Obit: Paddy Clancy RIP (1922-1998)

Subject: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From:
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 06:00 PM

Some Mudcatters may be saddened to know that one of the Clancy Brothers (Paddy) died last week, at home in Ireland. From the newspaper reports, the session seems to have started in the church, led by Liam, the surviving brother!

They may not have been everyone's idea of the perfect folksingers - but by God they made a difference!

Regards

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: The Fenian
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 09:19 PM

Yes I am sorry to heard that sad news and I thank you very much for informing me. My heart goes out to Liam

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: Alice
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 09:28 PM

This was the message I received on Friday from Anne Cooke, via musicmail, and I was saddened by the news. They definitely were what I considered a wonderful folksinging group who touched people and awakened hearts and heritage all over the world.

[musicmail] The Passing of Paddy Clancy
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 15:54:59 -0600
From: Anne Cooke
Reply-To: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

From: Anne Cooke

Subject: Paddy Clancy, RIP
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 10:42:15 EST
From: Jim Coogan
Reply-To: Irish Traditional Music List
To: [e-mail]

I regretfully inform the list of the passing of Paddy Clancy of the famed Clancy Brothers. I am only guessing but I would imagine he would have been in the mid to upper 70's.

I was not home last night when my daughter Mary called and left word that Aioffe (Bobby's daughter) had left the tour in British Columbia to fly home to Ireland for the funeral so I have no other details.

The Clancy Brothers split up a few years ago with Paddy, Bobby and Bobby's son Finbarr going in one direction - Liam, Robbie O'Connell and Liam's son Donal in another.

The Clancy Brothers opened many doors for trad musicians and I might add that many "purists" today wouldn't have a clue to the music if it weren't for the Clancy's .

May the Lord have mercy on the soul of Paddy Clancy and all the other singers and musicians who have gone before in the tradition of our Irish Heritage.

alice in montana

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: The Fenian
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 09:31 PM

Can anyone sign onto this musicmail thing and if so how?

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 09:33 PM

They set a style as did the Weavers and the Kingstons and P.P.& M. and Gordon, Ed & Anne.

Truly, will be missed!!

Art

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: DonMeixner
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 10:04 PM

I have always described the band I play in as The Clancy Brothers with Drums. I have tried to stear our sound in the direction of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem crossed with The Corrie Folk Trio. The Clancys were my introduction to traditional British Isles Folkmusic. They had their detractors in the past as being non purists. So what. They created a style of singing that was joyous and heroic while at the time was sentimental and tender. They sang as a family would sing. Out loud and with humor. Perhaps they weren't the best musicians and singers but they certainly breathed life in the pure sounds of the vocal music of Ireland and presented a more real sound than the Tin Pan Alley Irish of Bing Crosby and Dennis Day. The loss of Paddy Clancy is tragic, his contributions to the vocal music of Ireland as well as his theatrical work will go on in his stead.

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: Alice
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 10:07 PM

Fenian, go to Music
and click on the Onelist button for Musicmail.

alice in montana

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: McMusic
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 12:54 AM

Really sorry to hear the news. They were the first Irish singers who didn't confine Irish music to "Danny Boy" or "Who Put The Overalls In Mrs. Murphy's Chowder?". To me, they taught America what Irish ballads were really about. A sad passing indeed!

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: alison
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 12:54 AM

Hi,

I was just singing along with them on tape last night. May he rest in peace.

alison

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: Ralph Butts
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 10:11 AM

Paddy, I'll miss you so. You were the heart and soul of a group that changed my musical outlook, and you could turn my smiles and tears on and off at will.

Today, I have both tears and smiles for your wonderful memory.

Rest in peace......Tiger

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: Big Mick
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 10:58 AM

God be good to him. His music lives on in those of us he touched. I second Alice. The Clancy Bros., under Paddy's tutelage, were prime movers in the revival of Irish music as it is, as opposed to how some would have it be.

"His soul's been blessed, he's laid to rest, and now we are alone"

Mick

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: Bo
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 10:59 AM

sad news. Good man.

Bo

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: BAZ
Date: 18 Nov 98 - 05:27 PM

God bless you Paddy.
I still have a coverless Clancy Brothers song book bought at least 20 years ago. I don't care what the purists say the Clancys introduced me to songs like Castle of Dromore, Kevin barry, The Curlew etc. and I'll always be gratefull.
Rest in Peace my friend
Baz.

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: Greg Baker
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 05:04 AM

Yes, that was truly sad - but at least we had him! If it hadn't been for the Clancy Brothers, I would never have learned about Irish folk songs - and it would have been a poorer world.

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother)
From: The Fenian
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 07:13 PM

Alice, Thanks, greatly appreciated

Subject: Paddy Clancy, RIP
From:
Date: 23 Nov 98 - 09:44 AM

From yesterday's WASHINGTON POST: Paddy Clancy, 76, who sang with the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, the influential Irish folk group of the 1950s and 1960s, died of cancer Nov. 11 at his home in the County Waterford town of Carrick on Suir in southeast Ireland.

The brothers and their friend Makem formed the group at the beginning of the folk music boom in New York in 1959. They performed with such people as Judy Collins and Pete Seeger.

Brother Bobby Clancy also occasionally sang with the group, which made more than 50 records. Paddy Clancy went out on his own after nine years. The group reunited in 1993 for a concert honoring Bob Dylan.

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 08:53 AM

IT WAS A SAD NIGHT AND I REMEMBER IT WELL. A SONG DIED THAT DAY. IT WILL ALWAYS BE REMEBERED BUT NEVER REPEATED.

