Bobby Clancy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bobby Clancy
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Bobby Clancy in 1970.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Joseph Clancy |
| Born | 11 May 1927 |
| Origin | Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland |
| Died | 6 September 2002 (aged 75) Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland |
| Genres | Folk, traditional Irish |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, banjo, guitar, harmonica, bodhrán |
| Years active | 1950s–2002 |
| Associated acts | The Clancy Brothers, The Clancys and Eddie Dillon, Cherish the Ladies |
Bobby Clancy (born Robert Joseph Clancy Jr.) was an Irish singer and musician. He was born on May 11, 1927, and passed away on September 6, 2002. Bobby was famous for being a member of The Clancy Brothers. They were one of the most popular and important Irish folk music groups. Bobby played many instruments, including the five-string banjo, guitar, bodhrán (a traditional Irish drum), and harmonica.
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Bobby Clancy's Early Life
Bobby Clancy was born in Carrick-on-Suir, a town in County Tipperary, Ireland. His parents were Robert J. Clancy and Johanna McGrath. He had a twin sister named Joan.
In the late 1940s, Bobby left home to join the Royal Air Force (RAF). He traveled across Europe, visiting places like Greece and Egypt. During his travels, he learned many folk songs. Later, he joined his older brothers, Paddy Clancy and Tom Clancy, in New York City. They were working as actors there. Sometimes, the three brothers would sing together, which was the informal start of what became The Clancy Brothers.
In 1955, Bobby returned to Ireland. He decided to settle down and manage his father's insurance business. While he was in Ireland, his youngest brother, Liam Clancy, took his place in America. Liam officially formed the group called Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem with Paddy, Tom, and their friend Tommy Makem.
Bobby's Solo Music Career
Even though his brothers formed a famous group, Bobby started his own music career. He performed by himself and also in two duos. One duo was with his sister, Peg Clancy. The other was with an American folk singer named Sharon Collen.
Bobby and his sister Peg Clancy (also known as Peg Power) recorded two albums together. These were "Songs From Ireland" in 1962 and As We Roved Out in 1964. They also toured as a duo and appeared on several Irish TV shows in the 1960s. Bobby also had his own TV series in Ireland called When Bobby Clancy Sings.
In the mid-1960s, Bobby married Moira Mooney, who was a school teacher. They had four children: three daughters named Aoife, Roisin, and Aideen, and one son named Finbarr. Two of his children, Aoife Clancy and Finbarr Clancy, became Irish folk singers too. In 2007, his son Finbarr joined the popular group The High Kings.
Bobby Joins The Clancy Brothers
In 1969, Tommy Makem left The Clancy Brothers. This was when Bobby officially joined the group for the first time. The four brothers – Paddy, Tom, Bobby, and Liam – recorded three studio albums together. These albums included Clancy Brothers Christmas, Flowers in the Valley, and Welcome to Our House.
Bobby's first time with The Clancy Brothers did not last very long. He later went back to his solo work. He released his own album called Good Times When Bobby Clancy Sings in 1974. He also appeared on a live album from a German Folk Festival that same year.
In 1976, The Clancy Brothers group took a break for a few months. Liam Clancy and Louis Killen left the group. Paddy and Tom decided to pause their performances. In 1977, plans were made to bring the group back together. Paddy and Tom asked Bobby to join again. The three brothers then asked their nephew, Robbie O'Connell, to join them.
This new group of four toured part-time. They would perform for about three months each year, usually in March, August, and November, only in the United States. They released two live albums: Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell Live! in 1982 and Tunes and Tales of Ireland in 1988. For the rest of the year, Bobby continued to run his insurance business in Ireland. He also kept performing solo in Ireland.
Youngest brother Liam Clancy rejoined Bobby, Paddy, and Robbie in 1990. This was after their brother Tom became ill and passed away in November 1990. The Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell, now with Paddy, Bobby, and Liam, performed more often. They appeared on many TV shows in America and Ireland. They even performed at Bob Dylan's The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration in 1992.
In late 1995, the group released their first studio album in over 20 years, called Older But No Wiser. Bobby's wife, Moira, came up with the title for this album. Soon after the album came out, Liam Clancy and Robbie O'Connell left the group. Bobby and Paddy continued performing with Bobby's son Finbarr Clancy and their friend Eddie Dillon. This new group toured until November 1998, when Paddy passed away.
Later Years and Passing
After Paddy's passing, the group became a trio: Bobby, Finbarr Clancy, and Eddie Dillon. They recorded two live albums: Clancy Sing-a-Long Songs and Once in a Lifetime: An Evening of Fine Irish Music. Bobby Clancy also released two more solo albums, The Quiet Land in 1999 and Make Me a Cup in 2000.
In 1999, Bobby was diagnosed with a lung condition called pulmonary fibrosis. By 2000, he could no longer perform while standing up. The trio had to do all their concerts sitting down. By March 2002, he was too unwell to perform and had to stop touring. Bobby Clancy passed away on September 6, 2002, at the age of 75. He left behind his twin sister, other siblings, his wife, four children, and two grandchildren.
Bobby Clancy's Solo Albums
Here are some of the albums Bobby Clancy released on his own or as a guest:
- 1962 – So Early in the Morning
- 1963 – Peg & Bobby Clancy: Songs From Ireland
- 1964 – As We Roved Out
- 1974 – Irish Folk Festival
- 1974 – Good Times When Bobby Clancy Sings
- 1999 – The Quiet Land
- 1999 – Clancy Sing Along Songs
- 1999 – Cherish the Ladies: At Home
- 2000 – Cherish the Ladies: The Girls Won't Leave the Boys Alone
- 2000 – Make Me a Cup
- 2001 – Once in a Lifetime: An Evening of Fine Irish Music
- 2002 – Aoife Clancy: Silvery Moon
You can find more of his appearances on The Clancy Brothers Discography.
