Angela McCluskey dead at 64: Scottish singer famed for Wild Colonials and work in Télépopmusik’s Breathe … as Shirley Manson and Rain Phoenix lead tributes

Scottish-born singer-songwriter Angela McCluskey has died aged 64.

The Santa Monica, California-based NPR affiliate KCRW reported news of the singer’s death on Tuesday and reflected on her decades-long career in the music industry.

McCluskey’s most notable success came with the musical ensemble Wild Colonials, and she achieved international success with her vocals on 2001 Télépop music track Breathe.

A statement on an Instagram page attributed to McCluskey under the handle @angelamccluskeymusic confirmed the sad news in a post Thursday night.

It said: “The spark is gone but the love lives on” We are heartbroken to tell you that our beloved Angela McCluskey has left us to be with her fellow angels.

“Never has anyone lived life more fully, loved more generously, sung more… well, just… more. Angela sang as she breathed. Her life was a song and she was music.’

The statement continued: ‘She will be missed more than any of us can say, but our love for her and her love for her beloved Paul, her siblings Gerard, Alan and Muriel, and all her family and friends will live on forever. Please light a candle for our treasure.’

McCluskey’s loved ones said they ‘started a Go to Fund page to help raise funds for medical and personal expenses.’

McCluskey and her husband Paul Cantelon formed the Wild Colonials in 1992 with musician Scott Roewe and guitarist Shark, according to KCRW.

The Wild Colonials formed after a jam session in Hollywood at Café Beckett, KCRW reported. They often played shows at the venue Molly Malone’s and played weekly gigs at Café Largo.

The band was eventually signed by DGC/Geffen and released a pair of albums, 1994’s Fruit of Life and 1996’s This Can’t Be Life.

McCluskey moved to Paris, where she began collaborating in 2001 with the musical ensemble Télépopmusik. Their track Breathe, released in 2001, got a spot on Billboard Hot 100 and a Grammy nod in 2004.

McCluskey released a solo album titled The Things We Do in 2004, KCRW reported, noting that her last work was 2021’s EP Between Ourselves.

Actors such as actor Rain Phoenix and Garbage singer Shirley Manson took to social media to pay tribute to the late musical artist.

Phoenix, 51, shared throwback photos of the talented musician, who she described as ‘a very truthful and loyal friend.’

Phoenix said: ‘Rest in power dear Angela … a generous no nonsense powerhouse, with effortless style, wicked humor and a voice most beautiful – there will never be another.’

A caption on the Instagram stories of the band Garbage, fronted by singer Shirley Manson, read: ‘Darling…I’m brokenhearted’.

Manson, 57, called McCluskey ‘a Scottish treasure’ and ‘a world-class talent’ in the memorial, which was written over a picture of the late singer.

‘A wildly irreverent, generous loving soul who practiced kindness in all the dark places,’ the memorial read. ‘I love you. My sincere condolences to all who love you. Especially to your handsome Prince Paul.’