The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Bothy ballad champion Joe Aitken, aged 79nd
Scotland’s traditional music scene has said farewell to one of its most popular figures with the passing of Kirriemuir bothy balladeer Joe Aitken.
In 2020, the retired crofter sung his way into the history books when he captured the bothy ballad Champion of Champions crown for a seventh time in Elgin.
Joe’s talent saw him enthral audiences at traditional music and song events across the north east of Scotland.
It also inspired a new generation to take up bothy ballad singing.
Joe, who was 79, died at home earlier this month.
He married his wife, Pat, in Kirrie’s St Andrew’s Church in June 1964. The couple have four children Dawn, Jackie, Tricia and Joe, and seven grandchildren.
He was born into the bothy ballad tradition in Aberdeenshire, before Joe’s father became grieve on a farm near Meigle.
Joe was just eight when he arrived in the wee red toon he made home.
He worked the land most of his life – the Aitkens had berry fields just outside the town.
He latterly worked alongside his brother, George, running their own lorries.
Joe and Pat were stalwarts of the Kirrie Festival, held each September.
And for 31 years from 1968, Joe was a retained Kirrie firefighter. He rose to become station officer at Glengate.
Past and present firefighters paid tribute to a man described as a “much respected gaffer”.
In 2020, after capturing the coveted porridge bowl and spurtle for a record seventh time, Joe spoke with pride of the achievement.
He said at the time: “I’m fair chuffed about it. It’s great to win.”
And he continue winning bothy ballad trophies right up until the illness which led to his death.
Joe was a passionate advocate of keeping the bothy ballad tradition alive.
Alongside his unprecedented Champion of Champions record he was honoured as Scots Singer of the Year at the MG Scots Trad Music Awards in 2010.
He was proud to have sung at the opening concert of Celtic Connections in 2016, marking the 50th anniversary of the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland.
And in 2018, he and fellow Kirrie singer and musician Christine Kydd were inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame.
Joe also released his own album of songs, Festival Favourites, and featured on other recordings and Youtube clips.
Fellow Angus bothy balladeer Scott Gardiner said Joe’s passing was a huge loss to both Kirrie and the traditional music world.
“Joe was one of those great community figures who would be celebrated even had he never sung a note,” said Scott.