[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 1914-1915]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF PADDY CLANCY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a 
music legend, Paddy Clancy of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. The 
Clancy Brothers were one of the first Irish musical groups to achieve 
international notoriety. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem created 
numerous hit songs in the 1960's.
  Paddy Clancy was born in Carrick-on-Suir in Tipperary county to a 
family of nine, all of

[[Page 1915]]

whom were musically inclined. In the 1950's he and his brother Tommy 
emigrated to New York to pursue acting careers. It seemed the brothers 
were destined however, to make their mark not as thespians but as 
musicians. Later, their brother Liam was to join Paddy and Tom, with 
Tommy Makem they created The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. The 
Clancy Brothers were known for their incredible harmonies and their 
energetic concerts. These talents were quickly recognized, and they 
built a loyal fan base, playing folk clubs in Greenwich Village.
  In 1961 they gained national notoriety following an incredible 16-
minute set on The Ed Sullivan Show. Their music defied definition. It 
was both beautiful and raucous at once. They blended American folk 
music with traditional Irish forms. Paddy was equally capable of 
singing an Irish drinking song or an elegant ballad. Paddy and the 
Clancies also performed with Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand. The 
Clancies were able to expose Americans to the glorious music of Ireland 
and still incorporate American folk into their music.
  Ladies and gentlemen, the contributions made by Paddy Clancy to music 
were incredible. I ask you to join me today in remembering this fine 
musician.

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