His legacy will remain with us in the music which he created and brought to the world.”īorn in 1938, in Donnycarney, north of Dublin, Paddy Moloney taught himself to play the tin whistle when he was 6. His work as a producer was a contribution of great integrity, undertaken to promote the music itself at a time when the commercial benefits of doing so were limited. “Not only as a consummate musician himself, but as a founder member of Claddagh Records together with Garech de Brún, he brought a love of Irish music not just to the diaspora, but to all those across the world who heard his music and appreciated it for its own sake as it transcended all musical boundaries. “Paddy, with his extraordinary skills as an instrumentalist, notably the uileann pipes and bodhrán, was at the forefront of the renaissance of interest in Irish music, bringing a greater appreciation of Irish music and culture internationally.” “The Irish music community, and indeed the much larger community throughout the world who found such inspiration in his work, will have learnt with great sadness today of the passing of Paddy Moloney, founder and leader of the Chieftains.” President of Ireland Michael Higgins issued a statement on his official website: Moloney touched Ireland deeply with his music, his vision for community, and his infectious laugh and smile. ![]() Such wonderful memories for which I shall always cherish.” I send love and condolences to his family, friends and band.” Flautist James Galway wrote on his Twitter of his close friend Paddy: “A man with a vision and passion on bringing traditional Irish music to the masses for which we are forever indebted to. I’m so glad to have known and worked with not just a talented legend but a thoroughly lovely man. He had good humoured mischief in his eyes, divilment in his laugh and warmth in his heart. He was ours wasn’t he! He made us all so proud of our musical heritage and brought it to the world with such joyous enthusiasm, grace and energy. On her Facebook wall, the Irish musician Imelda May wrote: “I’m so sad to hear of the passing of our dearest Paddy Moloney. His innovation enabled the Chieftains to bring Irish traditional music into classical and country and rock settings.Ĭondolences from around the Irish music world have been pouring in. He was more interested in taking traditional techniques and getting “into the guts of a song” and inventing new directions in which the music might go. He founded the Chieftains in 1962, though he once told NPR that he never thought he’d play music full-time. Although Moloney might be best remembered for his spirited playing of the Uillean pipes, he also played tin whistle, button accordion, and bodhrán. Moloney acted as an ambassador for traditional Irish music, carrying it around the world with him and introducing its sounds to cultures such as China-where he played a concert at the Great Wall of China-and collaborating with artists-Roger Daltrey, Mick Jagger, Emmylou Harris, Luciano Pavoratti-from across a wide range of musical landscapes. ![]() Paddy Moloney, the founder of the Chieftains died on Monday, October 11, at the age of 83.
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