Barney McKenna of The Dubliners dies aged 72
Written by admin on April 5, 2012 – 4:24 pm -Barney McKenna, founding member of Irish folk pioneers The Dubliners and renowned banjo and mandolin player, died unexpectedly at his home in Dublin this morning. He was 72.
 |
McKenna was the only surviving member of The Dubliners, which was formed with Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Ciarán Bourke in 1962 and initially known as “The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group”. After building a reputation playing at O’Donoghue’s Pub in Dublin, the group played the Edinburgh Festival in 1963, which led to an appearance on the BBC’s Hootenanny and a recording contract with Transatlantic Records. |
Although never a massive chart force, The Dubliners had several hit singles in the 1960s, including “Seven Drunken Nights,” “The Black Velvet Band” and “Maids, When You’re Young Never Wed an Old Man.” The group also had a number of very high profile fans, including Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix.
After years away from the charts, The Dubliners’ collaborated with The Pogues on the hit single “The Irish Rover” in 1987, which reached number eight on the UK singles chart. A subsequent collaboration with The Pogues on “Jack’s Heroes/Whiskey in the Jar” in 1990 would be The Dubliner final charting single, peaking at number 63.
Barney McKenna continued to perform with The Dubliners until near the end, celebrating the 50th anniversary with a series of concerts in Christ Church Cathedral in January. The following month, he was there pick up The Dubliners’ “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 2012 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Eamon Campbell of The Dubliners has said:
| “I can’t come to terms with the suddenness of it. He was unique, there will never be another Barney. He was very droll man and great company. You’d never know what he’d come out with next. He was just a great guy. My favourite song that he sang was ‘I’m a man you don’t meet every day’ and that was true about Barney.” |
Popular Irish musician, Imelda May, has commented on McKenna’s death via Facebook:
| “I’m very sorry to hear the sad news about Barney McKenna, a great man, great musician, great story teller and all round legend. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends, family and band mates at this sad time. RIP Barney McKenna x.” |
Banjo player and broadcaster, Ciaran Hanrahan, has also paid tribute to McKenna:
| “From a musical pont of view, he was the single most important figure in the development of the tenor banjo in traditional music. It was not used up until the 1960s. He popularised it. He inspired a whole generation…On a personal level he was such a decent, generous, humble man. He wore his talent very lightly.” |
Barney McKenna is survived by his partner Tina, his sister Marie, his brother Séan Og, and his nephews and nieces.
Barney McKenna – Banjo medley
Tags: Barney McKenna, Barney McKenna death, The Dubliners
Posted in Folk, Obituaries |
