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Thirsty Quireboys Celebrate A Stunning ‘God Bless America’ Album Launch

Thirsty Quireboys Celebrate A Stunning ‘God Bless America’ Album Launch

Thirsty Quireboys Celebrate A Stunning ‘God Bless America’ Album Launch And Video Premiere in London’s Soho  

The Thirsty Quireboys lit up The Spice of Life, Soho with a sold‑out, high‑energy celebration for the launch of ‘God Bless America – Best of Thirsty’. The intimate basement venue was packed with fans, friends, industry and long‑time supporters, all there to honour the legacy of Guy Bailey and the new chapter brought to life by his friends Spike, Chris Johnstone, Irina D, Simon Hanson and producer Chris Kimsey.

The night opened with a blistering set from Bones of the City, setting the tone for an evening that blended nostalgia, storytelling and pure rock ’n’ roll spirit.

Guests were then treated to the world premiere of the brand‑new video for the title track ‘God Bless America’, a cinematic tribute to Bailey’s songwriting and the emotional core of the album, explained beautifully in detail by Chris Johnstone (featured below). The premiere was followed by a lively Q&A with the band and Chris Kimsey giving fans a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at the project’s creation, alongside a few laughs and memories from back in the day.

Pic: James Cochrane

The atmosphere surged again as Spike took the stage with Tom Golzen, Chris Johnstone, Matty Cassidy, and Simon Hanson, delivering a powerful, heartfelt performance, including poetic vocals from Guy’s songwriting partner, Irina D –  that had the room buzzing long after the final chord. It was nothing short of intimate and moving.

The intimate 100-capacity venue was filled wall‑to‑wall with energy, emotion, and the unmistakable spirit of Guy Bailey, whose legacy powered the evening from start to finish.

With proceeds supporting Nordoff & Robbins in Bailey’s memory, the launch became more than an event — it was a celebration of community, legacy and the enduring magic of Thirsty’s music.

The album ‘God Bless America – Best of Thirsty’ is out now on all major platforms

Listen: Here

Buy: Here

The analysis of the track ‘GOD BLESS AMERICA’ –  by Chris Johnstone

‘God Bless America’ is a song about a less well-known tragedy involving the Kennedy family.

The Kennedys are perhaps the best-known family in 20 century US political history.

Everyone knows about the assassinations of JFK and Bobby. Events Defining the 1960s.

Not so many know anything about the tragedy of their older sister Rosemary.  

This song ‘God Bless America’ is her story.

Rosemary Kennedy grew up in the 1930s with mild educational and behavioural issues; and later with angry mood swings that embarrassed her father Senator Joe Kennedy.

 Seeking a “cure” – in 1942 Senator Joe had her lobotomised whilst fully conscious by US surgeon Mr James Watts with tragic consequences.

The operation was botched and she was left with the mind of a two-year-old.  Her father had her hidden away for over 20 years.

There are Only 10 lines in the Song.  But Each of the lines is very specific – and each line reflects an entry on Rosemary Kennedy’s Wikipedia page.

“She had a gleaming smile” – Rosemary was not super intelligent, but she was sociable and known for her beautiful smile.

 “She would escape at night” – as a teenager Rosemary used to run away from her convent boarding school to consternation of all the nuns

“Danced for the English queen” – when her father was in London as US ambassador – Rosemary was presented to Queen Mary and danced at the Debutante Ball in London

“Like a Lily of the valley” – this was the favourite flower of her famous sister-in-law Jackie Kennedy – wedding bouquet – White House flower arrangements- coffin  

“The  in Charge” this is her father Senator Joe

“Mr Watts said sing some notes for me ” God Bless America God Bless America ”  Mr Watts was the surgeon who undertook the operation

These are Mr Watts’ own words describing what happened during the “operation”:

“We went through the top of the head,” Dr. Watts recalled. “She was awake. I made a surgical incision in the brain through the skull. We put an instrument inside”.

As Dr. Watts cut, his colleague asked Rosemary to sing ‘God Bless America’.

Watts continued:  “We made an estimate on how far to cut based on how she responded.”

When Rosemary stopped singing – so did Mr Watts.

The operation was a total failure. Rosemary was left incontinent and with the mind of a two year old.

Joe Kennedy had her locked away in secret location  for over 20 years.

What happened to Rosemary Kennedy – in the context of the Kennedy family – and what happened to her as she sang ‘God Bless America’ can be seen as a powerful parable about US politics and even the US itself .

