Barnie Sutton![]()
Barnie Sutton is the dynamic and dedicated lead guitarist of Applejack. He's also an vital part of the songwriting trio between rhythm guitarist Don Collings and lead singer/his best friend Warren Kipner. When it comes to speaking for the group, he takes a second-in-command role behind Warren. Behind the curtain, however, he handles many of the group's finances and tour schedules.
A Deeper Look:
Barnie Sutton was born in London, England on July 26th, 1949. Prior to becoming the lead guitarist of Applejack, he quite literally bumped into Warren Kipner in 1968 during a small performance of a local pop group. As the story goes, Warren accidentally spilled his drink, Barnie offered to buy him a new one, and the two chatted briefly before Rob Henson dragged Warren back into the crowd. At the time, Barnie had left another job as a stocker at a small grocery store and was desperate to be seen for more than just his class or skin color. In between supporting his family, he was able to afford his first guitar a few years prior and was attracted to the increasingly inclusive pop music scene. He avoided the psychedelic crowd as much as possible, however. He had seen what drugs and alcohol had done to his older siblings and peers from his neighborhood, seen how the majority assumed his skin meant he was just like them, and was desperate to prove that this wasn't true. Perhaps this was why he felt so attracted to Warren and his somewhat naive love for the music for music's sake. Barnie would later brave being the first to reach out to him after the incident and, after much deliberation, convinced him to join as the lead singer.
Although Warren would soon become the face of the band, it was Barnie who got the members together, all originating from different parts of England and coming to London for their own reasons. Barnie would also manage the group's finances with strict frugality. No fancy vacations or hotel rooms. No overpriced costumes or restaurants. Far into Applejack's hay day, he'd continue to live in a small apartment down the hall from Warren just in case the singer ever needed anything. He was never one for putting up a front of prestige, although some considered the miniscule role that his culture played in his image a front in itself.
That being said, Barnie always radiated a confident and energetic air, especially on the stage. He would frequently jump around, swinging his guitar, running up to join Warren at his mic. The public could tell that the two had an extremely close friendship but it went even deeper than that. In the face of war, political turmoil, and all of the hardships that came with being famous, Warren's innocence gave Barnie hope for humanity and he wanted to protect it at all costs. But he constantly battled the fear of becoming too protective and lashing out. On occasion, his temper would reveal itself in him shouting away pushy journalists or rude strangers during the band's already stressful tours. No testimonies about these events would go far beyond vague rumors and, to the public, Barnie seemed endlessly patient and kind. He intended to keep it that way.
Unfortunately, though, his attempts to protect Warren weren't enough to prevent what happened in the cusp of 1974. He would remain the only one who knew what happened between him and Dottie, causing him to have a much more tainted view of their fanbase. In no small part, he blamed himself, too. If he had just tried a little harder to push her away from him, then maybe Warren would still be happy.
In any case, though, their relationship began to drift as soon as Warren got the band back together in 1976. Barnie could automatically tell that he was attempting to assert agency with his image, but in his eyes, this was not the way to do it. Warren was becoming something so unrecognizable that it was hurting himself and the band. Although Warren initially took tight control of the band, he seemed to be keeping some sort of secret from Barnie that made him isolate himself from Applejack more and more. Soon it was Barnie in charge, speaking for the band and planning the singles, tours, promotions, etc all by himself. It was not a position he wanted.
Nevertheless, he still seemed the same energetic rocker that he was before on the outside if just a bit more serious, donning a new mustache and an afro as he became more confident in dressing how he wanted to. Indeed, the late '70s brought some positive changes in the culture. But as long as Warren was refusing to talk to him, the music was soured. Barnie's temper began to take control of him more and more, a sure consequence of his all-the-while increasing hatred for Dottie, the fans like her, and the entire music industry.
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