Celtic Radio Community [Powered by Invision Power Board]

Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format

Celtic Radio Community > Celtic Radio > Green Fields Of Tommy Makem

Posted by: itsmewendylee 02-Aug-2007, 07:00 AM

I received this email today:

From Ed Ward/Milwaukee Irish Festival

Hello friends - it's a sad day today as Irish music has lost it's most passionate and ardent advocate. Tommy Makem passed away tonight at 7 p.m. after what I would have to call a heroic struggle to maintain his life style, love of music and performing, and contact with his many admirers and friends. He battled his cancer in his own way and fought it bravely and without complaints. "Ever onward and upward' he would say. I spoke to him about 2 weeks ago the day after he returned from Ireland. We talked for about a half an hour about his trip, how wonderful it was to see the parade of people who came to visit him in the hotel, relatives, old friends, the archbishop. He said he was very sad when he boarded a plane to leave Ireland - clearly knowing he would not see it again. He desperately wanted to make it to Milwaukee this year so we discussed plans on what we would do as it was evident he would not be able to perform. But he planned to be there anyway.

We are going ahead with these plans and Tommy's slots will be billed as "REMEMBERING TOMMY MAKEM" and will be led by his nephews Tom and Jimmy Sweeney, Brian Doherty, Kevin Evans and Eugene Byrne and other close friends. The Makem and Spain Brothers will also be in Milwaukee so it should be a special celebration of Toomy's life and love for the music of Ireland.

Posted by: maggiemahone1 02-Aug-2007, 09:34 AM

yes indeed a very sad day!!!

maggiemahone1

Posted by: Rindy 02-Aug-2007, 03:26 PM

This is very sad news. Thanks for posting that itsmewendylee.

Posted by: Robert Phoenix 02-Aug-2007, 09:34 PM

Sad news indeed. Had the pleasure of talking to him for a few minutes about Irish music my first year at Irishfest culture tent without even realizing who he was. Later he was the preformer before Gaelic Storm and after that we would watch him every year. He was one of the few entertainers that truly had class.
There will be some mighty craic in heaven tonight.

Posted by: CelticRadio 03-Aug-2007, 09:15 PM

Let us all take a moment to reflect on the passing of a great Legend in Irish music - Tommy Makem.

He passed away on August 1st due to lung cancer in his home in Dover, New Hampshire. He gained international fame in the 50s and 60s when he teamed up with the Clancy Brothers.

Tommy Makem was born in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, and learned to sing from his mother, who knew hundreds of folk songs and tales in the Irish oral tradition.

Read more from the Washinton Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/02/AR2007080202290.html

or the Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2007/08/03/the_green_fields_of_tommy_makem/?p1=MEWell_Pos3

Posted by: Emmet 04-Aug-2007, 12:50 AM

He's in a smokey pub in Fiddler's Green singing Rebel tunes with Tom and Paddy, a half-finished pint on the stool next to him; I'm sure it's a joyous reunion, and the craic's absolutely magnificent!

Here's a brimming parting glass to you Tommy, thanks for all of the tunes you've given us over all these years.

Posted by: Robert Phoenix 04-Aug-2007, 10:19 AM

Tommy was a first class entertainer. He would sing every year at Irishfest and seem to bring a new song, along with its background, with him each time. And it never failed but that song would end up on most of the new CDs from other Irish groups that following year. His contributions were limitless and his story and jokes were timeless. We saw him every year and now we will miss him every year.

Slainte Tommy. God rest your soul.

Posted by: Donajhi 04-Aug-2007, 11:15 AM

How sad, he will be missed.

Posted by: TandVh 04-Aug-2007, 01:17 PM

Musician / poets live in a world of melodic perception unkown by most of us in the everyday world, however, fortunately for us, they choose to (or maybe are driven to) share it with us in the world because it overwhelmes their souls and we all are fortunate enough to benefit from thier need to create and share!

He is still creating music where he's at and if we listen very carefully, it still shines through to delight our hearts.

Thank you so much Tommy- here's a pint to ya!

