Screaming Lord Sutch

Screaming Lord Sutch was an English rock and roll singer best remembered as the founder and principal candidate of the satirical populist political Party Official Monster Raving Loony Party, running for Parliament numerous times to satirize British politics and offer voters a protest vote. However despite the Party's overt satire, Sutch did participate in some legitimate activism, such as campaigning to lower the voting age, and to abolish income tax. Despite the Party's satirical nature, some of the things that have featured in Loony manifestos have become law, such as "passports for pets", abolition of dog licenses and all-day pub openings. Sutch's rock and roll career was inspired by performers like Screamin' Jay Hawkins and Little Richard. A cult figure, Sutch was considered one of the pioneers of shock rock, with his most famous rock and roll single being "Jack the Ripper". Many of his singles featured lyrics with overt horror movie themes ("Dracula's Daughter"), and he also recorded covers of American hits like "The Train Kept A-Rollin'", "I'm A Hog For You" and "Good Golly Miss Molly". After recording a number of singles throughout the early '60s, Sutch's debut "Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends" was recorded in 1969 and released the following year. The album featured an all-star line-up with contributions from Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page (who also produced the album) and John Bonham, guitarist Jeff Beck, session keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, session guitarist Deniel Edwards and Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist Noel Redding. Two more albums, "Hands of Jack the Ripper" (1972) and "Rock & Horror" (1982), were released during his lifetime. Sutch had a history of depression, and killed himself by hanging on 16 June 1999, at his mother's house. Sutch is buried beside his mother, who died on 30 April 1997, in the cemetery in Pinner, Middlesex. He was survived by a son, Tristan Lord Gwynne Sutch, born in 1975 to American model Thann Rendessy.