Thirsty Quireboys – ‘God Bless America The Best Of Thirsty Quireboys’ (Cadiz Music)

Thirsty Quireboys – ‘God Bless America The Best Of Thirsty Quireboys’ (Cadiz Music)

One of the biggest shames of 80s rock n roll was The Quireboys losing Guy Bailey after their second album. The guy (no pun intended) oozed Rock n Roll it was coursing through his veins and a massive part of the bands sound was shaped by the guys touch and tone on all those early records and after signing with ms Osbourne they took forever to make a follow up to ‘A Bit Of What You Fancy’ and Guy was done and with him left a big part of that rock n roll soul. After stints making noise with the Peckham Cowboys, it wasn’t until Thirsty that Guy reappeared on my radar for sure, and when he made the first record, I was lucky enough to interview the fella, and what a joy it was to chat about the scene of the early Quireboys and what influenced them and him through our mutual love of all things Keith Richards but it wasn’t until SPike and Guy were on stage in the borderline with Tyla that I next had a brief chat with Guy about Thirsty and what next.

Fast forward to 2026, and the way too early passing of Guy and then this record appears out of the ether with Spike’s voice filling the air over these slices of 3D cinematic rock n roll that Guy had previously released. Having Guy Spike and original Quireboy Chris also hopping on board is a real bittersweet moment. Turning the speakers up and the lights low, it’s drop the needle in the groove and immerse oneself into this record, and it begins with the awesome ‘1-10 7 and possibly 6’ I dunno what it means, but I do know it captures the attention and kicks your backside in classic Guy Bailey way. The overdriven tele rings out and the drums kick in before Spike joins the party and we’re away. What a wonderful song, all Keith Richards meets Chuck Prophet and dripping with coolness.

I can remember having to give Thirsty time to seep into your head, and once you familiarised yourself with the vibe, you were locked in, and what a rewarding listen it was. The main thing I take away is how fucking good Guys playing is. It’s not technical nor is it note perfect, but it’s full to bursting with emotion, and the heart and soul flowing through his fingers is a joy to hear.

‘Flawless’, then the title track, are majestic with wonderful performances from Spike. Fans of the Quireboys and Rock n Roll will love this album and enjoy every second of it from the cool storytelling of ‘Donnie To Sonny’ to the honking fuzz of ‘Orlando’, it’s a thunderous-sounding record that’s got that sparse production that lets everything breathe and lets the songs and the stories to be told in true rock n roll fashion. Closing the record off with the beautiful and dark ‘Black’ is haunting and soulful, and a perfect way to close off a wonderful record from some wonderfully talented people. Rest In Peace, Guy. Your legacy is in safe hands.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

THIRSTY QUIREBOYS – Competition

THIRSTY QUIREBOYS – Competition

THIRSTY QUIREBOYS “GOD BLESS AMERICA

 BEST OF THIRSTY” ALBUM NOW TO BE RELEASED 19TH JUNE 2026

FEATURING THE QUIREBOYS – SPIKE, GUY BAILEY, CHRIS JOHNSTONE

VINYL & CD PRE‑ORDERS NOW LIVE: Here

We’re running a competition for two lucky people to win a copy of the vinyl or CD and a T-shirt. All you have to do is email rpmonlinetcb@yahoo.com with the answer to this question –

What was the title of the debut album from the Quireboys?

Closing date is 7 O’Clock- Monday 15th June 2026

Thirsty Quireboys have confirmed a revised release date for the album ‘God Bless America – Best of Thirsty,’ now landing 19 June 2026.

The album – a powerful tribute to the late Guy Bailey featuring Spike, Bailey and Chris Johnstone – is available to pre‑order now on Blue Vinyl, Black Vinyl and Digipack CD.

This collection brings new life to Thirsty’s most evocative storytelling pieces, remixed under the ear of Chris Kimsey and showcasing Spike’s newly recorded vocal performances. Fans can secure their copies ahead of release, with early previews of “Mercury Rising”, “Flawless” and “Albatross” already generating strong excitement with fans.

Available formats: Blue Vinyl, Black Vinyl & Digipack CD

Thirsty Quireboys return with “God Bless America – Best of Thirsty”, a powerful new release honouring the life, work and unmistakable creative spirit of the late Guy Bailey – founder of The Quireboys, songwriter, guitarist, and the architect of Thirsty’s distinctive sound. The album will be released on the revised date of 19 June 2026, with vinyl and CD pre‑orders now available.

