Paddy Keenan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paddy Keenan
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| Background information | |
| Born | 30 January 1950 Trim, County Meath, Ireland |
| Genres | Celtic Folk |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Uilleann Pipes, Tin Whistle |
| Years active | 1964 – present |
| Associated acts | Bothy Band, The Bucks, Tommy O'Sullivan |
Paddy Keenan (born January 30, 1950) is a famous Irish musician. He plays the uilleann pipes, which are a special type of Irish bagpipes. Paddy first became well-known as a founding member of a band called The Bothy Band.
After that band stopped playing together in the late 1970s, Paddy Keenan started making his own music. He has released many solo albums and worked with other musicians. He still travels and performs, sometimes by himself and sometimes with singer and guitarist Tommy O'Sullivan.
Contents
Paddy Keenan's Life Story
Growing Up and Learning Music
Paddy Keenan was born in Trim, County Meath, Ireland, in 1950. His father, John Keenan, was an Irish Traveller, and his mother, Mary Bravender Keenan, was from a settled family. Even though his family stopped traveling when Paddy was young, he faced challenges because of his background.
Both his father and grandfather played the pipes. His father often played music with another famous piper named Johnny Doran. When Paddy was about six years old, his brother Johnny taught him to play the tin whistle. Paddy started playing the uilleann pipes when he was about nine.
His father, John, taught Paddy how to play. He also taught other children, like Finbar Furey and Davy Spillane. Their home was often filled with music, like an ongoing music session.
When he was fourteen, Paddy played his first big concert at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. After that, he toured for a few years with musicians, including his father. Their group was called "The Pavees."
At seventeen, Paddy went to England. He played music on the streets of London, singing and playing blues and rock songs on his guitar. After almost giving up his pipes, he found that playing them on the street earned him more money. So, he started playing the pipes again in 1971.
Joining Bands and The Bothy Band
When Paddy returned to Dublin, he often played music with his brothers and father. They performed at folk clubs and other places around Ireland. In 1975, he joined a band called 'Seachtar'. This name means 'seven people' in Irish.
This band later became The Bothy Band. Paddy Keenan was a very important member of this group from when it started until it ended in 1979.
Starting a Solo Music Career
Paddy Keenan released his first solo album in 1975. It was simply called Paddy Keenan. In 1978, he also made an album called Doublin' with fiddler Paddy Glackin. He then recorded another solo album, Poirt An Phiobaire, in 1983.
In the 1990s, Paddy moved to North America. There, he found his musical passion again. In 1997, he released Na Keen Affair. This album featured other great musicians like Tommy Peoples and Patrick Moran on fiddle. Arty McGlynn and Tommy O'Sullivan played guitar.
This led to Paddy working often with guitarist Tommy O'Sullivan. In 2001, they released an album together called The Long Grazing Acre. They also toured to promote the album. Paddy and Tommy have continued to perform together since then.
In 2008, a documentary film called Dambé: The Mali Project was made. It showed Paddy's amazing musical journey across 3000 miles with Liam Ó Maonlaí and friends. They explored different cultures through music and performed at the Festival au Désert.
Paddy's Pipes and Their Makers
When Paddy showed he was good at playing the pipes around age ten, his father got him a full set of pipes from a maker named John Clarks. Six years later, in 1966, Paddy's father bought him another full set. These pipes were made by the Crowley family. Paddy played this set, with a special chanter made by Leo Rowsome, until the year 2000.
In 2000, Paddy received a new full set of pipes from a maker named Dave Williams from Grimsby, England. Dave Williams sadly passed away a few years later. This new set of pipes was a copy of Paddy's old Crowley set. It is still Paddy's main instrument today. He uses a chanter made of boxwood by David Quinn with this set.
Music Albums (Discography)
Solo Albums
- Paddy Keenan (1975)
- Poirt An Phiobaire (1983)
- Ná Keen Affair (1997)
With Paddy Glackin
- Doublin' (1978)
With Tommy O'Sullivan
- The Long Grazing Acre (2001)
As a Member of The Bucks
- Dancin' To The Ceili Band (1994)
As a Member of Éire Japan
With Frankie Gavin and Junji Shirota
- Éire Japan (2015)
See also The Bothy Band Discography
Listen to Paddy Play
- Reels: Scotch Mary/Earls Chair/Pigeon on the Gate
- Air: Johnny's Tune, For The Avalon
