Luke Kelly Appreciation Thread

lanternchikk

At least, MY head's only woolly on the outside!

A girl from Luxembourg checking in here, possibly the Ginger Dubliner's biggest fan ever.
I've always been into intense, powerful music - but Luke's voice is just too much. It can make my eyes well up or leave me with a huge delightful grin...it's too much!

And as I stumble into your arms, can you regale me with some stories?

Zatman

From what i heard he was a good man. The bridge next to my home is named afer him and he is my local famous person other than Bertie.
My friend once told me he tried to chat up his mam dont know if this is true or not could be just a story

lanternchikk

Zatman wrote: »

From what i heard he was a good man.

He didn't have much money when he was a kid and growing up, but when he finally did make some, he was extremely generous. That's what I hear and read all the time at least...

Zatman wrote: »

The bridge next to my home is named afer him and he is my local famous person other than Bertie.

Ballybough, huh?

Zatman wrote: »

My friend once told me he tried to chat up his mam dont know if this is true or not could be just a story

You mean, Luke tried to chat up your friend's mum...? Heh.

Táck

from Sheriff Street, moved to Larkhill in Whitehall then...

lanternchikk

Táck wrote: »

from Sheriff Street, moved to Larkhill in Whitehall then...

Yea, I know.:) I meant, the bridge is in Ballybough, over the Tolka.
The family was moved to Whitehall after their flat in Sheriff St was damaged by fire, right? Luke was about 13 then, and (at first, at least) hated the new house, cried and was almost depressed...at least that's what I remember reading in Des Geraghty's book.

lanternchikk

Okay, so maybe I should have posted this in one of the music or showbiz forums...? Ya know, I wasn't sure where to put it; sure, Luke was/is a famous musician, but then he was also a true Dub, and I know that at least some people in Dublin knew him well and have some nice little stories to tell...:)
Alright, so can anyone tell me if it's true that his 2nd/middle name was Gerard? Just wondering, 'cause it says so on the German Wikipedia entry on Luke, but not on the English-language one. Thanks in advance.

_blank_

There should be a statue to the man somewhere in Dublin, he's a proper legend of this city.

Are you aware that his band-mate Ronnie Drew died recently after a cancer battle?

And yes, you are right, he has one fo the best, most distinctive voices ever heard.

lanternchikk

Des wrote: »

There should be a statue to the man somewhere in Dublin, he's a proper legend of this city.

Hell yeah!:) Didn't they plan to have a bronze statue of Luke erected in Dublin City a few years ago already?

Des wrote: »

Are you aware that his band-mate Ronnie Drew died recently after a cancer battle?

Yes, I know. And it's sad.:( However, Ronnie had a good, long(ish) life...
RIP Ronnie, Luke and Ciaran! Have some pints in heaven.

Des wrote: »

And yes, you are right, [Luke Kelly] has one fo the best, most distinctive voices ever heard.

That is true.:)


PS: I would still like to know about the name; thanks in advance.

John Mason

most people here werent even born when luke died, so to be honest i think you are flogging a dead horse.

humberklog

I'm from a family of musicians, also from the north inner city of Dublin, that would have come across Luke Kelly. I don't think you'll get too many anecdotes on Luke for a number of reasons. He wasn't a 'mixer' outside of music. He socialised almost exclusively within that fraternity and as they say 'what happens on the road stays on the..'. He was also known for being very, very grumpy. He didn't tolerate people before 2p.m and even efter that time just about tolerated people.
A voice like no other and a skill of identifying and interpreting a good tune seldom seen on these shores.
Indeed a true professional artist in the application of his skills but also a stereotypical cranky artist. In the passing of time I think this indears his legacy more; that there is little else left of the man other than in the thoughts of those that knew him personally and for those he didn't want to know about...well he left us his works.

Steve

He was one of the greatest musicians / singers that Dublin ever had the pleasure of being associated with, I've spent many an evening watching old footage of him on youtube.

That's an interesting insight into his character, humberklog.

humberklog

SteveC wrote: »

That's an interesting insight into his character, humberklog.

The people I'm paraphrasing couldn't stress enough that although cranky it's not in the same way as Behan. Who apparently was cranky for crankyness sake, wouldn't stand his round and was wholly unliked by dockers. Where as Luke was liked and known as decent but no sufferer of fools, hanger ons or lackies.

Lu Tze

Without doubt the most powerful singing voice Ireland has ever produced.

Earth Worm Jim

Luke Kelly was born and grew up in Sherrif Street (Phil Shannahan House) and he is a hero in that Area and most of Dublin..

They even have a Spare ribs and Coddle Night in the local sports hall once a year, its all free(exept the drink) and Lukes Brother, friends and the last remaining Dubliners usualy turn up, plus they always have a good band belting out the ballads..

Its on around sept, either lukes birthday or the day he died.

Its a good night and all are welcome, though it be a fair few months away

Latchy

I met Luke kelly once when i was only a kid.I was down in kilmainham jail when the dubliners arrived for an album photoshoot .I was in the museam section of the jail when he came in and seeing me, asked would I mind holding his jacket while he got his pictures taken .I even got a signed album for my troubles which sadly i lent out on loan and never got back .

