The truly GREAT Paddy Moloney, The Chieftains founder, dies aged 83

[OnDoutside]

The death has been announced of the founder and leader of The Chieftains, Paddy Moloney.

President Michael D Higgins has led the tributes, saying he was at the forefront of the renaissance of interest in Irish music. From Donnycarney in north Dublin, he grew up in a musical family and began playing the tin whistle and then the uileann pipes, learning from the pipe master Leo Rowsome. He formed several groups with musicians in duets and trios, and in 1962 formed the band that would become The Chieftains Sean Potts and Michael Tubridy.

The Chieftains went on to become one of the best-known Irish traditional groups in the world, winning six Grammys as well as many other awards.

Mr Moloney and The Chieftains worked with a vast range of artists over their long career, making guest appearances with and contributing to albums by Ry Cooder, Marianne Faithful, Mick Jagger, Elvis Costello, and Sinead O'Connor. In 1987 they recorded the acclaimed 1987 album Irish Heartbeat album with Van Morrison.

Mr Moloney, who also played button accordion and bodhrán, was the main composer and arranger of The Chieftains' music and composed for films, including Treasure Island, The Grey Fox, Braveheart, Gangs of New York, and Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon.

He was married to artist Rita O'Reilly and had three children, Aonghus Moloney, Padraig Moloney, and the actress and producer Aedin Moloney.

More at

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2021/1012/1253247-paddy-moloney-the-chieftains-founder-dies/

[Thomas Hurt]

1. One of the best concerts I went to was the Chieftains at the Denver Botanic Gardens

Fiends and I brought a picnic and enjoyed the music. Wonderful evening.

RIP

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. Rest in Power, Paddy!

[hlthe2b]

3. Skies open up for an Irish man. RIP, Paddy.

I saw them at Cape Breton at the Celtic Colours International Irish Festival in 2013.

Pass gently, Paddy

[chowder66]

4. Oh no! I feel lucky to have seen them live. Incredible night. nt

[yonder]

5. Peace to you Mr. Maloney.

Leo, Willy, Johnny and Felix, Seamus, Liam and all the rest now have a new voice to join them. Tune up, keep those reeds dry and play long into the wee hours boys.

Here’s a fine 5-part jig, The King of the Pipers offered as a measure of respect.

[mactire]

6. Paddy Maloney

Paddy Maloney was an international ambassador of good will through the music of The Chieftains and his engaging personality. Besides all the prolific artists in Ireland, they played with folks from all over the world and music traditions. It seems anybody who was anybody in music, from the biggest names in rock’n’roll to icons of different genres like Pavarotti, Ziggy Marley, Ry Cooder, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Tom Jones, Harlem Gospel Choir, Mike Oldfield, Los Lobos, Paul Simon, Sona Jobarten of Gambia West Africa, Chinese folk musicians at the Great Wall, Mexican mariachi bands, and unknown local players that were welcome to join it at a local pub or social clubs in Ireland, Japan, France, Korea, or anywhere fortunate to have them visit. Paddy Maloney made the world a bit more accessible to everybody.

[Ilsa]

7. So sad. His gifts will be missed.

I love The Chieftains.