IRISH SINGER TOMMY MAKEM DIES AGE 74
Many years ago I saw Tommy Makem perform with the Clancy Brothers in Auckland, New Zealand on two occasions and have been a great fan ever since.
I have half a dozen CD's featuring the Clancy Brothers with Tommy which often get played. Wonderful sentimental Irish ballads.
The following report is from Associated Press:
Acclaimed Irish singer, songwriter and storyteller Tommy Makem has died of cancer, ending a worldwide entertainment career that spanned more than five decades. He was 74.
"It is with great sadness that I have to report Tommy Makem passed away tonight after a long bout with lung cancer," said a message posted on his web site Wednesday night.
Makem died in Dover, New Hampshire, where he lived.
Makem grew to international fame while performing with the band The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem in the late 1950s and 1960s.
Makem grew to international fame while performing with the band The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem in the late 1950s and 1960s.
President Mary McAleese of Ireland led the tributes, saying Makem brought happiness and joy to fans all over the world.
"Always the consummate musician, he was also a superb ambassador for the country, and one of whom we will always be proud," McAleese said.
"Always the consummate musician, he was also a superb ambassador for the country, and one of whom we will always be proud," McAleese said.
Liam Clancy also remembered his life-long music partner.
"Tommy was a man of high integrity, honesty, and his courage really shone through towards the end," he told RTE Radio in Dublin, Ireland.
Clancy and Makem teamed up after emigrating to the United States from Ireland in the late 1950s where they began careers in acting, before turning to music.
"Tommy was a man of high integrity, honesty, and his courage really shone through towards the end," he told RTE Radio in Dublin, Ireland.
Clancy and Makem teamed up after emigrating to the United States from Ireland in the late 1950s where they began careers in acting, before turning to music.
Armed with his banjo, tinwhistle, poetry, stagecraft and his baritone voice, Makem helped spread stories and songs of Irish culture around the world.
"He just had the knack of making an audience laugh or cry... holding them in his hands," Clancy said.
"He just had the knack of making an audience laugh or cry... holding them in his hands," Clancy said.
In New Hampshire, Makem performed at the Statehouse this year for Gov. John Lynch's inaugural celebration.
"It was known that he was not well, yet he played with typical passion and wit, evoking tears of joy and sadness from those assembled," Lynch said on Thursday.
He called Makem a state, national and international treasure.
"With a strong voice and even stronger spirit, Tommy inspired millions," Lynch said.
"It was known that he was not well, yet he played with typical passion and wit, evoking tears of joy and sadness from those assembled," Lynch said on Thursday.
He called Makem a state, national and international treasure.
"With a strong voice and even stronger spirit, Tommy inspired millions," Lynch said.
An ailing Makem visited Belfast last month to receive an honorary degree from the University of Ulster and returned to his native Armagh.
Makem was best known for songs such as The Green Fields of France, Gentle Annie and Red is the Rose.
Makem was best known for songs such as The Green Fields of France, Gentle Annie and Red is the Rose.
With the Clancy Brothers, he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, the Tonight Show and on every major television network show in the United States, and they soon became the four most famous Irishmen in the world, according to a biography on his web site.
They played to audiences from New York's Carnegie Hall and London's Royal Albert Hall to every major concert venue in the English-speaking world.
Even while battling cancer, Makem was maintaining a performance schedule, with gigs listed through this fall.
They played to audiences from New York's Carnegie Hall and London's Royal Albert Hall to every major concert venue in the English-speaking world.
Even while battling cancer, Makem was maintaining a performance schedule, with gigs listed through this fall.
His web site reported that Makem once was asked if he planned to retire.
"Yes, of course," he said. "I retire every night and in the morning when I awake I realize just how lucky and privileged I am to be able to continue doing the things I love to do."
"Yes, of course," he said. "I retire every night and in the morning when I awake I realize just how lucky and privileged I am to be able to continue doing the things I love to do."
And on Wikipedia.
R.I.P. Tommy, and thanks for all the music.
I wanted to let you know that on Saturday, August 11, The 2007 ICONS Festival will host a tribute to world-acclaimed Irish Singer Tommy Makem, who passed away earlier this week. The tribute will take place at 8:00 PM at the Abbey Stage on the festival grounds in Canton, Massachusetts.
ReplyDeleteMakem was originally listed as part of the line-up for the 2007 ICONS Festival, which celebrates the Irish culture through music, dance, literature, sports and much more, but because of poor health, he had to withdraw from the lineup several weeks ago. Now,
noted Irish musician and recording artist Mick Moloney and Irish Echo columnist Earle Hitchner will host the tribute which will feature performances from Irish singers Niamh Parsons, Jimmy Crowley, Heidi Talbot of the group Cherish the Ladies, and Cathy Jordan of the Sligo-based band Dervish.
If you are interested in attending the ICONS festival and the tribute, please visit our website at www.iconsfestival.com for more details.