Bobby Clancy

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Bobby Clancy
Vocals, banjo, guitar, harmonica, bodhrán
Years active1950s–2002

Robert Joseph 'Bobby' Clancy Jr (11 May 1927 – 6 September 2002) was an Irish singer and musician best known as a member of

five-string banjo, guitar, bodhrán, and harmonica.[1]

Early years

Bobby Clancy was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland to Robert J. Clancy and Johanna McGrath. He was the twin brother of Joan Clancy.

Clancy left home in the late 1940s to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) where he travelled all over Europe, including Greece and Egypt where he learned many folk songs. He later joined his older brothers Paddy Clancy and Tom Clancy in New York City, where they worked as actors. The trio would sometimes sing, informally beginning the group later known as the Clancy Brothers.

In 1955 Bobby returned to Ireland to settle down and run his father's insurance business.

Google News Archives they performed some shows in the United States. As a solo, Bobby brought his show to the small screen with his own TV series on Irish television, When Bobby Clancy Sings.[1]

He married Moira Mooney, a school teacher in the mid-1960s. Together they had four children; three daughters, Aoife in 1966, Roisin in 1967, and Aideen in 1979, and one son, Finbarr in 1970. Aoife Clancy and Finbarr Clancy followed in their father's footsteps and now tour as Irish folk Singers. In 2007, son Finbarr became a member of The High Kings.

The Clancy Brothers

When Tommy Makem left in 1969, Bobby took his place and became a member of the Clancy Brothers for the first time. The four brothers, Paddy, Tom, Bobby and Liam released three studio albums, Clancy Brothers Christmas, Flowers in the Valley and Welcome to Our House. The first two albums were produced under Columbia Records while the latter was released under Audio Fidelity Records.

Bobby's initial tenure with the Clancy Brothers was short-lived. According to fans[

Louis Killen
on "Mountain Tay."

In 1976, the Clancy Brothers disbanded for a few months.

Louis Killen left the group and remaining brothers Paddy and Tom decided to go on a hiatus. In 1977 plans went into motion to regroup and Paddy and Tom asked Bobby to join. The three brothers recruited their nephew, singer-songwriter Robbie O'Connell
.

The quartet toured part-time, performing three-month-long tours each year in March, August and November only in the United States. They released two albums, both live, one in 1982 and the other in 1988, Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell Live! and Tunes and Tales of Ireland respectively. During the remaining part of the year, Bobby continued running the insurance business in Carrick-on-Suir and continued performing solo in Ireland.

Youngest brother Liam Clancy rejoined Bobby, Paddy and Robbie in 1990 when brother Tom was diagnosed and later succumbed to stomach cancer in November 1990. The Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell, now Paddy, Bobby and Liam performed more frequently than they had in the 1970s and 1980s, appearing on numerous TV shows in America and Ireland, notably

Live with Regis and Kathie Lee in 1991, 1993 and 1995, Bob Dylan's The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration in 1992, and RTÉ's Lifelines in 1994. The quartet released the group's first studio album in over 20 years, Older But No Wiser, in late 1995, an album title coined by Bobby's wife Moira. Soon after the album's release, Liam Clancy and Robbie O'Connell left the group. Bobby and Paddy continued performing with Bobby's son Finbarr Clancy
and friend Eddie Dillon from Boston. This new line-up toured until November 1998 when Paddy died from lung cancer.

Later years and death

Now as a trio, the Clancys and Eddie Dillon recorded two live albums, Clancy Sing-a-Long Songs and Once in a Lifetime: An Evening of Fine Irish Music. Bobby Clancy released an additional two solo albums, The Quiet Land and Make Me a Cup, in 1999 and 2000 on the Ark Albums label, a recording studio and company in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.

In 1999 Bobby was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and by 2000 he was unable to perform on his feet. The trio had to do all their concerts sitting down. By March 2002, he was unable to perform and had to quit a scheduled tour. On 6 September 2002, Bobby Clancy died at the age of 75. He left behind a twin sister, siblings Peg and Liam, his wife, four children, and two grandchildren.[1]

Solo discography/guest appearances

  • 1962 – So Early in the Morning – Tradition LP/Rykodisc CD
  • 1963 – Peg & Bobby Clancy: Songs From Ireland – Tradition LP/Collectables CD
  • 1964 – As We Roved Out – London Globe LP
  • 1974 – Irish Folk Festival – Intercord LP/CD
  • 1974 – Good Times When Bobby Clancy Sings – Talbot LP
  • 1999 – The Quiet Land – ARK CD
  • 1999 – Clancy Sing Along Songs – ARK CD
  • 1999 – Cherish the Ladies: At Home – RCA Victor CD
  • 2000 – Cherish the Ladies: The Girls Won't Leave the Boys Alone – Windham Hill CD
  • 2000 – Make Me a Cup – ARK CD
  • 2001 – Once in a Lifetime: An Evening of Fine Irish Music – ARK CD (out of print)
  • 2002 – Aoife Clancy: Silvery Moon – Appleseed CD

*Other appearances can be found on the Clancy Brothers Discography

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hitchner, Earle (11–17 September 2002). "Bobby Clancy dies at 75". Irish Echo. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bobby_Clancy&oldid=1200877449"