Obit: Tommy Makem has Passed Away (1932-2007)

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: gnu
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 03:42 PM

Jaysus, Kendall. Tears for you, too, lad.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Mickey191
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 03:49 PM

Had the pleasure of meeting Tommy & Liam at the Village Vanguard in the early 60"s. Two fine gentlemen. Saw THE best show ever at Carnegie Hall-Makem & the Clancys. They were new & exciting & totally hip!

Up to that time-I'd only heard McCormick & the McNultys.
   
Sad news.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: GUEST,Mary Katherine
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 03:53 PM

I tried to run that address through the Post Office's Zip Code lookup online, so that I could post a Zip Code for everyone to add, but the says that there is no such address. Can you double check it for us please, Kendall? Maybe a typo somewhere?

[address removed at request of the family. -Joe Offer-]

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Greg B
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 03:55 PM

Ah, but for Tommy we have to raise not a glass of Jameson's
but rather a cup of the finest tea that can be found.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Baggins 360
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 04:07 PM

Never mind the Jameson's I'm getting out my Bottle of Black Bushmills to toast this man.........Tomas O'Maolcholam I salute you as a Clan Chieftain, Sláinte! God Bless you for the fine man you are.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: gnu
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 04:17 PM

Maybe it's too soon for this, but, what the hell. One of the times I met him....

I was doing an airport construction job in Deer Kake, Newfoundalnd. As top dog on the job, I was always on the job site before dawn. One morning, I strolled into an empty (I thought) building and I was singing at the top of my voice.... great acosutics in an empty Airport Terminal... when, all of a sudden, I was drowned out like a cricket by a lion. There he stood, belting it out. My jaw dropped.

He stopped and asked, "What's the matter lad? You forget the words?" Then, another voice, Liam, whom I had apparently woken up, said, "I wish you would both forget the words." Tommy gave me a wink and began again. A solo performance. I treasure it to this day and always will. A chat over coffee in my office was a wee treat as well.

A bit later, when the construction crew arrived, the lead hand said something I'll never forget.... "Dat lad's got a t'roat on 'im like a gannet!" He meant that in an endearing way.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Beer
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 04:36 PM

Great story Gnu.
Beer

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Maryrrf
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 04:36 PM

Greg is right - Tommy is a teetotaler. He took "The Pledge" years ago. I hope things happen peacefully.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: kendall
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 04:44 PM

Sorry about that. I got the address from an employee who had less command of the language than she thought she had.
A sign of the times.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 05:01 PM

Tommy was supposed to play at Stanfest earlier this month but had to cancel due to poor health, so I suspected his remission may have ended. This is indeed sad news. I have seen him perform live on several occasions and have had the pleasure of meeting him and Liam years ago.
A true icon of folk music!

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Skivee
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 06:29 PM

How sad.
The man once very kindy invited me to join him for breakfast during the Potomac Celtic Festival. It was one of the most interesting meals I've had...and that wasn't because of the fair at the Holiday Inn.
Kendall, please pass along my good wishes. Craig Williams

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 06:58 PM

I read lots of threads on Mudcat. Some are interesting, some are funny, most are informative---and some break your heart. I am so very sorry to hear this news. Like all of you, I wish him the easiest possible end to a most worthwhile life. I hold out hope that this is but a false alarm.      Jim Hickam

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: kendall
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 07:25 PM

Let's all send him a card. Do it soon.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Bugsy
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 09:01 PM

This is very sad news.. I have always enjoyed Tommy's music,beginning with his time with the Clancy Brothers. I will remember him in my prayers.

bugsy

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 09:46 PM

More years ago than I care to remember, my then boyfriend (now my husband of 30 years) found a compilation of LPs called An Anthology of Folk Music - 5 records on Sine Qua Non. The record had wonderful singers on it like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Leadbelly, Odetta and some folks I had never heard of -- The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. It was all over for me at that point. I have seen him sing three times -- I went back stage once like a teenager and got his autograph, and Liam's -- they were both so very gracious. I had never heard music like that .... . it opened up a whole new world for me. I am very sad tonight.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: maeve
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 09:52 PM

I'll send out a card tomorrow, Kendall. Perhaps I'll send along a poem for him, as well. Thanks for letting us know.

