Mic Christopher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mic Christopher
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Christopher live at Whelan's, 2001
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Michael Christopher
21 September 1969 Bronx, New York City, U.S.
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| Died | 29 November 2001 (aged 32) Groningen, Netherlands
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| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Known for | The Mary Janes |
Michael "Mic" Christopher (born September 21, 1969 – died November 29, 2001) was a talented Irish singer and songwriter. He is best known for his first solo album, Skylarkin', which was released after his death.
Contents
Early Life and Music
Michael Christopher was born in The Bronx, New York City. His parents, Harry and Vaun, were from Ireland. In 1972, when Mic was very young, his family moved back to Dublin, Ireland. He went to school at Coláiste Chilliain in Clondalkin.
Mic started playing traditional Irish music with school groups. When he was about 15, he began busking, which means performing music in public places for tips. For the next five years, Mic busked in Dublin. He became friends with many other musicians there, including brothers Karl and David Odlum and Glen Hansard.
Mic's Music Journey
In 1990, Mic Christopher formed a band called The Mary Janes. He started the band with Karl Odlum, who was also a busker and had played bass for the band Kíla. Simon Good joined on guitar and Steven Hogan on drums.
The band's members changed over the years. Eventually, they became a three-person group without a drummer. This version of the band recorded their first album, Bored of Their Laughing. In 1994, The Mary Janes signed a deal with Warner-Chappell, a music publisher. In 1996, Mark Stanley joined as their drummer. This lineup recorded their second album, Sham, in 1998.
The Mary Janes played at many big music festivals. These included Feile and Fleadh in Ireland, Glastonbury Festival in England, and CMJ in New York City. The band also spent six weeks performing in Bosnia to support the War Child charity. The Mary Janes broke up in 1999. After that, Mic went on a three-month solo tour in Victoria, Australia.
In 2001, Mic had recovered from a motorbike accident. He then released his solo music, an EP called Heyday. He also announced that he would be touring with the famous band The Waterboys.
A Sad Farewell
Mic Christopher was on tour with The Waterboys in 2001. On November 16, 2001, they performed in Groningen, Netherlands. After his performance, Mic was found unconscious. He had fallen and hit his head on some steps.
He was taken to a local hospital but fell into a coma due to a serious head injury. Mic never woke up and passed away on November 29, 2001.
Skylarkin' Album
Before his death, Mic Christopher was working on his first solo album. He had titled it Skylarkin' and had made notes on how to finish the songs.
In November 2002, Mic's friends and family worked together to complete the album. It was then released as Mic's first and only solo album. Skylarkin' later won the award for Best Album at the 2003 Meteor Awards. Mic's family accepted the award on his behalf.
Mic's Lasting Impact
Mic Christopher's music and spirit continue to inspire others:
- Glen Hansard of The Frames has dedicated each of his band's albums to Mic. When they play Mic's song "Heyday" live, they dedicate it to him.
- Damien Rice dedicated his album O to Mic. This album was released just eight weeks after Mic's death.
- Lisa Hannigan dedicated the song "Splishy Splashy" to Mic on her first album, Sea Sew (2008).
- Rónán Ó Snodaigh from Kíla wrote the song "The dream I haven't shown her" for Mic. They had co-written a song called "Friends" and shared a flat.
- In 2021, The Mary Janes released a song called "Heartbreaker" that had not been recorded before. It was about Mic.
- Also in 2021, Mic's friends and family held a tribute concert called Happy Birthday Mic Christopher at Whelans in Dublin. On September 21, 2021, a live album that Mic recorded in 2001 was released.
Mic's Music
Studio Albums
- Skylarkin' (2002)
Live Albums
- Live at the Lobby (2021)
