Bap Kennedy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bap Kennedy
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Martin Christopher Kennedy |
| Born | 17 June 1962 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 1 November 2016 (aged 54) Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, harmonica |
| Years active | 1978–2016 |
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Martin Christopher Kennedy (born June 17, 1962 – died November 1, 2016), known as Bap Kennedy, was a talented singer and songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was famous for working with other well-known musicians like Steve Earle, Van Morrison, and Mark Knopfler. Bap also wrote the song "Moonlight Kiss," which was featured in the movie Serendipity.
Before his solo career, Kennedy was part of the rock band Energy Orchard for many years. He later released several successful solo albums, including Domestic Blues, The Big Picture, and The Sailor's Revenge. During his solo career, he toured the US and Europe with Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits, who also helped produce his 2012 album The Sailor's Revenge.
Contents
Bap Kennedy's Music Journey
Starting Out: 10 Past 7 (1978–1987)
Bap Kennedy started his first band, called Sellout, in 1978 when he was 16. Later, in 1980, he formed the band 10 Past 7. This band gained national attention when they appeared on a TV music show called The Tube in 1983. 10 Past 7 released two singles before Bap moved to London to try for a bigger record deal.
Energy Orchard Years (1987–1996)
After moving to London, Bap Kennedy formed the band Energy Orchard in 1987. He was the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter for the band. All the band members were originally from Belfast, just like Bap.
Energy Orchard signed a major record deal in 1988. They released several albums and became well-known for their live performances in London. The band also toured widely across the UK, Europe, and America. They even opened for famous artists like Van Morrison and Steve Earle. Energy Orchard broke up in 1996 after a farewell concert in London.
Bap Kennedy's Solo Career
Domestic Blues and Steve Earle (1998–2000)
After Energy Orchard ended, Bap Kennedy received a call from Steve Earle. Earle offered to produce Bap's first solo album. Bap then traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to record his album.
His first solo album, Domestic Blues, came out in 1998. Steve Earle helped produce it and also played guitar and sang backing vocals. Other talented musicians also played on the album. All the songs on Domestic Blues were written by Bap, except for one by Steve Earle. Earle even called Bap "the best songwriter I ever saw." The album was very popular and received good reviews.
Some songs from Domestic Blues were used in movies. For example, "Vampire" was in the film You Can Count on Me, which won an award at the Sundance Film Festival. Three other songs were used in the movie Southie.
Bap Kennedy also developed a strong interest in the music of Hank Williams. He even recorded an album of Hank Williams' songs called Hillbilly Shakespeare.
Lonely Street and "Moonlight Kiss" (2000–2005)
After returning to the UK, Bap Kennedy wrote Lonely Street. This album was a concept album inspired by the lives of his musical heroes, Hank Williams and Elvis Presley.
The album, released in 2000, featured Herbie Flowers on bass guitar. Herbie Flowers is famous for playing on Lou Reed's song "Walk on the Wild Side". Bap's song "Moonlight Kiss" from this album was later used in the popular Hollywood movie Serendipity, starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.
After Lonely Street was released, Bap spent several years touring. He performed with artists like Shane MacGowan from The Pogues.
The Big Picture and Van Morrison (2005–2009)
Bap Kennedy's next album was The Big Picture. Shane MacGowan, the lead singer of The Pogues, sang on one of Bap's songs, "On the Mighty Ocean Alcohol."
This album also marked a return to working with Van Morrison, who had supported Bap since his Energy Orchard days. The album was recorded at Van Morrison's studio. It included the song "Milky Way," which Bap and Van Morrison wrote together. The Big Picture was released in 2005 and received positive reviews.
After this album, Mark Knopfler, the former frontman of Dire Straits, asked Bap to open for his concerts. This led to Bap touring with Mark Knopfler across the US and Europe, including several shows at London's famous Royal Albert Hall.
Howl On and Glastonbury (2009–2012)
Bap Kennedy's 2009 album, Howl On, was another concept album. This time, it looked back at the Space Race of the late 1960s. Bap explored the lives of the astronauts and scientists involved in the Apollo program.
The album included a cover of "Hey Joe", a song famously performed by Jimi Hendrix at the Woodstock Festival. The song also featured guest guitarist Henry McCullough, who was the only Irishman to play at Woodstock.
Howl On received good reviews and was followed by a successful tour. Bap performed at the South by Southwest festival and the 2009 Glastonbury Festival.
The Sailor's Revenge and Mark Knopfler (2012–2014)
In 2011, Bap Kennedy recorded a new album called The Sailor's Revenge. It was produced by Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits at his studio in London. Bap and Mark worked closely on this project for two years. Mark Knopfler not only produced the album but also helped choose the songs and played guitar on many tracks.
The album featured several musicians from Mark Knopfler's touring band. It was released in 2012 and received great reviews around the world. Many critics called it a "masterpiece." The album was supported by tours with Mark Knopfler in the US, UK, and Europe.
Let's Start Again (2014–2016)
After the more serious tone of The Sailor's Revenge, Bap Kennedy created a more upbeat album called Let's Start Again. He recorded this album in his home country of Northern Ireland. It was produced by Mudd Wallace, a long-time friend who had worked with Bap's early band, 10 Past 7. Bap's wife, Brenda Kennedy, played bass guitar and sang backing vocals on the album.
The album was released internationally on CD and vinyl and received widespread praise from critics.
Reckless Heart (2016)
Bap Kennedy's final album, Reckless Heart, was recorded in early 2016, just weeks before he received a serious health diagnosis. Like his previous album, it was recorded in Northern Ireland and featured his wife, Brenda, and other musicians from his live band.
The album was released after Bap's passing and has also received widespread positive reviews.
Bap Kennedy's Personal Life
Martin Christopher Kennedy was born on June 17, 1962. He was the brother of singer Brian Kennedy. The family grew up in Falls Road, Belfast, during a difficult time in Northern Ireland's history known as the Troubles. Bap got his nickname from a local bakery's bread rolls, called "baps."
In 1985, Bap left Northern Ireland and worked as a builder in London before becoming a professional musician. While living in England, he also became a qualified diamond gemmologist.
In 2007, Bap moved back to Northern Ireland. He met Brenda Boyd, an author and former lawyer, at a songwriting workshop. They married in 2008. Brenda has sung backing vocals on four of Bap's albums and was a regular member of his live band.
Through his marriage to Brenda, Bap became a stepfather. His family's connection to autism and Asperger syndrome led him and Brenda to become co-patrons of the charity Autism NI in 2010. Bap later shared on his blog that he had also been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, which he felt helped his creativity. Outside of music, Bap was very interested in the Apollo space program, which inspired his 2009 album Howl On.
Bap Kennedy's Health Battle
In May 2016, Bap Kennedy started a blog to share updates about his health after a sudden cancer diagnosis. He sadly passed away on November 1, 2016, in Belfast. He had been receiving care for pancreatic and bowel cancer.
Bap Kennedy's Music Albums
Recorded with Energy Orchard
- Energy Orchard (1990)
- Stop the Machine (1992)
- Shinola (1993)
- Pain Killer (1995)
- Orchardville (1996)
Solo Releases
- Domestic Blues (1998)
- Hillbilly Shakespeare (1999)
- Lonely Street (2000)
- Rare Live & Bladdered (2000)
- Long Time a Comin: The Story So Far (2002)
- Moriarty's Blues (Standard Edition EP and Special Edition EP) (2005)
- The Big Picture (2005)
- Howl On (July 2009)
- The Sailor's Revenge (2012)
- Let's Start Again (2014)
- Reckless Heart (2016)
