Licorice McKechnie

Who is Licorice McKechnie?

Christina 'Licorice' McKechnie is a Scottish musician. She was a singer and songwriter in the Incredible String Band between 1968 and 1972.

After reading her poetry at folk clubs in Edinburgh, she met musician Robin Williamson, but left home in her teens with the intention of marrying Bert Jansch. The banns were published but the wedding never took place. Jansch left her behind to travel to Morocco in 1963, and, according to Williamson, "she fell into [his] arms". In 1966 she travelled to Morocco with Williamson, and was later involved in the Incredible String Band's recordings - for example, saying the words "Amoebas are very small" on The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter. By 1968, she was regarded as a full-fledged member of the band, usually as a backing singer and percussionist. She appeared with the band when they played at the Woodstock Festival in August 1969, but left in 1972 after the end of her relationship with Williamson.

In 1974, Licorice appeared onstage at a Scientology benefit in East Grinstead with Mike Garson, Woody Woodmansey, Leonard Halliwell and others, before moving to California and joining The Silver Moon Band. She married musician Brian Lambert and later appeared with Robin Williamson with his Merry Band in 1977 before joining Woody Woodmansey's band U-Boat. She and Lambert later divorced.