Tommy Makem

Tommy Makem
Makem at the Dublin Irish Festival, 2005
Makem at the Dublin Irish Festival, 2005
Background information
Born(1932-11-04)4 November 1932
Keady, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
Died1 August 2007(2007-08-01) (aged 74)
Dover, New Hampshire, United States
GenresFolk, traditional Irish
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, artist, poet
Instrument(s)Vocals, banjo, tin whistle
Years active1956–2007
Formerly ofThe Clancy Brothers
Makem and Clancy
The Makem Brothers
Barley Bree
Sarah Makem
Websitemakem.com

Thomas Makem (4 November 1932 – 1 August 2007) was an Irish folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller. He was best known as a member of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. He played the long-necked 5-string banjo, tin whistle, low whistle, guitar, bodhrán 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".[1]

  1. ^ Martin, Douglas (3 August 2007). "Tommy Makem, 74, hero of Irish folk music, dies – International Herald Tribune". www.iht.com. Retrieved 29 July 2008.