Posted by: pflanary 06-Aug-2007, 10:00 AM

I feel like a big chunk of my childhood has been lost. The first Irish music I can remember hearing was a much-loved, much-played phonograph record of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Maken at Carnigie Hall.

Posted by: SkipJack 06-Aug-2007, 07:50 PM

I thought I would add the article from Makem's home town paper.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070802/FOSTERS01/108020415

Posted by: parkers1 20-Aug-2007, 01:39 PM

Aye tis sad - for one I will miss his music. I nominate him for artist of 2007 and submit his songs for nomination for the 2007 music awards.

Posted by: Senara 20-Aug-2007, 02:00 PM

Milwaukee's IrishFest this year was dedicated to Tommy Makem. The final show, the Scattering was traditionally Tommy's show to run. This year however it was much more a collaborative effort. The entire weekend ran without anyone singing Four Green Fields until the time of the scattering. Tom Sweeney did the bit of poetry that Tommy would do in a show, and then Rory Makem sang in his father's absence. It was tough for Rory (and some of the crowd) to get through the song. The rest of the entertainers on the stage either had their heads bowed in a prayer or looked up to the heavens with a tear in their eye. It was a truely grand send off for an amazing musician. Tommy got his final standing ovation once Rory finished.

Definately a memory (among many I have of his performances) I will not soon forget.

I second Parkers motion to nominate Tommy Makem for the Celtic Artist awards...and would suggest Four Green Fields for the song used.

Posted by: Robert Phoenix 21-Aug-2007, 09:44 PM

The tribute at Irishfest was a grand sight indeed. I'll third that nomination if necesssary. Miss you Tommy!

Posted by: Rindy 24-Aug-2007, 08:07 AM

A TRIBUTE TO TOMMY MAKEM
10/12/2007
by Danny O'Flaherty

A TRIBUTE TO TOMMY MAKEM

As many of you know, Tommy Makem, the "Godfather" of Irish Folk Music, recently passed away. He was a friend, a mentor and a man of great integrity. So it is with great pride that I am able to announce, The Celtic Nations Heritage Festival presents "A Tribute to Tommy Makem". The concert will be held on Friday, October 12, 2007 at the Rosa Hart Theater in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Makem and Spain brothers, along with friends, will perform a special evening of music to honor Tommy.

The concert will kickoff The 17th Annual Celtic Nations Heritage Festival to be held on October 12, 13, and 14. The tickets will be $15 each or $30 for a concert ticket and a 2 day pass to the festival. For more info: www.celticnationsfestival.org

Posted by: mainopsman 27-Aug-2007, 09:46 AM

Some of my earliest memories of loving Celtic/Irish music were my recordings of tommy Makem and the Clancey brothers. This love has continued almost all of my life. i'm sure in Heaven, even the angles are at the ceili. With Tommey and the others who went before him. May we raise our pints high in thanks and salute to this great talent.

JIM (mainopsman)

Posted by: gmonroe 27-Aug-2007, 01:54 PM

I was in Dublin on a holiday when I read the news about Tommy Makem in The Irish Times. I broke down and cried right at the reception desk.

When I was a teenager, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem WERE Irish music!!! There wasn't anyone else playing and singing like them in the whole world.

They were magic then, and their music will forever be magic in my heart.

Rest ye well Tommy. I know you'll be in Heaven long before the Devil knows you're gone.

Posted by: cernowain 31-Aug-2007, 09:31 PM

Tommy will be sorely missed.

One of the artists he influenced, Celia Ferran, is coming out with a tribute CD. I've heard a couple tracks already, and I like it. I feel Tommy would be honored. You can email her and ask about her tribute CD at [email protected]

You can check out Celia at http://celiaonline.com/

Peace be upon you, Tommy.

Slaine,

Cern

Posted by: cernowain 31-Aug-2007, 09:38 PM

Posted by: montims 03-Sep-2007, 07:51 PM

The CD by Celia is called The Bard of Armagh, and it is wonderful - as well as traditional songs like Carrick Fergus and Gypsy Rover, there are a lot of songs specifically related to Tommy Makem - the whole CD is very poignant, and highly recommended.