He had amazing voice.:)

topper75

There won't be another Dubliner, or indeed Irishman, like him for a long time to come. A special performer. One of the clearest, purest, strongest singing voices in any genre, in any country. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-ainm.

lanternchikk

pink fluffy bunny wrote: »

most people here werent even born when luke died, so to be honest i think you are flogging a dead horse.

I was born just 4 months and 8 days before.;) Seriously tho, what's wrong with being fascinated by an artist or other person who died many years ago?

*****

Us hard-drinking, creative ones tend to be a cranky bunch, right?;)

There's this one story I've got about Luke. Apparently, one time when he was waiting for a bus (at least he wasn't a "limousine liberal" as it seems) in Harolds Cross near the Classic Cinema, some people gathered and GAWKED at him and his ginger afro. The bus arrived, Luke stepped on, and just before the bus' doors closed, he turned around and said, "What are yous f*cking looking at?".

Wishbone Ash

pink fluffy bunny wrote: »

most people here werent even born when luke died, so to be honest i think you are flogging a dead horse.

lanternchikk wrote: »

what's wrong with being fascinated by an artist or other person who died many years ago?

pink fluffy bunny wasn't saying that there was anything wrong with it but merely pointing out that many who frequent boards tend to be younger (i.e. under 30) and unlikely to be overly interested in a singer who died in 1984.

I can throw this over to the Traditional Music Forum if you prefer - just let me know.

(At the risk of being lynched :eek: I can't bear that 'Scorn Not His Simplicity' song but I suppose Luke's version is better than most!)

irlirishkev

Ah, Luke Kelly. Truly one of the greats.
I only started listening to him in the last couple of years, but I can't get enough of that voice, and his quirky on-stage humour.

My Dad saw him play in London once, years ago. Some small club. He just got up to sing a couple of songs. Threw his head back and belted them out. Said it was quite incredible.
He met Luke, with the rest of the Dubliners in Dublin Airport in the 70s. Apparantly they all looked a bit worse for wear.

I'd have loved to have been around in the day, to catch them playing up on Baggot Street.

RIP.

lanternchikk

Earth Worm Jim wrote: »

They even have a Spare ribs and Coddle Night in the local sports hall once a year, its all free(exept the drink) and Lukes Brother, friends and the last remaining Dubliners usualy turn up, plus they always have a good band belting out the ballads..

Its on around sept, either lukes birthday or the day he died.

Its a good night and all are welcome, though it be a fair few months away

Coddle...it's not just for bathing in anymore.:D

Luke's birthday is November 17th, the day he died is January 30th.

*edit*

topper75 wrote: »

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-ainm.

Could you please translate that for me? (I don't speak Irish, but I've been thinking about learning it...) Thanks.

dfx-

God rest his soul or some such..

Earth Worm Jim

lanternchikk wrote: »

Coddle...it's not just for bathing in anymore.:D

Coddle is like a white stew, well it can be brown aswell but mostly white with rashers(bacon) sausages, onions, potatoes, etc. they also have Pigs feet and ribs too, plus a ballad session, the army chefs even cooked it one year, good night for the craic.

Luke's birthday is November 17th, the day he died is January 30th.

Not sure when they hold the Luke Kelly night but I think its about sept/oct time, not sure why, I assumed it was his birthday or anniversy? The sports hall its held in is actualy built on the site where Philshanahan House flats stood, where Luke was borne and brought up.

John Mason

thanks wishbone, you were right i wasnt having a go.

i am a huge luke fan myself, went to his 20th anniversay gig in the gaiety there a few years ago - supreme, all the dubliners on stage for the very last time.

lanternchikk

pink fluffy bunny wrote: »

thanks wishbone, you were right i wasnt having a go.

i am a huge luke fan myself, went to his 20th anniversay gig in the gaiety there a few years ago - supreme, all the dubliners on stage for the very last time.

That must have been awesome.
And sorry if I came across as a bit harsh before, I meant no offense. I was just slightly confused I guess...

Dyr

funny dat, I Just listened to him singing hot asphalt on youtube, wotta voice

lanternchikk

Bambi wrote: »

funny dat, I Just listened to him singing hot asphalt on youtube, wotta voice

Wotta voice indeed...it's positively addictive!

Esel

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-ainm.

May his soul be at God's right (side).

lanternchikk

esel wrote: »

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-ainm.

May his soul be at God's right (side).

Thanks!:)

Still wondering about the name thing tho. Was it indeed "Luke Gerard Kelly"?

RaverRo808

Truely one of the greatest Irishmen,there should many a statue of him,and roads and streets etc,the man was the true definition of a Dubliner,his accent,his humour,his stlye,his mannerisms,he died before my time,but have nothing but respect for his legacy,I love the old fashioned Luke Kelly like charactors,thats why I go for a pint down cobblestones and around town,with the auld townies,hear afew ballads

lanternchikk

Earth Worm Jim: It's on the site where Phil Shanahan House used to be? Wow, that's quite fascinating...to me at least.

RaverRo808, I have nothing to add.

I just love Luke's accent, pronounciation and diction. This goes for singing songs as well as reciting poems. No bullsh1t, just lots of warmth and raw passion. His voice is beautiful even when he just speaks (see interview clips on Youtube).

Wishbone Ash

RaverRo808 wrote: »

there should many a statue of him,and roads and streets etc

The bridge over the Tolka between Ballybough and Fairview is named after him.