Big Country singer goes missing again

The lead singer of 1980s pop group Big Country has gone missing for the second time in two years, it emerged today.

Stuart Adamson, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, was last seen several weeks ago and since then family and friends have been unable to contact him.

The 43-year-old, who has fought a long battle with alcohol, last went missing in November 1999, forcing the band to cancel shows supporting Canadian star Bryan Adams.

He later claimed he was disillusioned with the music industry and blamed stress and overwork on his sudden disappearance.

His ex-wife Sandra said she and Adamson’s manager, Ian Grant, had been desperately trying to contact the singer for the past few weeks.

She said: ‘‘I was married to Stuart for a long time and still feel that I know him really well.

‘‘Ian and I have done more than anybody to try to trace him.’’

Sandra also confirmed that Adamson is due to appear in court in the US charged with drink-driving.

She denied reports that his disappearance was linked to his court case and that he was on the run from the police.

She said: ‘‘I was told two or three days ago that someone represented Stuart in court and that the case had been deferred until March.’’

Big Country split last year and Adamson went on to form another group, The Raphaels. He has lived in Nashville for the past five years and is married to Melanie.

An official with the Nashville Police Department said no warrant had been issued for Adamson’s arrest.

Adamson, born in Manchester, grew up in Crossgates near Dunfermline, Fife, and formed the punk group The Skids in the 1970s.

He went on to form Big Country, who had a string of hits during the 80s as well as eight successful albums.

In 1986, he told how he had suffered a nervous breakdown six years before and was on the verge of another due to stress and overwork.