Tommy Makem

Irish Folk Music Icon

Born: November 4, 1932 in Keady, County Armagh, Northern Ireland Died: August 1, 2007 in Dover, New Hampshire, USA. Tommy Makem was an internationally celebrated Irish folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller, best known as a member of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. He played the long-necked 5-string banjo, guitar, tin whistle, and bagpipes, and sang in a distinctive baritone. He was sometimes known as "The Bard of Armagh" (taken from a traditional song of the same name) and "The Godfather of Irish Music". He was an influence on folk singers and pop musicians from Bob Dylan to Shane Macgowan. Makem died in August 2007, in Dover, New Hampshire. The cause was said to be complications from lung cancer. He was 74.