NPR: Tommy Makem Dies in New Hampshire

Tommy Makem Dies in New Hampshire

In the midst of all the news about the bridge collapse in Minnesota, my friend Dave Beard at Boston.com sent me an e-mail to tell me that Tommy Makem had finally succumbed to lung cancer.

When I was a kid in the '60s, my house was filled with music, primarily coming from my dad's record player. We listened to Sinatra, Fitzgerald, Count Basie and Vaughn. But more than any other musician or group, we listened to the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.

As All Things Considered reports, the group became a part of the folk music revival in the '60s, specializing in, of course, Irish music, which they played a key role in popularizing in America.

And we had every record. Their concert at Carnegie Hall. Their concert back in Ireland. All their studio albums. I knew their songs by heart, and years later, when my brothers and I formed a college folk band, we sang many of their songs and chanted their ditties at the tops of our lungs: "Up the long ladder and down the short rope, to hell with King Billy and God bless the pope, if that doesn't do, we'll tear 'em in two and send 'em to hell with their red, white and blue."

My house was a touch republican.

In the old days, my brothers and I would hold a wake whenever a great musician died. Over the years, we held wakes for Harry Chapin, Stan Rogers, Jim Croce and John Lennon, to name few. We may all be in separate places now, but tonight we will lift a parting glass to Tommy Makem.

5:16 PM ET | 08- 2-2007 | permalink

Comments

For me at that time it was the Beatles, and Clancy Bros. w/T.Makem, not necessarily in that order. Tommy, may you be in Heaven 1/2 hour before the Devil knows you're dead.

Sent by JKR | 6:16 PM ET | 08-02-2007

The Bard of the County Armagh is the main attraction at the session in heaven tonight.

Sent by Sheialah Rafferty | 8:08 PM ET | 08-02-2007

I'll be tipping a pint to Tommies shade.

Sent by Jim Carpenter | 8:42 AM ET | 08-03-2007

From a native of the Celtic Brittany France, Tommy Makem and the Clancy brothers were always part of the music...another great one departs but leaves many songs to remember.

Sent by Francois de La Begassiere | 8:44 AM ET | 08-03-2007

I had the same experience growing up in Pittsburgh. My grandfather, a native of Connemara, loved the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem and we spent many a Sunday afternoon listening to their records.

I was fortunate enough to see Tommy perform in Dallas at the Irish festival many years ago, and his sons are carrying on the tradition.

My husband and I headed to our favorite Irish pub in Richmond last night to tip a pint in Tommy's memory and listen to the band perform some of his standards.

Sent by SCM | 11:29 AM ET | 08-03-2007

I first met and heard Tommy perform back in the early 70's with the Clancy's and later on his own. He was indeed the impetus for the birth of Irisk/Folk music in America. He began back in the late 50's and continued in concert hall and pub until recently. In earlier times I played in a few Irisk Folk bands in the 70's though the early 90's; Burke & Kelley, County Lyne, and The Irish Volunteers. Tommy was an inspiration and mentor to me. He greatly inflenced my style of singing. I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing. I didn't know of his illness and struggle with Cancer. He was a great Irishmen and American and will be sorely missed. None the less, Bail ?? Dhia ort. Ar dheis D?? go raibh a anam.

Bill Burke

Sent by William J. Burke | 11:56 AM ET | 08-03-2007

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