Singer Ronnie Drew dies after long illness
Saturday, 16 August 2008 18:02
The Taoiseach has led tributes to singer Ronnie Drew who has died following a long illness.
Mr Cowen said that the Dubliners singer had been an iconic figure in Irish music over the past five decades and that his unique singing voice had been enjoyed by many people.
Mr Drew died in St Vincent’s Private hospital this afternoon, aged 73.
Mr Cowen added that Drew, whether as part of the Dubliners or during his solo career, will be remembered for his promotion of Irish music both at home and around the globe.
I just heard the news and I never knew I had so many tears inside me.
Mrs. D is asking me am I all right and fair play to her she is concerned about me at this moment, she is also asking me why I am crying but she is not from Dublin, or a fan of the Dubliners..
It was coming down the line after the Chemo and all that but now that it is a reality the loss is kicking in..
The world is a smaller place now and I wish I was in Dublin tonight.
He’s been in the news a lot the past year. First with the tribute song ‘Here’s to you, Ronnie Drew’ sung by just about everybody, McGowan, U2, Sinead O Conor, Christy Moore and every other man and his dog. That in itself was a lovely gesture that he visibly enjoyed, even though I thought it was a godawful song.
A few months ago there was a documentary on his life, September Song , himself telling stories of the past and telling a bit of recent times, how soon after he was diagnosed with cancer his wife died, his new projects, songs, life, the chemotherapy etc. It was a lovely and surprisingly moving film.
I saw them play a good few times during the seventies, best of all probably on one of their stints in the Olympia in Dublin in 79, they were all there, Luke Kelly and all. Ronnie made a great job of ‘The Band played Waltzing Mathilda’ that night and some night it was.
Like coke being crushed under a door.., so it was : an unforgettable voice.
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The first time I ever heard anything that hit me in the heart and made me wonder,WTF..is this was down to the DUBLINERS.
I was just a boy at the time and not long back from California and my father, rest his soul, brought back a reel to reel tape recorder - and a transformer - at the time - recorded the Dubs last television series about 1969. He had the mic. up in front of the screen and that was that.
Years past - it took me a long time to work out the Masons Apron and a few other tunes but in the middle of it all was Ronnie Drew.
James Joyce is a well known Dub and Sam Beckett is not far behind him…but go anywhere in the world and get two, or three Dubs together there is a far greater chance that they wil be singing Seven Drunken Nights than qouting Joyce..or Beckett.
I had the pleasure of a drink or two with the man..but so did most Dublin people …
Last time I saw him was at the Gaiety on the Legends tour with Finbar Furey and Johnny McEvoy. How long ago was that? Two years? I don’t remember. Before that it was the same venue, but with the Dubs for the Luke tribute thing in 2004.
What can I say… Every time we lose one of the Dubs it’s going to break a bit more of my heart. Some of you know how much I love those blokes. No band has ever meant more to me.
I burned a CD of Ronnie’s songs last night and took it to my local pub. Mary, the landlady, is from Dublin, and she stuck it straight on the player. Raised a glass to the man.
I’m too wussy to do my crying in front of the wife, Dubh, but I did my bit when I was on my own.
Sorry to hear about Ronnie. I just watched the Ballad of Ronnie Drew on youtube, well, I guess it’s the thought that counts. There are strong memories for me connected to Ronnie’s (and Luke’s) voice, and I guess I am not the only one.
