Ronnie Tait

Ronnie Tait, who has died aged 65, was a Scots blues singer who hit the top of the charts in Europe but, despite his impressive range of musical talent, never reached quite the same heights at home.

Known and respected across Scotland and south of the Border, he had been making music virtually all of his life and is best remembered here for his Rootsie Tootsie Blues Band, formed in the 1980s, and its spin-off the Rootsies Duo with guitarist Jim Condie.

But fans in countries from Germany to Malta knew him as Ronnie Jack, the voice behind the number one single You Are No Angel.

A self-taught musician who mastered the harmonica, piano, organ and guitar, he was initially inspired by the rock'n'roll of Elvis and later by blues stars such as Blind Willie Johnson and Muddy Waters.

Edinburgh-born, he left the capital's James Clark Secondary, aged 15, already having displayed his musical prowess by winning a Burns Federation award for excellence in singing Scots songs.

And while music was undoubtedly his first love he also enjoyed art and began his working life at Edinburgh's Aitken and Dott art business. In the evenings, if he wasn't working on his music at home, he would be at the city's Gamp Club, listening to the blues and waiting for his chance to perform.

At 19 he was singing on stage at The Cavendish at Tollcross with their big band, going on to perform with the Rapiers before becoming part of The Blues Brotherhood.

A move to England followed where he was involved in more commercial rock material in Sheffield and Birmingham and did the circuit playing with the band Bronco.

He then took up an opportunity to work in Germany and it was there he began singing under the name Ronnie Jack. He recorded an album there, Going For The Big One, in 1979 and one of the tracks on it was You Are No Angel which went to number one in the charts of various European countries.

However, problems with record deals prompted a return to Scotland and he joined the rock band Brody for a while before deciding to branch out and form his own blues band, Rootsie Tootsie, in the mid 1980s.

They were resident at the Preservation Hall, in the city's Victoria Street, and played various other venues including The Jailhouse.

After guitarist Jim Condie joined the Rootsie Tootsie band they formed the spin-off Rootsies Duo in 1989 and became Edinburgh's busiest blues act. In 1992 they performed 280 gigs. Before splitting up they also recorded two albums and opened for stars including Chuck Berry.

Musician Stevey Hay began working with Tait in 1994, playing in bands including the Auld Reekie Blues Band and, for the last decade or so, the Allan Pratt Blues Council.

"He was definitely a master of his craft," said Hay, "and he knew how to work a crowd. We just used to stand behind him and smile. Playing with him was just so enjoyable, you always learned something. I learned 90% of what I know from him."

A modest, unassuming man, Tait gave up drinking about 10 years ago and as a result enjoyed playing with greater clarity, his powerful voice sounding better than ever.

During the Edinburgh Festival he loved to be out on the street busking at his usual pitch on the Royal Mile near St Giles Cathedral. That gave him the chance to sing the blues solo, with just his guitar and harmonica accompaniment.

A performer who lived and breathed music, he continued to work on new material from the little studio he created in an alcove at his home in Edinburgh's Lawnmarket. Last year he produced a CD, Ronnie Rootsie Bluesman, and was constantly being asked to sing whenever he nipped into a pub to listen to the blues. Some of his last gigs were at the city's Whighams Jazz Club and a venue in Haddington.

He is survived by his daughter Tracey, three grandchildren and his sisters Vanda and Pam.