At the centre of the record is the haunting title track “God Bless America”, which recounts the devastating true story of Rosemary Kennedy – debutante, sister of JFK, and victim of a forced lobotomy ordered by her father, Joe Kennedy. Set to Irina D’s vivid, tightly focused lyrics and Bailey’s looping, discordant E‑minor motif, the track moves from romance to horror with stark elegance. Spike delivers one of the most emotionally charged vocal performances of his career as the narrative unfolds.

Bailey and Spike co‑founded The Quireboys, writing the songs that carried the band from Monday‑night pub gigs to global tours with The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses and Aerosmith, earning gold and platinum records along the way.

Thirsty began in 2014 when Bailey teamed up with Russian poet and lyricist Irina D, fusing his melodic instinct with her love of literature and storytelling. “I loved working with Guy on these songs. He was very well‑read and his home was always full of books – Master and Margarita, Last Exit To Brooklyn and Moby Dick. The first song we ever did was Donnie to Sonny. I showed him a poem I had written and, whenever the story resonated, Guy went away and set my words to music. It was beautiful.” — Irina D

Between 2015 and 2018, Thirsty released three critically acclaimed albums – Thirsty, Albatross and Nomad – featuring contributions from Simon Hanson (Squeeze, Death in Vegas), Chris Johnstone (The Quireboys), Lynne Jackaman (Saint Jude) and Kristi Kimsey. “I’ve known Guy for longer than I have been in Squeeze! He was a great friend — a fabulously talented musician and songwriter even though he always did his best to downplay this fact. The Thirsty thing really was unusual… Irina D would bring poems to Guy based on books and stories she had read – and Guy went away and set them to music. It was a bit like Elton John and Bernie Taupin in that respect.” – Simon Hanson

The new album began as a simple tribute conceived by Irina D, with Spike originally set to sing just one track, “10, 7 and Possibly 6.” But his first take stunned everyone in the studio, reigniting the old chemistry between his voice and Bailey’s guitar. “…to get the chance to make a record again with Guy was really special.” – Spike

What started as one song became a full, emotionally charged album — a rare posthumous reunion between two lifelong musical partners. Remixed and shaped under the ear of legendary Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey, the record brings new clarity, weight and emotional depth to the music Bailey created with Irina D. “Spike’s voice has always complemented Guy’s guitar playing perfectly. And the addition of one of the world’s best vocalists really complements and illuminates these songs. It was a really happy accident and I was delighted to be a part of it.” – Chris Kimsey

The album revisits some of Thirsty’s most ambitious storytelling pieces – from the mob‑world loyalty of “Donnie to Sonny”, to the jewel‑thief escapism of “Flawless”, the Coleridge‑inspired “Albatross”, the allegorical wanderer of “Chaos”, and the Virginia Woolf‑inspired “Orlando.” “…This was an important record for all of us — and he (Spike) made sure that his voice was sounding as good as it has ever done. The results speak for themselves.” – Chris Johnstone

God Bless America – Best of Thirsty stands as both a celebration and an evolution: a final collaboration between two great friends and a powerful new chapter in the Thirsty story. At its heart is the enduring creative spark of Guy Bailey – his melodies, his instinctive guitar work, and the stories he helped bring to life.

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God Bless Thirsty Quireboys

God Bless Thirsty Quireboys

GOD BLESS AMERICA –

BEST OF THIRSTY

FEATURING THE QUIREBOYS – SPIKE, GUY BAILEY, CHRIS JOHNSTONE 

RELEASED JUNE 5th 2026

Pre-Order Here

London-based rock project Thirsty Quireboys return with God Bless America, a striking release that celebrates the life, work and unmistakable creative spirit of the late Guy Bailey – founder of The Quireboys, songwriter, guitarist, and the architect of Thirsty’s distinctive sound. The album will be released June 5th 2026.

The title song God Bless America recounts the devastating real story of Rosemary Kennedy, sister of JFK: presented as a debutante to the Royal Family, later forcibly lobotomised on the insistence of her father, Joe Kennedy. During the operation, fully conscious, she was asked to sing God Bless America. When she stopped, so did they. Set to Irina D’s vivid, tightly focused lyrics and Guy’s haunting guitar motif, the track moves from romance to horror with stark elegance. Spike delivers one of the most emotionally charged vocal performances of his career, rising from tenderness to raw intensity as the narrative unfolds. Musically, Bailey’s use of discordant, looping E-minor phrases functions as an allegorical unravelling of the American Dream, echoing the spirit of Hendrix’s Star-Spangled Banner and the subversive grit of Springsteen’s Born in the USA.

