Bobby Clancy
This section relies largely or entirely on a single source. (December 2021) |
Bobby Clancy | |
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Years active | 1950s–2002 |
Robert Joseph 'Bobby' Clancy Jr (11 May 1927 – 6 September 2002) was an Irish singer and musician best known as a member of
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.
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[
In 1976, the Clancy Brothers disbanded for a few months.
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
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
- ^ 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.