Hugs to you, my friend.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: gnu
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 01:58 PM

There is a thread at Tommy's site... here

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:35 PM

I grew up with Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, and found out later that all the songs I truly loved, which I had though were *old* classics, had been written by Tommy Makem.
Later, when I first met my X2B, it was Tommy Makem's music, heavily laden with at least Liam if not several Clancy brothers, uncles and nephews (wonder why none of the sisters or the cousins or the aunts?), that brought us closest, and when many years later we wed, we honeymooned in Ireland. We didn't stay anywhere we hadn't heard them mention in a song, and even one night out of Bandon we strayed and out for Klonakilty we made our way, passing through Ballinascathy and saw the pub at which they whet their whistle in the song... and it's called the Whistle Stop. We hadn't known it was a reference, we thought it was just a metaphor... anyway.
Please tell Tommy this story. You can tell him our twins were made in Ireland, which is perfectly true!
(Don't tell him, unless you think he'd find it funny, that when we went through the CBRos home town and told people we were on a kind of Clancy Brothers tour, we got really nasty looks and comments about what terrible boys they were to be sure, never brought any of all that lovely money back home. Oops.)

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 09:03 PM

Sometimes the days away from here are the best. I hate coming back to a thread like this. Too sad for words but time takes it's toll on us all and it makes every day sadder and not happier as we age. Wish I had something cheerful to say......or think.........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 11:53 PM

This is terrible news. My prayers are with him.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 09:20 AM

First time I heard Tommy's singing was his debut LP in the what, early 60s? I had known Sarah's voice from Diane Hamilton (Guggenheim)'s collecting, so when I saw the record, its grand list of songs and his face full of puckish humor on the cover, I bought it. (Hadn't heard any Clancys at that point but soon remedied that.)

His "Little Beggarman" and "The Irish Rover" have never left my head in all the years since.

What's shocking about this sad news is how recently I saw him ... a bare couple of years ago at his outdoor appearance in Lowell, MA. He was in roaring fine shape then, his best performance of the night an audio check of the magnificent "[Sailing in the] Lowlands Low," but every song was a joy, including his wonderful performance of "Ten Wee Wimmen" that mesmerized Amba and me till we learned it and it's still our favorite car singing song.

A singing wizard who seems to summarize in his lanky self all that is fine about Irish traditional song and style, made universal by his deservedly popular performing, he's one of the very few of whom I can truly say, "He could sing the phone book, and I'd listen."

Words fail ... no way I can say what his keen and joyous music has meant to me, or how like a ton of bricks on the head it is to hear of his trouble and pain. May he be eased, and I hope for his recovery and many years yet.

Kendall, please add mine to the bundle of fans' well-wishes in your remembrance if you see him again.

Bob

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Flash Company
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 09:42 AM

I feel OLD!!!!! I am watching all my heroes disappear one by one and I don't like it.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Tommy

Brian Q

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: kendall
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 11:10 AM

People, please stop calling the home where Tommy is. They can not handle all the calls they are getting.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 11:26 AM

It's my understanding that the family has been overwhelmed with calls and mail. They have asked that Tommy's address be removed from this thread. If you would like to convey any messages to Tommy, you can post at the discussion forum at http://www.makem.com/ - you have to register to post. The thread on Tommy's illness is here (click).
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: ard mhacha
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 11:55 AM

From a fellow Armagh man, God be with you.
I will listen again to him rattling out as only he could, Master McGrath, Tandragee, The dalin` men from Crossmaglen, and countless others.
He, along with the Clancys sowed the seeds and introduced numerous people to Irish folk, and not only Irish but folk songs of many nations.
A great personality, a legend, we loved you Tommy.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: GUEST,Jonas
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 12:01 PM

Ard mhacha,
I think you meant to end your post with, "A great personality, a legend, we love you Tommy."

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: ard mhacha
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 12:50 PM

Right you are Jonas, hoping and praying for a miracle.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: kendall
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 01:24 PM

Thanks, Joe

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: GUEST,The Makem family
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 03:47 PM

We'd like to thank everyone for their concerns and we have passed along your thoughts and prayers to our father. His cancer has not spread to his liver and right now he is resting comfortably. We certainly appreciate everyone's concerns, but as far as any phone calls, the staff at the health care facility has to field them and that takes away from their time to care for other patients. Our father would hate to think that he was in any way responsible for someone else receiving less attention because of him.

If anyone wants to write him a postcard or letter, you can address it to PO Box 336, Dover NH 03821-0336. He'll get anything addressed to him there. And again, thank you for thinking of him.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: GUEST,machree01
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 03:51 PM

I am just after watching him on the DVD singing and playing out the roll as 'The Cobbler' on the TV in {B.W}. I have laughed at some of the songs he has sung 'Mary Mack', the 'Town of Ballybay'. and Emotional at one of the great songs he wrote, 'Four Green Fields'. God Bless You Tommy.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: gnu
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 09:35 PM

Oh my. I like this youtube stuff...I never knew things like this existed.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 09:58 PM

Thanks to 'the Makem family' for the report. Our best wishes for you all.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 10:06 PM

Uh, if it's been 'removed' then why is the Dover NH addy still here? Or, is that an alt addy for him?