Guy Bailey and Spike co‑founded The Quireboys, writing the songs that took the band from Monday-night pub gigs to being managed by Sharon Osborne and global tours with The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses and Aerosmith, earning gold and platinum records along the way.

Guy Bailey’s solo project “Thirsty” began early in 2014 when he began working with Russian poet and lyricist Irina D. Their collaboration fused Bailey’s song-writing genius with Irina’s passion for storytelling and literature. Favourite novels, poems and real-life histories were framed and retold in three-minute songs, each lovingly produced by Chris Kimsey. Irina D: “I loved working with Guy on these songs. He was very well-read and his home was always full of books – Master and Margarita, Last Exit To Brooklyn and Moby Dick. The first song we ever did was Donnie to Sonny. I showed him a poem I had written and, whenever the story resonated, Guy went away and set my words to music. It was beautiful.”

Thirsty absolutely embraced the discipline of the classic song format. Within that tight frame, Bailey and Irina D crafted miniature cinematic worlds: each track a distilled portrait of a life, a myth, or a moment of human truth. Between 2015 and 2018, they released three critically acclaimed albums: Thirsty, Albatross and Nomad, featuring contributions from top-tier musicians including Simon Hanson (Squeeze, Death in Vegas), Chris Johnstone (The Quireboys), Lynne Jackaman (Saint Jude), and Kristi Kimsey. Drummer Simon Hansen “I’ve known Guy for longer than I have been in Squeeze! He was a great friend – a fabulously talented musician and songwriter even though he always did his best to downplay this fact. The Thirsty thing really was unusual. Irina D would bring poems to Guy based on books and stories she had read – and Guy went away set them to music. It was a bit like Elton John and Bernie Taupin in that respect.”

Originally, the new album was the brainchild of Irina D and was conceived as a simple tribute: Spike would sing just one track, ‘10 7 and Possibly 6’. But his first take stunned everyone in the studio, Guy’s guitar and Spike’s voice locked together with the force of old chemistry reignited. What began as one song quickly became a full, emotionally charged album. Spike himself says “…to get the chance to make a record again with Guy was really special.”

More than a compilation, God Bless America is a rare and unexpected reunion: a posthumous collaboration between Guy Bailey and his longtime friend and musical partner Spike (The Quireboys), reimagining Bailey’s songs through new vocals and powerful duets. Remixed and shaped under the ear of legendary Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey, the album brings new clarity, weight and emotional depth to the music Bailey created with co-writer Irina D. As Chris says,“Spike’s voice has always complemented Guy’s guitar playing perfectly. And the addition of one of the world’s best vocalists really complements and illuminates these songs. It was a really happy accident and I was delighted to be a part of it”

In addition to the title track, the album revisits some of Thirsty’s most beloved and most ambitious storytelling pieces: “Donnie to Sonny”– the true-life bond between mobster Sonny Black and undercover FBI agent Joe Pistone (Donnie Brasco). “Flawless” – a jewel thief’s escape, inspired by To Catch a Thief and the 2013 Cannes jewellery heist. “Albatross” – a vivid reimagining of Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner. “Chaos” – Guy Bailey reciting Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress to introduce a modern allegorical wanderer. “Orlando” – a musical transformation of Virginia Woolf’s gender-shifting hero/ine. Each track has been re‑voiced, remixed and revitalised under Chris Kimsey’s direction, creating incredible versions of Thirsty’s strongest work. Chris Johnstone (bass) agrees “…This was an important record for all of us – and he (Spike) made sure that his voice was sounding as good as it has ever done. The results speak for themselves. “

God Bless America – Best Of Thirsty stands as both a celebration and an evolution: a final collaboration between two great friends and lifelong musical partners, and a new chapter in the ongoing story of Thirsty. At its heart is the enduring creative spark of Guy Bailey—his melodies, his instinctive guitar work, and the stories he helped bring to life. Through Spike’s vocals, Irina’s writing, and Chris Kimsey’s guidance, the album cements his legacy while allowing the songs to breathe in a new and powerful way.

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Gone But Not Forgotten Guy Bailey R.I.P

Gone But Not Forgotten Guy Bailey R.I.P

With the sad passing of Guy let’s celebrate his life and what he left for us to enjoy. Such a talented down to earth bloke and judging by the outpouring on social media a true gentleman with a heart of gold. Rock on brother wherever you may roam.