Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)

Subject: Adrienne Johnston
From: GUEST,nickr90
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 09:58 AM

Any information on Adrienne Johnston of The Johnstons. I heard a new CD recently by Shirae and the lead vocal is uncannily like Adrienne

Subject: RE: Adrienne Johnston
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 11:08 AM

Adrienne Johnston sadly died in 1981.

Subject: RE: Adrienne Johnston
From: Nerd
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 08:20 PM

Many believe that AJ was murdered, but officially it was an accidental death.

Subject: RE: Adrienne Johnston
From: GUEST,nickr90
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 02:16 PM

Thank you both

anyone got any more info on this

Subject: RE: Adrienne Johnston
From: GUEST,Liane
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 10:19 AM

I posted the message below in the Emmet Spiceland thread a few days ago, but it more properly belongs here:

came to this thread while searching for information on Adrienne Johnston. Since then, I located an article in the Irish Independent from Dec. 16, 1989, which strongly implies that she was a victim of domestic violence. She apparently died in a fall at home; while the death was ruled accidental, the medical examiner expressed "concerns about this case" to a family member.
The article portrays Adrienne's husband, Chris McCloud (né Miethe), as controlling and opportunistic, hoping to ride the Johnstons' coattails to fame and fortune. During the last half-dozen years of Adrienne's life, her friends and family were unable to get in touch with her to let her know of the deaths of her parents and other relatives.

Very little information is findable about her husband, except for a posting from one of his high school classmates, who states that McCloud is "deceased (date unknown)". (http://web.me.com/davidgjnitz/Site_2/Obituaries.html)

I hope it doesn't seem too morbid of me to be digging up this information so many years later. I've always loved the Johnstons' music and have wanted to know more about the tragic loss of Adrienne. "Oh, but her love, t'was easy won."

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 11:23 PM

I knew Adrienne slightly, as a critic generally knows a performer, 40 years or so ago. I find it oddly disorientating and distressing that she should have dead for 30 years & I only just heard of it. I have added a note to this effect also to the ongoing Folk Singers Who Have Died thread.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 11:53 AM

Its so long since I had any contact with them - didn't Chris McCloud manage the Johnsons for some years - circa 1970/72; before and after Mick Maloney departed for the USA?

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,Liane
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 03:16 PM

> didn't Chris McCloud manage the Johnsons for some years - circa 1970/72; before and after Mick Maloney departed for the USA?

Yes, that's my understanding. The Irish Times article says that Chris Miethe/McCloud first met Adrienne and the rest of the band backstage after a concert in London in 1969. His becoming their manager led to Moloney's leaving the Johnstons. "Mick Moloney had no doubts about McCloud's intentions. 'He saw the group as a passport to riches, another Peter, Paul and Mary ... He was an evil influence, ultimately ...""

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,Palma_B
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 04:22 AM

You may be interested in this:
http://thetlt.ie/2011/04/the-johnston-music-festival/

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 04:27 AM

That link appears in another "Johnston" thread. Very sloppily written - e.g. it has Adrienne leaving before Mick Maloney.

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: Jim Martin
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 06:44 AM

There was a very interesting item about her & the Johnstons last night:

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/artstonight/

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jan 13 - 01:57 PM

Her death does sound suspicious - it's too bad her husband got away with murder. Forensics weren't what they are today, or else he may have had to face a prision sentence. We lost a beautiful voice in Adrienne Johnston.

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,timeless
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 09:37 AM

That RTE link @Jim Mattin wont open what is it about? Adriennes family did not hear of her death until years after. she was apparantly cremated, obviously hiding evidence. this documentary showed that mick maloney had no interest in him what so ever and thus led him to leave the johnstons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcyqipToySc

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 10:07 AM

That RTE link @Jim Mattin wont open what is it about?

Well, it does open the page for the arts tonight programme. Jim made his post in 2011 though and it's not likely the actual show he was referring to is still on-line.

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,Don Wise
Date: 26 Jan 13 - 03:44 AM

In the recesses of my memory I seem to recall that, 1969-72, someone connected with The Johnstons (Adrienne??) was studying at what was then Northwest London Polytechnic - or at least hanging out in the Students Union bar....

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 11:47 AM

I travelled with the Johnstons back then. I was a photographer and photographed the wedding of McCloud & Adrienne. She was a sweetheart but I never got off on Chris.

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,Figserello
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 02:37 AM

Just 'discovered' the Johnstons in the last week or so. Have yet to read the Irish Times article on Adriennes death. Just listening to the songs McCloud worked on, they are kinda claustrophobic 'you and me' sort of affairs. Also already describe rocky claustrophobic relationships. Not hard to imagine the 'you were a boy lost within the man' lyrics were written from his point of view about her. Classic infantilising tactics of the abusive partner.

In any case she was very talented and apparently someone who looks like she was a lot of fun. A sad loss to Irish music, in any case.

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 06:57 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcyqipToySc

Worth a listen.

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,NEW Guest
Date: 29 Jan 17 - 12:25 PM

...it is posted elsewhere that Adrienne died in a fatal car crash?

What now is correct falling down stairs or car crash?


Loved their music. They could have become a much bigger success if only they would have been left alone to pursue their goals within their own time and under their own steam.

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST,Jackie Hayden
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 07:09 AM

I have a copy of Adrienne's 1975 album on RCA Records. The composer credits for five songs are Chris McCloud and Paul Brady. Three are by McCloud and Adrienne, and one by McCloud alone. The album features Adrienne in fine voice backed by such notable musicians as Simon Nicol, Pat Donaldson and Gerry Conway. It was produced by McCloud in London.

Subject: RE: Info on Adrienne Johnston (died in 1981)
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Feb 21 - 07:51 AM

ex Johnston/now major US academic - Mick Moloney might be a good source for further info re Adrienne RIP. Major doubts about her husband, Chris McCloud and his character...Johnston's home was Slane,Co Meath,Ireland. There have been some tribute events and a facebook contact page etc,for anyone interested. Great BGO CDs re package available.Ace listening...