[PAULYBEE2656]

Dubliners singer Ronnie Drew dies at 73

 

Dubliners singer Ronnie Drew has died following a long illness at the age of 73.
Drew, originally from Dun Laoghaire, had been an iconic figure on the traditional music scene in Ireland for over five decades.
He died at St Vincent's Private Hospital in Dublin at 2pm today, according to a statement released by the hospital on behalf of the family.
Drew founded the then-Ronnie Drew Group in 1962 which later came to be known as The Dubliners.


The group included fellow Irish music legends Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke and Barney McKenna.
They emerged from back room sessions in the O’Donoghues Pub in Dublin to become world-renowned.
While Kelly was known for singing their soulful ballads, Drew will be best remembered for his gravelly-voiced renditions of rabble-rousing folk songs, like Finnegan’s Wake and Dicey Reilly.
Drew sang one of the band’s biggest commercial hits, when they entered the UK top 10 in 1967 with Seven Drunken Nights and appeared on the BBC’s Top of the Pops .


In 1995 they appeared once again on the show with Shane McGowan and the Pogues, who performed with Drew on their single The Irish Rover.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen led the tributes to the singer today, saying his unique singing voice was loved and admired by many people.
Mr Cowen said: “Ronnie, whether as part of The Dubliners, or during his solo career, will also be remembered for his promotion of Irish music both at home and around the world.


“He bore his illness with bravery and will be sadly missed," he added.
In a statement on U2’s official website, Bono said Drew has left his earthly tour for one of the heavens.
“Music to inspire, to console... an optimism that was contagious... that’s what U2 took from The Dubliners,” he said.
“Ronnie has left his earthly tour for one of the heavens... they need him up there... it’s a little too quiet and pious.
“God is lonely for a voice louder than His own.”
Earlier this year, U2, Sinead O’Connor, Shane McGowan, Christy Moore and others came together to record a tribute to the singer, called The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew.


All profits from the release of the single went to the Irish Cancer Society.
Speaking at the time of the recording, U2 frontman Bono said: “Ronnie is like the King of Ireland, and we are his subjects.
“This is a big fight for him. But like any fighter, it’s easier if there’s a crowd cheering.”


THE IRISH ROVER


MC ALPINES FUSILLERS

[blunderbuss]

I went through a spell of liking Oirish music, around the time that The Waterboys and Hothouse Flowers were doing their celtic thing. The Pogues' collaboration with The Dubliners was a highlight of that period, and their "Irish Rover" can still send shivers up my spine.

RIP, Ronnie.

[PAULYBEE2656]

the waterboys arent even irish.. neither are the pouges come to think of it! check out planxty and kila for real irish jam fests! awesome musicianship!

[Everyneurotic]

ohh man, that sucks.

[MellySingsDoom]

RIP to the Big Man - gave so much to the world, but totally self-effacing too.

[Pookie]

We were having a family dance to The Dubliners only a few days ago.

[atari 2600]

I know Liam Clancy (The Clancy Bros.) from Scorscese's "No Direction Home" doc about Dylan, but am ashamedly unfamiliar with Ronnie Drew's music.

[demonrail666]

You wouldn't be saying that if you had to endure the fucker's eight million albums every christmas as a kid.

[Semperet]

Two stories:
1. Ronnie was in Germany when a young U2 appeared in the bar. Edge reported on the Late Late special mentioned above that Ronnie went over and said "You may not know me but my daughter loves your music and it would be an honour and a privelige for me to tell her you bought me a pint".
2. When a supposedly-on the wagon Ronnie ordered a Gin and Tonic a punter questioned his choice: "I have the odd Gin and Tonic. It keeps my mind on my own fucking business".
A hugely entertaining and talented man, and a nice bloke to boot. RIP.

[PAULYBEE2656]

ha! i lke the last one.. down to motherfucking earth!!! he is indeed a legend..

shame that song all the irish stars did a few months ago was absolutly god awful!

[gmku]

Man, what is it with older men and facial hair? Do they enjoy looking like hillbillies?

[Semperet]

Did you know, a Phaulie B, that the lyrics for that Godawful song The Ballad of Ronnie Drew (check U2.com if the rest of ye don't know of it) were written by Bono and Robert Hunter, the bloke who wrote lyrics for Garcia's music throughout the illustrious career of the wonderful Grateful Dead?
I still don't know how that came about. Bono professed himself a longterm fan, but I can't see him spinning in the foyer at the Warfield, myself.

[PAULYBEE2656]

strange how the mighty has fallen because that is one of the worst written songs ever.. sentment aside, it is awful!

[jetengine]

'Will You Come to the Bower', 'I'll Tell Me Ma' and 'Off to Dublin in the Green' stand out for me.