Charlie Lennon (fiddler)
Charlie Lennon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Charles Oliver Lennon July 1938 Kiltyclogher, County Leitrim, Ireland |
| Died | 8 June 2024 (aged 85) |
| Alma mater | University of Liverpool |
| Years active | c. 1970s–2024 |
| Spouse |
Síle Ní Fhlaithearta
(m. 1966) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Maurice Lennon (nephew) |
| Awards | TG4 Composer of the Year (2006) |
Charles Oliver Lennon (July 1938 – 8 June 2024) was an Irish musician, fiddler, composer, and pianist.
Early life and education[edit]
Charles Oliver Lennon was born the youngest of four children to Jim and Sally Lennon in Kiltyclogher in July 1938.[1][2] Lennon learned playing instruments including the fiddle and piano at a young age, and joined several céilí bands in his teenage years. He graduated from the University of Liverpool, majoring in nuclear physics.[3]
Career[edit]
Lennon's career spanned over 50 years.[4] His compositions include The Twelve Pins, The Smiling Bride, The Road to Cashel, Lennon's No.4, The Handsome Young Maidens and The Bag of Money.[3][5][6] His recordings include Lucky in Love, The Emigrant Suite, Flight from the Hungry Land, Island Wedding, Time for a Tune, Aifreann Chaomháin and Áille Na hÁille, The Dance of the Honey Bees and Dusk 'Till Dawn.[1][7][8]
Lennon's book of compositions, Musical Memories, was published in 1993.[3] Lennon was awarded the title Ard-Ollamh by the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in 2005. He was the 2006 TG4 Composer of the Year.[9] Lennon's second book of compositions, Musical Memories Volume 2, was released in 2012.[10] He was awarded the IMRO Gold Award in 2020.[11]
Lennon also taught at third level at the University of Galway.[9] He moved to Spiddal after his retirement, where he opened a recording studio.[3]
Personal life and death[edit]
Lennon married sean-nós singer Síle Ní Fhlaithearta in 1966, with whom he had 3 children and 8 grandchildren.[12][1][13] He was Maurice Lennon's uncle.[14]
Lennon died at the University Hospital Galway on 8 June 2024, at the age of 85.[15]
Select discography[edit]
Compositions[edit]
- The Twelve Pins
- The Smiling Bride
- The Road to Cashel
- Lennon's No.4
- The Handsome Young Maidens
- The Bag of Money
Recordings[edit]
- Lucky in Love
- The Emigrant Suite
- Flight from the Hungry Land
- Island Wedding
- Time for a Tune
- Aifreann Chaomháin
- Áille Na hÁille
- The Dance of the Honey Bees
- Dusk 'Till Dawn
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Charlie Lennon". www.allcelticmusic.com. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "Artists and Works Search". Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers in Israel. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d Ainsworth, Paul (9 June 2024). "Tributes paid to Irish trad musician and composer Charlie Lennon". The Irish News. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ O'Rourke, Evelyn (8 June 2024). "Irish traditional musician Charlie Lennon dies aged 85". RTÉ.
- ^ "Charlie Lennon". Féile Oriel 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "RIP Charlie Lennon (1938–2024)". The Journal of Music. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Neely, Daniel (10 June 2024). "Charlie Lennon, trad titan, 85". The Irish Echo. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "Charlie Lennon". Taisce Chois Fharraige (in Irish). Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ a b "IMRO Master Classes at Temple Bar Tradfest 2013". Irish Music Rights Organisation. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "Second Volume of Charlie Lennon Tunes". The Journal of Music. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "CHARLIE LENNON 1938-2024: Duine de mhórcheoltóirí na tíre, ar shlí na fírinne". Tuairisc.ie (in Irish). 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Charlie Lennon". ITMA. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ Ryan, Emma (10 June 2024). "President leads tributes following death of Leitrim native and Irish traditional music legend Charlie Lennon". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "Musician Mick O'Brien to be awarded highest accolade in Traditional Irish Music". TG4. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ Gleeson, Colin (9 June 2024). "Irish traditional musician Charlie Lennon has died aged 85". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
External links[edit]
- Charlie Lennon discography at Discogs
- Charlie Lennon discography at MusicBrainz
- Charlie Lennon at IMDb