A tale of Dan Sullivan

Uilleann Pipes
1

After reading “Glands” last post I thought some of you might be interested in a little story concerning Dan Sullivan:

Years ago, sometime in the 1970’s, I was visiting Dennis Brooks in San Francisco. One Morning Dennis said “get your pipes we are going to a session”. You must realise my surprise as there were very few sessions at that time. As a matter of fact, Dennis Brooks, Bill Ochs, Patrick Henley and Joe Shannon were the only pipers that I knew. I used to brag that I was the best piper in New England… of course I was the only piper in New England.

Anyway, we arrived at Dan Sullivan’s house and he met us at the door, showing us down to his basement. There sat around 10 fiddlers and a flute player or two…all with music stands. They started to play Polkas. After playing the tune twice Dan Would call out “number 23 !!!” and without stopping they would all turn to page 23. I asked for the mens room where I closed the door and proceeded to laugh so hard that I was crying. I had never seen anything so delightful and funny. I had to choke myself to keep them from hearing me.

A couple of days later I met Dan and we went out into the wine country to cut some fine California Arundo Donax. Which is the type of cane that I use to this day. Dan also showed me a couple of letters from Leo Rowsome requesting cane.

Dan was a gentleman indeed.


All the best,
Pat Sky

2

I wonder just how many of those cane breaks are still around today… from what I understand, erradication efforts have really taken a toll on California cane. I think Mr. Sullivan would be sad to see it.

3

This set of Frank McFadden pipes use to belong to Dan Sullivan. I bought them from Dan’s wife, through Denis Brooks, after Dan passed on. They now belong to Brian Vallely, who knew Frank quite well, but Brian had never seen a full set of McFadden pipes, in fact didn’t even know Frank (the elder) ever made a full set.

Kevin Rowsome told me that Dan did indeed collect California cane for Leo. I use to play with one of Dan’s reeds. Best read I ever played. It was the reed that Dan had made for the narrow bore bass reg, but it worked perfect in the wide bore chanter.

4

Not to worry… California ran out of money for “weed abatement” early last year, and the old arundo donax is taking full advantage.

No E

5

Very happy to hear it… for purely selfish reasons, of course. :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: