LP, The Things We Do, featuring the song “It’s Been Done”:
Over the next 18 years, she would release 4 LPs and numerous singles and EPs, including one with the reunited Wild Colonials in 2010.
McCluskey has been described as “a singer’s singer.” Her list of collaborators is long and wide-ranging – from Dr. John to Cyndi Lauper to Shudder To Think to Paul Oakenfold. She contributed vocals for two albums with French electronic group Télépopmusik. Their 2004 collaboration “Breathe” garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording.
Another highlight from her work with Télépopmusik was “Love’s Almighty” from 2005:
She appeared on Robbie Robertson’s LP How To Become Clairvoyant. “In The Air,” her 2011 collaboration with Morgan Page reached #1 on the Billboard Dance Airplay chart.
Angela McCluskey sings “Wild is the Wind” and “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today” for WFUV (2012):
McCluskey recounted her early days with The Wild Colonials in one of her final Instagram posts:
Spotify playlist covering her eclectic career:
See also:
Adam Schlesinger: Not Just The Guy On The Right
Tina Turner: 12+ Cover Songs You May Have Missed
Etta James: Advertising Zombie
‘60’s Girl Group Survivors
Dusty Springfield Sings Kate Bush
10 Forgotten Cher Moments
You Know The B-52’s “Roam” Is About Butt Sex, Right?
Debbie At The World (1989)
Kate Bush’s Gayest Songs
Madame Spivy’s Alley Cat
Brian Ferrari's Blog 
Thank you for this article. I had forgotten about her work. You chose a great selection of songs; I have added them to my cell’s song library. My best to you- Chas
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Thanks for the tribute! She was an amazing and unique vocalist and won my heart with Love’s Almighty.
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