HE COULD HOLD HIS OWN IN ANY COMPANY AND HAD READ ALMOST EVERYTHING. HE LOVED TO GO INTO THE 'KITTY CLUB' IN THE TOWN OF CARRICK AND HAVE A SMALL WHISKEY AND CHASER AND TALK ABOUT THE PRICE OF CATTLE, GREYHOUNDS, THE ORIGIN OF A PLACENAME, THE MIGRATION OF TRIBES OF EUROPE. ANYTHING REALLY. THE MANUFACTUR OF HANDMADE WALKING STICKS WAS A FAVOURITE HOBBY BECAUSE HE COULD TALK AT GREAT LENGTH ABOUT THE TYPE OF WOOD USED AND IT'S BOTANICAL VIRTUES. OF COURSE A GREAT DEAL OF BIRD WATCHING WENT HAND IN HAND WITH THIS HOBBY AND WE WOULD SIT QUIETLY IN THE CAR WITH HIM SAYING "WATCH THAT GAP IN THE WALL A TINY BIRD WILL FLY OUT". HE COULD WEAVE BASKET SEATED CHAIRS AND REPAIRED SMALL INTRICATE THINGS THAT COULD NOT BE FIXED LIKE SPECTACLES. THERE WAS A SPECIAL BOX FOR TINY TOOLS AND GLUES AND RESINS.

WITH POETRY BOOKS BY HIS CHAIR AND HE WOULD QUIETLY WORK OUT A SONG HE HEARD ONCE AS A YOUNG MAN. PHENOMENAL RECALL.

THE IRISH TIMES CROSSWORD WAS A GREAT SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY BECAUSE THE BIZARRE AND DIFFICULT WORDS WERE FILLED IN OFTEN WITHOUT A PROBLEM BUT PEBBLE (HIS VERSION PEBBEL) NEARLY CAUSED AN INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT.   HE USED TO SIGN-WRITE FREEHAND, I AM TOLD THIS IS A RARE SKILL.

I REMEMBER BEING SENT TO THE CATTLE MART TO BUY A CALF OR TWO WITH HIM ONE DAY AND WE BOUGHT NINE. EVERYONE CAME OVER FOR A CHAT AND HE HAD A WORD FOR ALL. GRUDGINGLY WE WERE TOLD THEY WERE NINE VERY GOOD CALVES EVEN THOUGH WE BOUGHT TOO MANY.

ECLECTIC AND GREGAROUS, PATIENT AND THOUGHFUL. INTELLIGENT IN SURPRISING WAYS. I KNEW HIM WELL AND I MISS HIM EVERYDAY.
THE WORLD IS A DULLER, LESS THOUGHTFUL, MORE ANONYMOUS, COLDER PLACE WITHOUT HIM.

I WISH YOU WERE STILL WITH US. MOGGA

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: Mrrzy
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 09:26 AM

I hadn't realized Paddy had died, too. That leaves only Liam, now, of the original CB&TM, right?

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 09:27 AM

Why are you yelling? In case you don't realize it, all caps, when online, means you are yelling.

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: DonMeixner
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 09:50 AM

Let Him yell Mick, it was a grand read.

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 02:21 PM

Sorry, did not mean to yell. First time putting in my 'spake' online. He is a she though. Mogga

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 02:24 PM

(Some people who are sight-imparied find caps easier to read as they type them in.)

Thanks, Mogga, for sharing with us.

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 06:44 PM

Well, Mogga, I am glad you are here. Why not become a member of our merry band of layabouts? It is easy and guaranteed not to raise your spam quotient.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 07:35 PM

I'll be beggin' yer pardon ma'am.

Don

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 12:56 PM

Delighted Mick and thank you. I am always willing to hone my loafing skills.

Don; no worries.   

Mogga

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: goatfell
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 12:25 PM

YELL IF YOU WANT, I'm sad too, greet, greet, greet

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 12:34 PM

People should not take offense at writing in CAPS.   We've become too ingrained to believe that it is "shouting", when the writer obviously meant no harm. The words should speak for themselves, not the style in which they are presented.

That was a beautiful memory to share Mogga. I only spoke to Paddy once on a telephone interview, and he was very gracious and warm. Your memories of the man really cement the feeling I had about him.

This is a very sad time, but I take comfort in the fact that the Clancy's and Tommy Makem instilled a love of this music in many of us. In addition to bringing the world of Irish music to our attention, they also helped played a major role in helping to spark the folk revival in this country and I don't think they get enough credit for that.

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: ranger1
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 09:53 PM

I was lucky enough to see Bobby and Paddy play here in Portland, ME the spring before Paddy passed. They both took the time to talk with me and Paddy especially was amused that my dog's name was Clancy AND he came out to the parking lot to meet him. I have a photo of Clancy the Dog autographed by Paddy: "To Clancy from Clancy." Paddy Clancy was finest kind.

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: GUEST,mogga
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 08:23 AM

Ranger you should put that up to be viewed. That is a lovely story.

Subject: RE: Paddy Clancy
From: GUEST,mogga
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 08:27 AM

Ranger,

Is it a big dog or small dog? Did he talk to him/her in a dog voice?!

Subject: RE: Death of a Clancy (Brother) - Paddy
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 08:44 AM

still missed. still thought of everyday. talented was an obvious description but you never lost touch with your roots and rooted in our minds you will always be. it's rare to meet a person who makes this kind of impression. Watch over the people of your hometown as you look down (or up!) from the afterlife. God bless and keep you.