The Passing of a Legend
“Has anyone ever told you that you look just like Tommy Makem?”
As the man standing in front of me broke into a smile, his eyes crinkled. The smile turned into a wry grin as he stared at me a bit speculatively, and tried to not squish the contents in the two large bags of hot Weeksie’s take-out food he had just picked up at the counter.
“Well, yes, I have,” he mumbled as he nodded his head, his eyes twinkling; he edged a bit closer to the door.
The signature grin and the evasive answer were a dead giveaway! Before me stood Tommy Makem, in the flesh. I was delighted!
“Hey! Wait! If you’re really Tommy Makem, I want your autograph!”
Already not very tall, he seemed to get a bit shorter as both his shoulders and expression sagged in unison. He looked meaningfully at the bags in his arms. With a grin, one of my companions grabbed the dear man’s bags for him, as I fished out a pen and paper. We had him! Autographs all around!
We talked about it for weeks afterward.
That was the first of many occasions I had to speak to Tommy Makem, our local legend. Mr. Makem was from Armagh, Ireland, and sang some of the most wonderful Irish songs I’ve ever heard. He was often on television and stage, performing as Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers.
A few years after that first meeting, I had the opportunity to have an extended telephone conversation with Mr. Makem. He was warm and friendly … a lot like a good neighbor you’ve known for years. You were apt to run across him almost anywhere. The last time I saw him was a number of years ago at a local shoe store.
His website bio describes him well:
He has also been known for many years as the modern day Bard of Armagh and is regarded around the world as “The Godfather” of Irish music.
Armed with his banjo, tinwhistle, poetry, stagecraft and his magnificent baritone voice, Tommy has been mesmerizing audiences for more than four decades.
I was saddened to learn that Tommy Makem died yesterday. I hadn’t even known that he was sick. Apparently he died at his home in Dover, NH. He was 74. I’m sad to realize that I’ll never hear him sing in person again … or run across him in town as I go about my errands. He will be sadly missed.
My sincere condolences to Mr. Makem’s family and friends - and to all of his fans.
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August 3rd, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Mr. Makem will be long remembered in my home as his songs with the Clancy Brothers are trotted out frequently, and at least once a year for the High Holidays — well, the Feast of St. Patrick and the weekends at least adjacent thereto.
It’s funny though — my Younger Daughter went to Ireland a couple of years ago for a school trip. (I’ve never been.) And they were playing what she thought was (American) country music on the bus — so she asked the tour guide if they might hear some Irish music. Being in Ireland and all, you see.
Well, says the guide, this is Irish music, but Younger Daughter demurred. “It’s not what my Dad plays,” she said. “Like what?” he asked and, as she tells it, she tried to come up with a chorus or two of something quickly. “Ah,” said the tour guide, enlightened at last, “rebel songs.” It apparently wasn’t very popular there.
But I suppose most people here don’t recall any relations who died for being on the wrong side of the conflict of the moment…. That’s just a guess on my part; I do not claim to know.
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Thank you for dropping in and leaving a comment, Curmudgeon!
Rebel songs! *LOL* That’s too funny. Actually, Tommy Makem was even better known in Ireland than he was here, so they didn’t all feel that way. :o)
There aren’t many left like Mr. Makem … music is becoming more homogenized. Although I like today’s Irish music, much of it is not of the same genre. You can find a lot of Celtic new age music, old Irish ballads, and religious music … but Mr. Makem’s music truly is the music of an “Irish Bard.”
By the way, I did go to Ireland a number of years ago. We visited Dublin over St. Patrick’s day. Of course, we had to take in the parade. I was dumbstruck when I saw that the very first float was from Waltham, MA … and that every subsequent group was American, with a very few rare exceptions. When I mentioned it later at the home of our host, I was told that “Ireland doesn’t celebrate St. Patty’s day the way it’s done in the States.”
So much for my fanciful imaginings about St. Patty’s day galas in Dublin! ;o)
August 6th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
what a wonderful post! a person is not gone as long as he or she is alive in the memory of just one person.
August 6th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Hi Moof,
Gee, that is sad. I am sorry to hear of his passing.
I must admit, even with my Celtic background, I haven’t heard of this man and his talent.
Regardless, anyone who brings music and happiness to others and leaves his mark is a treasure.
PS: I Finally downloaded Firefox! I am just figuring out how to set everything up now. I don’t know what took me so long. I guess I’m stubborn ;-)
August 7th, 2007 at 8:19 am
Lady MacLeod, thank you for dropping in, and for your very kind comment. You’re right, Mr. Maken will never be gone - he left us all with far too many wonderful memories.
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Pattie! Hello! Tommy Makem’s music ranged from foot stomping, hard drinking Irish sing-alongs, to very introspective, quiet ballads. He’s definitely left us some musical treasures!
Am delighted to hear that you’ve downloaded Firefox! If you need help with plugins or themes, let me know! :o)