Chair: Nicola Meighan [BBC Scotland]

Speakers: Bobby Bluebell [The Bluebells] & Clare Grogan [Altered Images']

Join us for an intimate conversation with two iconic figures of the Scottish music scene, Bobby Bluebell and Clare Grogan, sit down with arts writer and broadcaster Nicola Meighan (BBC Scotland). 

With over four decades of experience in music, film, and television, Clare first gained fame as the frontwoman of Altered Images, whose infectious sound and chart-topping hits defined a generation. Bobby Bluebell, known for his role in The Bluebells, made waves in the post-punk era and has collaborated with legendary artists while maintaining a vibrant career as a songwriter and DJ.

In this discussion,, they will reflect on their remarkable journeys, the evolution of the music industry, and the enduring legacy of their work. Expect anecdotes from their early days, insights into their creative processes, and discussions about the resurgence of their respective bands in today’s musical landscape.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from two trailblazers who have shaped the sound of Scottish music, moderated by the insightful Nicola Meighan. This promises to be a memorable exploration of creativity, resilience, and the power of music across generations!

Nicola Meighan (Arts Writer & Broadcaster)

Nicola Meighan is a music and arts writer and broadcaster who presents Afternoons on BBC Radio Scotland (Fridays, 2-4pm), and hosts Scottish Arts and Culture podcast A Kick Up The Arts. www.akickupthearts.org

Bobby Bluebell (Artist - The Bluebells)

Born in govan ..educated at Lourdes in Cardonald ..degree in design at Glasgow College of Building and Printing..began a fanzine called 10 commandments that covered the emerging Glasgow and Central Scotland post punk music scene.. was encouraged to form a group by associations with Altered Images and Postcard Records..The Bluebells were quickly courted by major labels and were the first unsigned group on the Old Grey Whistle Test ..Elvis Costello produced and invited them on tour..

Top of the Pops soon followed…Post Bluebells , Bobby began Djing in virtually every major Glaswegian nightclub and worked for Pete Tong as an A and R scout.. after Young at Heart reached number one on re release in 1993 Bobby began a long and successful songwriting relationship with his friends in the band Texas.. and had a weekly column in the Scotsman newspaper ..he also traveled the world with his publisher Dave Stewart writing and recording with some incredible artists such as Sinead O’Connor and Brian Wilson .. post Bluebells he joined bands such as One Dove , Paul Quinn and the Independent Group,The Poems , Best Picture and the Fat Cops …

Recently the Bluebells reformed to finally record their Second album 40 years after they recorded their first..

The Bluebells in the 21st Century was released to with great critical acclaim..

Clare Grogan

CLARE has worked extensively in Music, Film, Television, Theatre and Radio for 40+ years. The summer she left school her band ALTERED IMAGES were signed to EPIC Records and CLARE appeared in the BAFTA winning comedy GREGORY’S GIRL directed by BILL FORSYTH. ALTERED IMAGES quickly had worldwide success, selling millions of records, which topped the charts in several countries. They recorded 3 Top10 Albums and had 6 UK TOP 40 hits – working with legendary producers MARTIN RUSHENT, MIKE CHAPMAN and TONY VISCONTI. They were voted BEST NEW GROUP at the NME awards the same year they were invited to play at THE ROYAL COMMAND PERFORMANCE.

CLARE opened for THE HUMAN LEAGUE in their Arena tour, performed at the EDINBURGH 2022 HOGMANY CELEBRATIONS in Princess Gardens as well as an ALTERED IMAGES headline tour. This summer ALTERED IMAGES performed in a string of FESTIVALS including SPLENDOUR, KEW THE MUSIC, STONE VALLEY and BELLADRUM. She signed a two-album record deal with COOKING VINYL and her first album in 37 years was released in August 2022 to some great reviews which saw ALTERED IMAGES back in the charts!

For RECORD STORE DAY last year, she released on vinyl CLARA LIBRE - her Cuban-inspired versions of some of ALTERED IMAGES biggest hits.

CLARE has just started writing for her next album which she hopes to record next year and has a string of SUMMER FESTIVALS in the diary as well as an anniversary tour in the Autumn, Bite Back, where she will perform the entire Bite album and a Greatest Hits Set. You can currently hear CLARE in the just released WIRELESS THEATRE audio drama GEEZER BIRD.