The McKinlay Sisters
McKinlay Sisters | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Pop duo |
| Years active | 1960s–1970s |
| Known for | Singles including "Sweet and Tender Romance"; performances on Ready Steady Go!; backing vocals on Paice Ashton Lord's Malice in Wonderland |
The McKinlay Sisters comprised a Scottish pop duo made up of siblings Sheila (born 12 December 1941, died 16 December 2012) and Jeanette McKinlay (born 1 September 1948), hailing from Little France in Edinburgh. Their pop repertoire included singles such as "Sweet and Tender Romance," and they performed on the television program Ready Steady Go!, sharing the stage with notable groups like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Hollies.
Subsequent music careers
Following the release of their fourth single in 1965, the sisters moved to Germany where they continued performing under the name The McKinlay Sisters. Jeanette went on to establish the vocal duo Die Windows, which scored a number one hit in 1972 with a German rendition of "How Do You Do". Both sisters contributed backing vocals to Paice Ashton Lord's 1977 album Malice in Wonderland. Sheila also participated in recordings for Ringo Starr's Stop and Smell the Roses and Marius Müller-Westernhagen's Das erste Mal.
Later life
Sheila made her home in Bournemouth alongside her husband Howie Casey, a saxophonist associated with Paul McCartney and Wings and leader of Howie Casey and the Seniors, maintaining an active performance schedule. Jeanette returned to Edinburgh, married locally, and raised four children. Sheila succumbed to cancer in 2012 at age 71.
In 2024, a documentary titled "Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland's Girl Bands" featured the McKinlay sisters, celebrating their musical journey; this film received the "Best Scottish Film" award at The List Festival Awards.
Singles
- "Someone Cares for Me" (Columbia, 1964)
- "When He Comes Along" (Columbia, 1964)
- "Sweet and Tender Romance" (Parlophone, 1964)
- "Give Him My Love" (Columbia, 1965) penned by Donovan
- "I Want You" (Fontana, Germany, 1967)
- "Wer nicht hören will muss fühlen" (Fontana, 1967)
- "Große Katastrophe" (Fontana, 1968)