Tony MacMahon facts for kids
Tony MacMahon (born April 18, 1939 – died October 8, 2021) was a famous Irish musician. He played the diatonic button accordion, a type of accordion popular in traditional Irish music. Tony was also well-known as a radio and television presenter. He helped share Irish traditional music with many people.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
Tony MacMahon grew up in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. A big inspiration for him was another accordion player, Joe Cooley. Joe often visited the MacMahon home when Tony was young. Tony said that Joe's music was "embedded in his DNA," meaning it deeply influenced him.
In 1957, Tony moved to Dublin to train as a teacher. There, he met other talented musicians. These included accordionist Sonny Brogan and fiddler John Kelly. Later, in 1964, he traveled in North America. He shared a flat with piper and singer Seamus Ennis. Tony said Seamus helped him a lot with playing slow airs. Slow airs are beautiful, slow, and emotional traditional tunes.
Tony's Unique Playing Style
Tony MacMahon played the accordion in a style called "press-and-draw." This was the same style used by his mentor, Joe Cooley. Tony was known as a very powerful performer. He was especially good at playing slow airs. Many people saw him as a very important person in traditional music.
Sometimes, Tony had mixed feelings about his own music. He once said he didn't think his music was anything special. He felt he had "hacked his way through tunes of beauty" on stage. But his fans and other musicians thought he was amazing.
A Career in Broadcasting
Tony MacMahon had a long career with RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcaster. He first presented TV shows about traditional music. Later, he became a radio producer. He started a popular radio show called The Long Note. He also returned to TV with shows like The Pure Drop and Come West Along the Road.
In 1979, he made a TV series called The Green Linnet. This show followed Tony and banjo player Barney McKenna. They traveled through Western Europe in a green van. The van was nicknamed "The Green Linnet." Tony retired from RTÉ in 1998.
His Views on Traditional Music
Tony MacMahon often spoke out about Irish traditional music. He was worried about new trends. He especially disliked how some music was becoming too commercial. He believed music should stay true to its roots. In 1996, he gave a speech at the Crossroads Conference. In this speech, he shared his strong opinions.
In 2014, Tony announced he could not perform publicly anymore. He thought he had Parkinson's disease. However, in 2015, he shared good news. More tests showed that the first diagnosis was wrong. He did not have Parkinson's.
Tony MacMahon passed away on October 8, 2021. He left behind a great musical legacy.
Discography
Tony MacMahon released several albums during his career:
- Traditional Irish Accordion. 1972 - CD re-release 2005.
- I gCnoc na Grai (In Knocknagree) (with Noel Hill, concertina). 1985 - CD re-release 1992.
- Aislingí Ceoil (Music Of Dreams) (with Noel Hill, concertina, and Iarla Ó Lionáird, voice). 1993.
- MacMahon from Clare. 2001.
- Scaoil Amach an Pocaide - Live in Spiddal (with Steve Cooney, guitar). 2014.
- Farewell to Music. 2016.
See also
- Slán leis an gCeol - A 2019 documentary film about Tony MacMahon's life.
Source
The Companion to Irish Traditional Music, edited by Fintan Vallely, New York University Press, 1999; ISBN: 0-8147-8802-5.
