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Kevin Coyne

1944–2004

Black and white photograph of a masked man sitting in the drivers seat of a white car [c.1978]
© The estate of Ian Breakwell and © Felicity Sparrow
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Biography

Kevin Coyne (27 January 1944 – 2 December 2004) was an English musician, singer, composer, film-maker, and a writer of lyrics, stories and poems. He was critically acclaimed for his unorthodox style of blues-influenced guitar composition, the intense quality of his vocal delivery, and his lyrics describing injustice to the mentally ill. Musicians who have described themselves as Coyne fans include Sting and John Lydon. In the mid-1970s, prior to the formation of the Police, Coyne's band included guitarist Andy Summers. BBC disc jockey Andy Kershaw described Coyne as "a national treasure who keeps getting better" and as one of the great British blues voices.

Over many years Coyne produced the art work for many of his own album covers. His move to Germany, in the 1980s, saw his work on full-size paintings blossom in its own right.

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Sketches, letters, etc.

  • Typed document entitled, ‘The Institution: An inquiry by Ian Breakwell and Kevin Coyne’

    Kevin Coyne, Ian Breakwell
    July 1971
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  • Possible design for a poster which used to promote ‘The Institution: A film by Ian Breakwell and Kevin Coyne’

    Ian Breakwell, Kevin Coyne
    [c.1978]
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  • Black and white photograph of Kevin Coyne sitting in an armchair

    Ian Breakwell, Kevin Coyne, Felicity Sparrow
    [c.1978]
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  • Black and white photograph of Kevin Coyne with his back to camera and looking out of a window

    Ian Breakwell, Kevin Coyne, Felicity Sparrow
    [c.1978]
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