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: JennyO
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 10:30 PM

Well that's a postal address, Sorcha. It's okay to send postcards. The other one was the actual address and apparently too many people were ringing up before.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 10:34 PM

Ok, guess I just missed seeing the other addy.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: The Pooka
Date: 28 Jul 07 - 03:32 PM

Yes, Guest-meself, thanks indeed to the Makem family for that clarifying, and under-the-circumstances encouraging, report. (And thanks, also, to Shane, Conor and Rory for carrying on the ever-evolving song tradition.)

Tommy Makem is incomparable. He is very very Important to the lives of countless people. May the good Lord bless the peerless Bard of Armagh, now & always.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Jul 07 - 08:27 PM

Oh, that's good news! Health and a longer life to him!

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Jul 07 - 10:48 PM

Thanks for the update, Makem Family! Hope you read the thread, and enjoyed seeing some of the things your dad has done for all of us. Plese check back every so often.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: GUEST,Siobhan
Date: 29 Jul 07 - 08:13 PM

I've gone to see and hear Tommy every year (sometimes two and three times) for 24 years--ever since I started listening to him in 1983. He is unfailingly gracious! To say nothing of that voice which raises the hairs on the back of your neck, and the sly humor that made me laugh when I had forgotten how!

God bless you, Tommy, and thank you to the Makem family for allowing us to continue to hope and to send our good wishes. We love you, Tommy, more than you can possibly realize! Paters and aves going up for you everyday!

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: GUEST,The Fensters == guests
Date: 29 Jul 07 - 08:54 PM

Not only have we known Tommy and his family for the last 15+ years or so, and love them all dearly, we have another aspect of his love to be thankful for....Tommy, thank you for increasing our circle so many times over with all the dear friends we have made through your trips to Ireland and the multitude of Irish festivals we have attended.

Yes, your music and poetry are dear to us, but it is you as a host and friend for which we are so very grateful. Eat you porridge and drink yor tea....we still need you!

Edy & Harvey

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: kendall
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 03:48 PM

Every morning I wake up with a song in my mind. It could be anything, and this morning, I woke with a memory of being on stage at the Holiday Inn by the bay in Portland Maine. I was performing with Tommy Makem and Schooner Fare, old and dear friends. We were singing Rolling Home, practically my theme song, and when we came to ...old new England, Tommy turned to me and bellowed out "Old New hampshire"! what do you mean, old New England? The crowd loved it.

Every time that part came around he would give me that look, and sing NEW HAMPSHIRE! This is one of my very few heros.

I've met his sons, but I don't really know them.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: GUEST,john o'connor
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 11:51 PM

God bless Tommy

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: gnu
Date: 31 Jul 07 - 01:29 PM

Kendall. That's a hoot! Minds me of the intro to the song "God Bless England" on, my memory can't be trusted, but, the album "Hearty and Hellish", which sites an instance of a lad throwing a drink... well, at least an empty glass. ;-) (And, no, don't anyone bother to get pissy about me slurring the Irish... it's a joke.)

Similarly, I saw Tommy and Liam one night in North Sydney (pretty sure, again memory fails), Nova Scotia, when a fellow called out from the back of the audience for that song. Liam saved the fellow's life when he bellowed out for the three or four lads bearing down on this poor fellow to stop and listen. The song was palyed. Later, I heard that the fellow drank for the rest of the night for free, courtesy of the lads that nearly beat him up!

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: kendall
Date: 31 Jul 07 - 02:26 PM

Memories are great, and I wouldn't choose to forget them, but they don't come up to anticipation of a future encounter that great.

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: The Pooka
Date: 31 Jul 07 - 09:03 PM

Here is a fine tribute to Tommy, by My Son The Blogger/Lawyer :). [The Mudcat is cited, btw. :]

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off
From: Brían
Date: 31 Jul 07 - 09:15 PM

I thank Kendall for telling about Tommy's condition. The the ripples from the pebbles Tommy has cast into the pond are still spreading across the expanse of my and countless other lives. A song probably never saved a life but many have left lives richer for their hearing. My prayers and wishes to the Makem family.

Brien

Subject: Tommy Makem RIP
From: GUEST,from Joanie Madden
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 07:40 PM

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Tommy Makem passed away this evening...

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off - Passed Away- 1 Aug 2007
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 07:46 PM

Thanks, Joannie. God be good to this fine man.

All the best,

Mick Lane

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off - Passed Away- 1 Aug 2007
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 07:46 PM

Rest in peace Tommy. Here's to one of the best men there was! We'll miss you and treasure your music forever. I regret never seeing you but you touched my life.


Oh, all the comrades that e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They'd wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be with you all

Subject: RE: Tommy [Makem] is bad off - Passed Away- 1 Aug 2007
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 07:46 PM

This is sad news for the world of folk music. His contribution was enormous. Good night, Tommy.