The Clancy Brothers
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The Clancy Brothers were an Irish folk music singing group, most popular in the 1960s, who are often credited with popularizing Irish traditional music in the United States. The brothers were Pat, Tom, and Liam. Though born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland, they did not begin playing together until they emigrated to the United States where, in 1955, they met Tommy Makem in New York City. For years the quartet performed as The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.
The four were primarily vocalists, though Makem was an accomplished banjo and tin whistle player, and Liam played guitar. Pat would sometimes play harmonica. Nevertheless they often were accompanied by other musicians, notably Pete Seeger on several occasions. They began playing at small clubs in Greenwich Village, but as their popularity grew so did their venues. By 1962 they played Carnegie Hall.
Their popularity is the result of several factors. There was already an American folk revival beginning in the United States, and men such as Ewan MacColl popularizing old songs on the other side of the Atlantic. But it was the Clancy's boisterous performances that set them apart, taking placid classics such as "Brennan on the Moor" and giving them a boost of energy and spirit (not that they took this approach with all their songs; they would still sing the true mournful ballads with due reverence).
In 1961 they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, playing a double set after the last minute cancellation of another act. They were a resounding success. Two years later they performed for President John F. Kennedy at the White House.
The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem recorded more than 50 albums together, starting with The Rising of the Moon (also known as Irish Songs of Rebellion) in 1956. In 1975 the band split up. Liam and Tommy Makem reformed as the duo Makem and Clancy and released several albums, while the remaining brothers were joined by their other brother, Bobby, and their nephew, the accomplished musician Robbie O'Connell. However, the original line-up did reform for special concerts, notably in 1984. The original three brothers have also recorded with other artists, notably Lou Killen.
After Tom died in 1990 he was replaced by Bobby, and the Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell continued to tour the world. In 1998 Pat died. From 1996 through 1999, Liam and O'Connell toured as Clancy, O'Connell, & Clancy, with Donal Clancy of the next generation of the Clancys.
The group's trademark was their cream Irish wool Aran sweaters, originally knitted by their mother, which they wore on nearly all their album covers, but not necessarily their live performances.
Partial discography
With Tommy Makem
- The Rising of the Moon (or Irish Songs of Rebellion)
- Come Fill Your Glass With Us (or Irish Drinking Songs)
- The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
- Hearty and Hellish
- The Boys Won't Leave the Girls Alone
- Sing of the Sea
- In Person at Carnegie Hall
- The First Hurrah!
- Live in Ireland
- Isn't it Grand, Boys
- Freedom's Sons
- The Bold Fenian Men
- Home, Boys, Home
- In Concert
- Reunion
With Lou Killen
- Show Me the Way
- The Best of the Clancy Brothers
Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem
- The Makem and Clancy Connection
- Two for the Early Dew
- Tommy Makem & Liam Clancy
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