The family of Dundee’s forgotten guitar hero Jim Kelly have taken part in a poignant Christmas tribute to their late relative.
The Honeybus guitarist’s family gathered in Dundee to listen to his songs to mark 23 years since his death aged 49 on Boxing Day 1995.
They also put up a wreath at his graveside which is in Balgay Cemetery.
The family said they were delighted this year’s 50th anniversary of Honeybus has led to more people discovering Jim’s back catalogue including his 1969 solo single, Mary Mary.
The highly-acclaimed Honeybus 1969 LP Story was also released to mark the anniversary while Jim’s guitar playing was heard again on Colin Hare’s solo album.
Hare, who wrote songs for David Bowie and played in Honeybus with Jim, included a reworking of Walking Aphrodisiac from a Honeybus BBC session in 1968, featuring Jim on guitar.
Jim’s nephew Pat said: “It is hard to believe that this year is the 50th anniversary of Jim joining the Honeybus.
“Sadly, he died on Boxing Day 1995 but this year was special as we were listening to his classy vocal and his whistful guitar playing on that day.
“I do miss him dearly and thank him for all the guitar lessons he gave me as a boy.
“The family are so delighted that his legacy and music lives on.”
Honeybus are principally remembered for their 1968 hit I Can’t Let Maggie Go.
But arguably much of their best work was made shortly after that breakthrough when Jim joined.
Pat said he has an original copy of the 1969 LP Story which is now worth over £200.
“I am pleased Jim is being heard by a new generation of fans. Jim was a unique player who sadly never got breaks.
“He came back from London after the break up of the Honeybus.
“I am sure if he stuck it out down there he would have been in huge demand by various bands.
“But it was not to be sadly.
“He came home too soon.”
Friends with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, Jim’s guitar playing was compared to former Beatle George Harrison but his name remains largely forgotten in Dundee music folklore.
Jim was born in Dundee and moved to London in the late 1960s to further his musical career.
He joined Honeybus in 1968 who were riding on the crest of a wave after their top 10 hit ‘I Can’t Let Maggie Go’.
Jim’s solo single ‘Mary, Mary’ was released in 1969 and although it never charted collectors will pay anything from £60 to £200 for a copy.
Music mogul Terry Noon, who worked with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, previously said Jim was in the same mould as the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy) and Eric Clapton.
